Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius Provide Big Hits as Yankees Top Mets Again  —  There are many reasons the Yankees sit firmly atop the American League wild-card standings: the star outfielder Aaron Judge; the All-Star starter Luis Severino; and the stellar bullpen, including Dellin Betances, Tommy Kahnle and others.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson hints that team was over budget  —  Sandy Alderson hinted on Wednesday that the Mets spent more money on players this offseason that originally budgeted, part of his explanation for why the club has shed about $9.3 million in salary while making a flurry of trades before and after the July 31 deadline.

Rick Renteria on receiving Cubs World Series ring: ‘A classy gesture’  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria called receiving a Cubs World Series ring “a classy gesture” by the team on Wednesday, AUg. 16, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Red Sox score three in the 9th in walk-off 5-4 win over Cardinals, stay 4.5 games ahead of Yankees in AL East  —  Mookie Betts finally had a pitch he could drive and the Boston Red Sox pulled out anther last at-bat win in Fenway Park.  —  Betts lined a two-run double off the Green Monster …

Diamondbacks' De La Rosa to undergo 2nd Tommy John surgery  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Rubby De La Rosa will undergo a second Tommy John surgery.  —  Manager Torey Lovullo made the announcement Thursday before the Diamondbacks play the Astros.

Red-hot Rangers host weary White Sox (Aug 17, 2017)  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Considering the Chicago White Sox just finished getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the best team in baseball, a four-game set against the Texas Rangers starting Thursday will represent a reprieve.  —  Right?

Astros host D-backs with pitching staff getting healthier (Aug 17, 2017)  —  HOUSTON — A cursory glance at the Houston Astros' current disabled list reveals a quartet of pitchers who at one point or another provided reliability for a flexible and versatile staff.

Spangenberg, Padres aim to keep rolling vs. Nats (Aug 17, 2017)  —  SAN DIEGO — The Washington Nationals kick off a four-game series with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.  That means one of baseball's hottest players will be in America's Finest City.  —  “It's just his energy,” Padres manager Andy Green said.

Games of the Day  —  The Twins are six games out of the division and one game out of the second wild card as they host the Indians in a split-double header on Thursday.  Needless to say, a sweep would do the Twins playoff chances a lot of good.  The better of the two games is the night cap that pits Ryan Merritt against Jose Berrios.