Iowa Cubs plan to extend netting for 2020 season  —  When the Iowa Cubs added precautionary netting to extend to each end of both Principal Park dugouts back in 2016, team president/general manager Sam Bernabe did it with the intention of one day extending the nets even farther.

Arizona Diamondbacks' continued losses could lead to trade of Zack Greinke  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the most important stretch of their season.  —  In the immediate term, they're in the thick of a six-game homestand against the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.

J.A. Happ is still the perfect pitcher for the Yankees to throw at the Red Sox  —  This is what he is here for.  The Yankees went out and traded for J.A. Happ last season to beat the Red Sox.  The lefty had a remarkable track record against them and plenty of experience against the rest of the American League East.

Texas Rangers fall to Royals to open 11-game homestand  —  The Texas Rangers have played well at home all season, and had every reason for optimism beginning an 11-game homestand on Thursday night.  —  They were facing a Kansas City Royals team that had lost three straight, and six of their last seven.

Waiting and working while not starting, backup Wieters swats another homer vs. Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — At least once a series, veteran catcher Matt Wieters likes to get on the field and take batting practice against a pitching machine to get a feel for the ballpark and its background.

Giants avoid sweep by Marlins, beat Miami 3-1  —  Fish take 2 out of 3  —  MIAMI - Brandon Crawford hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants broke a seven-game losing streak by rallying past the Miami Marlins 3-1 Thursday.

Chicago White Sox beat Cleveland Indians 10-4 for season-high 4th straight win  —  Carlos Carrasco gave up six runs on 10 hits to fall to 4-6 on the season.  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Yonder Alonso and José Abreu each hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 10-4 …

Angels roll to rare easy victory after scoring in first 5 innings  —  SEATTLE — The Angels desperately needed a game like this.  —  The Angels started scoring early and often and cruised to a 9-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night, the first time since May 11 that they'd won …

Cody Bellinger Was Already Good.  Then He Changed His Swing.  —  PITTSBURGH — The fly-ball revolution began with desperate players hoping to extend their careers with dramatic changes to their swings.  Players like Justin Turner, nontendered by the New York Mets after the 2013 season …

How will Kris Bryant be greeted in ‘boring’ St. Louis?  —  ST. LOUIS — Perhaps St. Louis sports fans will be distracted by the Stanley Cup Final, forgetting that the Chicago Cubs and Kris Bryant will be in town for a weekend series.  It's the first time Bryant will be in St. Louis since famously calling …

Braves broadcasters will move into stands for Friday's game  —  The Fox Sports South broadcast team will change positions Friday night, calling the Braves' game against the Detroit Tigers from the right-field stands rather than the press box.  —  Chip Caray, Jeff Francoeur and Tom Glavine …

MLB Weekend Watch: What we're excited to see — and why  —  It's a big weekend with Yankees-Red Sox, Cubs-Cardinals, Dodgers-Phillies and Astros-A's.  And what series has the highest combined win total?  Twins-Rays at the Trop, of course.  —  Here's what we're most excited to see: