Mets Notebook: Carlos Carrasco returns from injury to face former team  —  After securing a series win against MLB-best Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets began a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians — who came across a familiar face.  —  Carlos Carrasco made his return from the injured list against his former team Friday.

The similarities between Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe and Reds shortstop Matt McLain  —  As they were growing up, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Matt McLain and New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe were both the star players on every team they ever played on.

Jamal Murray's big fourth quarter propels Nuggets past Lakers 108-103 for 2-0 lead in West finals  —  DENVER — Jamal Murray scored 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a 108-103 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Jimmy Butler scores 27, Heat beat Celtics 111-105 to take 2-0 lead in East Conference Finals  —  BOSTON — Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, hitting a pair of buckets to give the Heat the lead after they erased a double-digit, fourth-quarter deficit and Miami beat Boston 111-105 on Friday night …

Nevada lawmakers balk at A's $395M price tag; deal dependent on county funding  —  Nevada lawmakers have not yet introduced legislation to bring the Oakland A's to Las Vegas because they are only willing to contribute up to $195 million in transferable tax credits for stadium construction funding …

Aaron Judge stays hot as Nestor Cortes improves in series-clinching win over Jays  —  TORONTO — The Yankees and Blue Jays played another tight game Thursday, but the Bombers left Canada with a 4-2 victory and a series win after four games north of the border.

Diamondbacks Lead Trio of Unlikely NL Wild Contenders  —  It's still early but if season ended today, D-backs, Pirates, & Marlins would be the NL Wild Cards  —  ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS PITTSBURGH PIRATES MIAMI MARLINS NEW YORK METS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES  —  Just past the quarter pole in the MLB season …

Pete Alonso hits 3-run, walk-off homer to secure rollercoaster win against Rays in extra innings  —  The kids put the Mets on their backs on Wednesday and slugger Pete Alonso landed the final blow to secure a 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings.

MLB front office intel: 27 prospect names you don't know but should  —  One of the most exciting parts of the first few months of the minor-league season is when prospects break out and perform at a level they never have before.  As prospects make adjustments and improve …

Cincinnati Reds City Connect uniforms: A Q&A on the details  —  When the Cincinnati Reds began designing their new City Connect uniforms, which they'll wear on the field for the first time this weekend against the New York Yankees, Reds vice president of marketing and communications Ralph Mitchell thought …

Ranking baseball's best players at every age from 16 to 25  —  Between prospect lists and the upcoming MLB draft, it can be difficult to track all of the players coming to the majors in the near future.  When you expand it to all of the various talent pools around the world, the task becomes even more daunting.

Chicago Cubs blow late 5-run lead in disastrous walk-off loss.  Can the bullpen — and Keegan Thompson — get back on track?  —  HOUSTON — Ten disastrous minutes separated the Chicago Cubs from the cusp of ending a season-high losing streak to their worst loss of the season.