MLB power rankings: Indians hold top spot; Diamondbacks remain strong  —  The 22-game winning streak may be over.  —  But the Cleveland Indians captured their second straight AL Central title and claimed No. 1 spot in USA TODAY Sports' baseball power rankings for the second consecutive week.

The Jason Heyward dilemma: Big contract, big defense, struggling offense  —  Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward reacts after the 4-3 win over the Cardinals, which completed a three-game sweep, on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.  (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Dodgers to monitor Corey Seager's sore right elbow down stretch  —  PHILADELPHIA — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects to play Corey Seager every day down the stretch, even while acknowledging that the team's star shortstop is not at full strength physically and is operating in …

Blame Game: Pointing fingers for Rangers failures in 2017  —  ANAHEIM  —  The body is still warm but it's never too early to start the autopsy.  —  What went wrong for the Texas Rangers this season?  They're three games under .500 with 13 remaining and their post-season hopes are flat-lining.

Noah Syndergaard one step closer to Mets return after throwing simulated game  —  MIAMI — Noah Syndergaard threw a simulated game at Marlins Park on Monday.  The righthander and the Mets hope it is the last step before he can come off the disabled list and pitch in a game this weekend at Citi Field.

Talkin' Tigers podcast: Boyd's development, plus another look at future  —  Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast?  If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now.  —  In the Sept. 18, 2017, episode of the “Talkin' Tigers” podcast, Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech starts …

Projecting the future kings of strikeouts, WHIP and saves in fantasy baseball  —  After looking at some of the best young hitters in the game, it is time to look at the top prospects on the pitching side.  —  Below you will find players still in the minors who rank highly in the following categories …

Rumor Central: Will the Phillies shop Cesar Hernandez?  —  Second baseman Cesar Hernandez will likely be a key figure in the Philadelphia Phillies' offseason, either as a building block for 2018 or as a valuable trade chip, suggests Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com.

Cubs push back Jon Lester's next start to Wednesday vs. Rays  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacts after the 4-3 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.  (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)  —  The Chicago Cubs adjusted their rotation, pushing left-hander Jon Lester's next start to Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Monday's game  —  Diamondbacks at Padres  —  Where: Petco Park, San Diego.  —  Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (14-12, 4.06) vs. Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (7-10, 4.61).  —  TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).  —  Corbin gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings …

Series preview: Cubs at Rays  —  Chicago Tribune  —  All games on WSCR-AM 670.  —  Season series: Tied 1-1.  —  LH Mike Montgomery (6-8, 3.57) vs. RH Chris Archer (9-10, 4.06)  —  LH Jon Lester (11-7, 4.30) vs. LH Blake Snell (3-6, 4.25)  —  Storylines: The Rays' playoff hopes are fading …

Rumor Central: Could Bob Geren be the next Mets manager?  —  Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren “may have a leg up” on a possible managerial vacancy with the New York Mets, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  —  The Mets have yet to make a public announcement on the future …

Technology Threatens Scouts, Could Also Set Them Free  —  After the Houston Astros elected to part ways with eight scouts last month, I wrote a piece on whether scouts and Statcast could coexist following the move by Jeffrey Luhnow.  (Luhnow said the vacancies would ultimately be filled.)