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.

Stephen Strasburg expected to make next start - but Nationals will have contingencies  —  Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his next start, manager Dusty Baker told reporters Tuesday, although the Washington Nationals will make contingency plans in the event their All-Star right-hander has complications in throwing sessions.

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.

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 …

Mets look to pick on rebuilding Padres (Jul 25, 2017)  —  SAN DIEGO — The present shows the New York Mets taking on the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.  —  However, the Padres take the Petco Park field thinking more about the future.  That was clear Monday when they made a multiplayer trade with the Kansas City Royals.

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.

Grichuk, Leake lead Cardinals to an 8-2 win over Rockies (Jul 24, 2017)  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer, Mike Leake pitched seven scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Monday night.  —  Leake's six-strikeout performance …

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.