Way-too-early Red Sox-Indians playoff preview  —  Six weeks remain in the 2018 regular season, then all trackers roll back to zero and the wonderful anarchy of the postseason begins.  How will this October look?  We don't know.  Much is left to be settled between now and the end of September.

Is Victor Alcantara a thing?  What we learned about the Detroit Tigers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — That was a tough series, for the Detroit Tigers and for those who watched the games.  —  This is the American League Central division these days, save the Indians.  Remember, the Twins attacked …

NY Mets seem inclined to pass on promoting standout prospect Peter Alonso  —  Mickey Callaway provides an update on Brandon Nimmo's index finger Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  PHILADELPHIA - As the Mets use Wilmer Flores and Jose Bautista at first base, the first player …

'It's grind time:' Cubs facing a stretch of 23 games without a day off  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon's annual American Legion Week can't last long enough for the Cubs after they embark Tuesday on an ominous stretch of 23 games without a scheduled day off.

Power Rankings: Sizzling sluggers shake things up  —  This week, there were some things you probably know are not about to change.  The Red Sox are a unanimous No. 1 again, which isn't a surprise.  And the Yankees, Astros and Indians are still all piled up behind them …

The 100s tracker: Can Red Sox stay on record-setting pace?  —  The 100-win pace club is dwindling.  The Astros are now on pace for just 97 wins, knocking them out of the club.  That would still be tied for third most in a season in franchise history but would still leave them short of joining the club.

Danny Jansen leaves injury troubles behind as historic Blue Jays debut continues  —  NEW YORK - In his first week as a major leaguer, Danny Jansen has handled seasoned pitchers like they are the rookies.  —  The catcher is batting .412 (7-for-17) with his first MLB home run already under his belt.

Cardinals-Dodgers Preview  —  LOS ANGELES — With some newfound momentum gained during a successful homestand, the St. Louis Cardinals will now take their positive energy on the road.  —  The Dodgers have been searching for consistency in August but appear to be feeling confident …

Braves Select Bryse Wilson, Designate Ryan Flaherty, Outright Chad Bell  —  The Braves have selected the contract of right-hander Bryse Wilson from Triple-A Gwinnett, tweets David O'Brien of The Athletic.  The Braves have since announced that he'll start tonight's game in place of Kevin Gausman …

Verlander 200th W, Astros 5 HRs, top A's 9-4 to avoid sweep  —  The Astros won for the second time in nine games.  The Athletics had won 13 of their past 16 games to draw even with Houston.  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Justin Verlander pitched just well enough to earn his 200th career win …

Cabrera hits grand slam as Indians beat Orioles 8-0  —  The Cleveland Indians showed off their power and pitching Sunday.  —  CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Indians showed off their power and pitching Sunday.  —  Melky Cabrera hit a grand slam to cap a six-run fourth inning …

Misery meter on rise for some MLB teams as October looms  —  With five weeks left in baseball's regular season, we're wondering not so much which teams will be the last ones standing in October, but which will suffer the most misery by not getting to the playoffs.

Giancarlo Stanton could get some closure in Miami as Yankees slugger adamant he wants to play against Marlins  —  Giancarlo Stanton did not take the dismantling of the Marlins quietly.  The slugger was pointed in his comments to new team part-owner Derek Jeter about giving the old Marlins …

New York Yankees by-the-numbers for Monday, August 20  —  NEW YORK - While we're waiting for the update on Didi Gregorius's left heel injury - as well as trying to figure out exactly when Aaron Judge will return to the Yankees lineup - here's some by-the-numbers for a Monday: