Three weekend series that impact the MLB pennant race  —  Baseball's contenders face a crucial stretch as we enter the middle of August.  —  The American League East and Central are still very much in play, while six teams are within four games for the two wild card spots.

Mets official blasts Yankees on deadline deals that weren't made … PHILADELPHIA — Next week's Subway Series could have an added vibe, with the Mets and Yankees sparring at the organizational level over trades that weren't made in recent weeks.  —  Jay Bruce's trade to the Indians earlier …

Mike Trout comes through in 9th as Angels beat Mariners 6-3  —  Mike Trout provided the capper to a miserable night for the Seattle Mariners.  —  Trout looped a three-run double just inside the left-field line with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels cooled off the Mariners with a 6-3 victory on Thursday night.

Royals may be slumping, but they're still swinging at a record pace  —  On the night of Aug. 2, in the final moments of a baseball game in Baltimore, something strange happened.  Orioles reliever Darren O'Day unleashed a 79 mph slider that broke low and outside.

Corey Dickerson's three-run homer lifts Rays over Indians  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Corey Dickerson's three-run homer in the eighth inning carried the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.  —  Dickerson's two-out blast off Nick Goody (1-2), his 22nd …

Giancarlo Stanton homers again but Marlins drop 3rd straight to Nationals  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — On a team loaded with stars, two rookies played key roles in Washington's win Thursday night.  —  Brian Goodwin had two hits, including a home run into the second deck leading off the eighth inning …

Padres take road woes to Dodger Stadium  —  LOS ANGELES — By any measure, the Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a wildly successful road trip ... and home is where they play better than anybody.  —  The San Diego Padres, meanwhile, will roll into Dodger Stadium on Friday night …

Moncada plays the hero as White Sox beat Astros 3-2 in 11  —  CHICAGO (AP) — The Houston Astros came into Chicago hoping to break one of their few slumps this season in a three-game series with the American League's worst team.  Instead, they leave the Windy City reeling after being swept by the White Sox.

Estrada ends 12-start drought, Blue Jays top Gray, Yanks 4-0 (Aug 10, 2017)  —  TORONTO (AP) Marco Estrada and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, Jose Bautista hit a solo home run and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Thursday night.

White Sox Acquire Ryan Burr From D-Backs For International Bonus Money  —  The White Sox announced that they've acquired minor league right-hander Ryan Burr from the Diamondbacks for international signing bonus pool money.  —  The 23-year-old Burr had been with the Diamondbacks since they used a fifth-round pick on him in 2015.

Jerry Blevins Claimed, Blocked On Waivers  —  Mets reliever Jerry Blevins was claimed and blocked on waivers by an unknown team, reports FanRag's Jon Heyman.  The move will prevent the Mets from trading the left-hander this season.  —  The 33-year-old Blevins drew plenty of interest leading …

Cards to open 2018 season on Thursday March 29 in New York  —  To open the 2018 season, the Cardinals will head back on the road for their sixth opening day away from home in the past seven seasons.  The Cardinals will open the regular season in Queens against the New York Mets on March 29 …