Two 3-run homers spark Pittsburgh Pirates' rout of San Francisco Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen likes the direction his team's offense is taking lately.  —  At AT&T Park the past three seasons, that direction often has been out of the ballpark.

Rangers ready to move ace Yu Darvish in ‘right deal’  —  The Texas Rangers are ready to move ace pitcher Yu Darvish.  All it's going to take is someone to meet their asking price.  —  Sources told ESPN.com that Rangers general manager Jon Daniels began calling potential suitors Monday …

Dodgers look to beat Twins again with Kershaw on DL (Jul 25, 2017)  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers watched their best pitcher walk off the field in pain Sunday afternoon and then saw his name pop up on the 10-day disabled list on Monday.  —  Even that setback hasn't slowed the team down.

Paxton, Seager pace Mariners past Red Sox, 4-0 (Jul 24, 2017)  —  SEATTLE (AP) James Paxton allowed four singles over seven innings to win his fifth consecutive start in July and Kyle Seager homered to pace the Seattle Mariners to a 4-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

LEADING OFF: Stanton surges, Devers debuts, Gray auditions  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors Tuesday:  —  GIANT GIANCARLO  —  Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton has hit six home runs in seven games and is tied with Yankees rookie Aaron Judge for most in the majors at 32.

How the Royals became the streakiest team in baseball  —  If there was a better way to explain this, Royals manager Ned Yost would do more than just shrug his shoulders and offer his sport's equivalent of what the heck.  —  “It's baseball,” he says.  —  If there was a better way to explain this …

Ranking all 20 Cubs-White Sox City Series  —  A look back at the series between the Cubs and White Sox (1997-2016).  The White Sox lead the regular-season series 57-51.  Take the quiz.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Paul Sullivan ranks all 20 of the Cubs-White Sox City Series.

Altuve 4 hits for 2nd day in row, Astros rout Phillies 13-4  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Like any good magician, Jose Altuve isn't sharing his secrets.  —  Once again turning his bat into a wand of sorts, Altuve had four hits for the second consecutive game, extending his hitting streak to 16 games …

Martinez, Pollock, Greinke power Diamondbacks past Braves  —  PHOENIX (AP) - J.D. Martinez's time as an Arizona Diamondback started a little rough.  Last week in his debut with the team, he was hit in the hand with a pitch, and didn't return to the starting lineup until Monday night.

Liriano gets first win in three starts, Jays beat A's 4-2  —  TORONTO (AP) — Pressed into service on short rest after a pair of abbreviated outings, Francisco Liriano gave the Blue Jays the strong start they sorely needed.  —  Liriano pitched five innings to win for the first time in three starts …

Giancarlo Stanton's two home runs lead Miami Marlins over Texas Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Scratch another park off the list for Giancarlo Stanton.  —  The Miami slugger clubbed two home runs to back a masterful outing by Adam Conley in the Marlins' 4-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Globe Life Park.

Brewers can correct skid with a splash at the deadline  —  The character-building rough patch that everyone had predicted for the Milwaukee Brewers finally arrived during a recent series at PNC Park.  Clutch hits failed to materialize for Milwaukee, flares kept dropping for Pittsburgh …

Yanks on rise entering homestand opener vs. Reds (Jul 25, 2017)  —  NEW YORK — Late in the afternoon of July 9, the New York Yankees went their separate ways for a four-day All-Star break following another frustrating loss.  —  The Yankees stumbled into the break with 17 losses in 25 games …

Cardinals promote Bader as Fowler hits DL with arm injury  —  ST. LOUIS  • When the Cardinals discussed promoting Harrison Bader to the majors earlier this month, the one concern they had was the playing time that would be awaiting him when he arrived.  —  They couldn't guarantee it would be much, not in a short-term promotion.