Cubs unplug Cardinals' offense, dim their playoff chances  —  Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, left, scores on a single hit by Ian Happ off St. Louis Cardinals' Michael Wacha during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Chicago.  (AP Photo)

Cody Bellinger hits 38th homer to help Dodgers beat Nationals, 3-2  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Any shred of doubt the Los Angeles Dodgers absorbed from their 11-game losing streak has been emphatically erased.  —  After their fourth win in a row, 3-2 over the NL East-champion Washington Nationals on Saturday …

Sunday's game  —  Diamondbacks at Giants  —  Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco.  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (9-7, 3.32) vs. Giants RHP Chris Stratton (2-3, 4.07).  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).  —  Walker has given up just four runs in his past 28 2/3 innings …

White Sox jump on Tigers for 8-4 lead  —  Photos from the White Sox-Tigers game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Detroit.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox scored six runs off Tigers starting pitcher Myles Jaye in the first two innings and took 8-4 lead in the fifth inning Saturday night at Comerica Park.

Romano pitches Reds to 2-1 victory over Nova, Pirates  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Sal Romano had complete-game stuff.  He settled for the best start of his rookie season.  —  Romano pitched a career-high eight shutout innings, Jesse Winker homered and the Cincinnati Reds beat the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Saturday.

Yankees are a younger, more complete team than Red Sox and should win AL East  —  The false narrative of the Yankee season continues to be this one: Because they seem to be set up for future seasons, that they are just some underdog team this season, as if they're the Little Pinstripers That Could.

Mets decide not to use Syndergaard in Atlanta  —  ATLANTA — The Mets will be cautious with ace Noah Syndergaard and have him face hitters before using him in a game.  The team had discussed using Syndergaard against the Braves this weekend, but he will instead face batters early next week.

Orioles have to stop fooling themselves about the future of their starting rotation  —  BALTIMORE  —  It all happened so fast.  —  Not that many days ago, the Orioles were one game out of the second American League wild-card slot and playing better than any other team in their division.

Josh Donaldson home runs lift Blue Jays over Twins  —  Third baseman hits homers No. 27 and 28 in 7-2 win in Minneapolis.  —  MINNEAPOLIS—Asked about nearing 40 home runs earlier this week, Justin Smoak marvelled at the number.  —  For your average big leaguer, 20 homers is big.  Thirty?

Marlins stop 6-game skid with 7-4 win against Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE  —  Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly wanted Adam Conley to be the difference maker and the left-hander delivered.  —  Derek Dietrich hit a two-run homer, Conley pitched into the sixth inning and the Marlins beat …

Houston Astros start fast, finish job vs. Seattle Mariners  —  HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel worked six strong innings before Joe Musgrove put out a raging fire in the eighth as the Houston Astros defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-6 on Saturday at Minute Maid Park, reducing their magic number to win the American League West to one.

With rotation change, Joe Girardi proves he plans on pitching Luis Severino in wild-card game  —  Joe Girardi offered different reasoning for juggling his starting rotation, but the move most significantly affects the Yankees' pitching order for various potential playoff scenarios involving ace Luis Severino.

Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte focused on his defense … CONNECT  —  SAN FRANCISCO - On Thursday afternoon, shortstop Ketel Marte made a lunging, backhanded grab of a D.J. LeMahieu ball.  He spun and popped to his feet in one motion, then fired the ball to first.

From first to worst: Rangers' ‘luck’ in one-run games flipped in 2017  —  ANAHEIM  —  Much was made, a season ago, of the Texas Rangers' ridiculously good record in one-run games.  —  They were 36-11, the best mark since 1901.  No other team won more than 28 one-run games in 2016.

Start of new streak?  Cleveland Indians double up Kansas City Royals  —  CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor had three hits and Edwin Encarnacion homered and had two RBIs as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 8-4 on Saturday at Progressive Field.  —  Carlos Carrasco (16-6) pitched into the seventh inning to get the win.

Yankees bats stay hot, Jordan Montgomery shines in 9-3 win over Orioles  —  The Yankees finally have reached their high-water mark for the season, and they look as if they plan to continue riding this burgeoning wave into the postseason.  —  The Bombers finally are 16 games over .500 …