Yankees-White Sox deal worth it for Brian Cashman, but GM still has major hole to fill  —  In 2015 the Royals won a championship with a starting rotation that ranked 12th in the American League, pitching to a 4.34 ERA.  As improbable as that sounds, it was possible because the Royals …

Royals' Hammel hopes to put heat on Tigers (Jul 19, 2017)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The forecast calls for 90-plus degrees with the heat index a few degrees hotter when Kansas City Royals right-hander Jason Hammel throws his first pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Contreras, Lackey power Cubs past Braves, 5-1  —  ATLANTA (AP) - Willson Contreras hit a three-run homer, John Lackey earned his first win in a month and the Chicago Cubs won their fifth straight game with a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.  —  Rain delayed the start of the game for 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Gattis homers twice to lead Astros over Mariners, 6-2 (Jul 18, 2017)  —  HOUSTON (AP) Evan Gattis homered twice to back up a solid start by Brad Peacock and help the Houston Astros to a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.  —  Gattis hit solo shots in the second …

Bryce Harper goes 4-for-4, outduels Mike Trout in Nationals win over Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Bryce Harper hit a long, impressive homer over Mike Trout's head the first inning.  A few minutes later, Trout hit a homer of similar length and impressiveness.

MLB execs: Get ready for a trade-deadline dash  —  During the runup to Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, a central theme invariably emerges.  In 2016, the media hyperventilated over the fate of three difference-making relievers — Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Mark Melancon.

Cardinals target .500, look to take series from Mets (Jul 19, 2017)  —  NEW YORK — The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets are both near “round number” statistical achievements neither team really wanted to be associated with by July 19.  —  But at least the Cardinals can measure some progress by looking at their record.

Davies goes for 12th win as Brewers take on Pirates (Jul 19, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Zach Davies takes a gaudy 11-4 record into his Wednesday start against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.  —  His ERA is eye-popping, as well, but not in a good way.  It stands at 5.08.

Rays rally in 9th off Casilla to beat Athletics 4-3 (Jul 18, 2017)  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Tampa Bay hasn't been so close to first place this late in the season since 2013, and Rays manager Kevin Cash wants his players to soak it up and enjoy every minute of it.

Franco hits tiebreaking homer in 8th to lift Phillies  —  MIAMI (AP) — Maikel Franco had a different approach during batting practice before the game and it paid off.  —  Franco had three hits, including a tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning, to help lift the Philadelphia Phillies …

Dodgers are soliciting sponsorship offers for naming rights to field at Dodger Stadium  —  Fans watch a fireworks show after the game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on July 4.  (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)  —  Mike Scioscia called Dodger Stadium home …