Rangers try to find an answer for A's in Oakland (Sep 23, 2017)  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Overconfidence was not a concern for Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister when his playoff contending team faced the last-place Oakland Athletics on Friday night for the first of seven times in their final 10 games.

Detroit Tigers manager Ausmus will not return in 2018  —  The Detroit Tigers announced Friday the contract of manager Brad Ausmus will not be extended beyond the 2017 season.  —  Ausmus, 48, and his coaching staff will remain in their current positions through the end of the season, according to general manager Al Avila.

Security detains man after he gains entry into Yankees clubhouse following loss to Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — A man was detained by stadium security after gaining entry to the New York Yankees clubhouse after Friday's game at Rogers Centre.  —  While pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was speaking …

Dodgers beat Giants 4-2 to clinch 5th straight NL West title  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth straight NL West title, beating the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Friday night as Cody Bellinger set an NL rookie record with his 39th home run.  —  Los Angeles will open the NL Division Series at home on Oct. 6.

LEADING OFF: Superheroes in NY, Ivy Leaguers in Milwaukee  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:  —  SUPERHERO DAY  —  Mets ace Noah Syndergaard is expected to make a one-inning start against Washington in his first major league game in nearly five months, and Matt Harvey will take the mound after that.

Brewers look to shake off tough losses vs. Cubs (Sep 23, 2017)  —  MILWAUKEE — The deficit will be 5 1/2 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central when they take the field against the first-place Chicago Cubs Saturday afternoon.  —  Despite the margin …

Cardinals rally past Pirates in 9th for 4-3 win  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Randal Grichuk scored after an error by Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer, capping a frantic ninth-rally that lifted the surging St. Louis Cardinals over Pittsburgh 4-3 on Friday night.  —  The playoff-chasing Cardinals won …

White Sox lead Royals 7-6 after 4 innings  —  Photos from the White Sox-Royals game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox kicked off their final homestand of the season with the first of a three-game series against the Royals on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Madeira's Andrew Benintendi makes his GABP debut  —  Although Andrew Benintendi couldn't confirm that his uncle actually bought more than 1,000 tickets in the bleachers for friends and family from Madeira, he didn't exactly doubt it.  —  “I don't know anybody who's not coming,” …

Yuili Gurriel's blast lifts Houston Astros past Los Angeles Angels  —  HOUSTON — Yuli Gurriel slugged a three-run home run in the seventh inning, lifting Justin Verlander into the win column for the fourth time in four starts and pushing the Houston Astros to a 3- victory over the reeling Los Angeles Angels …

Cruz hits 2-run shot in 9th, Mariners beat Indians 3-1  —  Nelson Cruz breathed a little extra life to the Seattle Mariners' dwindling playoff hopes — and slowed baseball's hottest team in the process.  —  Cruz hit a game-ending two-run home run in the ninth inning off closer Cody Allen …

Prospective Marlins owner Jeter orders firings of Mr. Marlin, McKeon, 2 Hall of Famers  —  Derek Jeter doesn't even own the Marlins yet, but he already has informed the team that he plans to fire two special assistants who are in Baseball's Hall of Fame (Andre Dawson and Tony Perez) …

MVP candidates on display when Diamondbacks, Marlins meet (Sep 23, 2017)  —  PHOENIX — File this under it takes one to know one.  —  With two of the top National League MVP candidates in Arizona for a weekend series, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly weighed in Friday on what he considers …

Cubs, Dodgers minor leaguers suspended for drug violations  —  NEW YORK (AP) Chicago Cubs pitcher Anyel Beato and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league pitcher Oliver Polanco have been suspended for 72 games under baseball's minor league drug program following positive tests for metabolites of Stanozolol.

Catching up with the Marlins  —  For a few days in late August, the Marlins looked like darkhorse contenders for one of the National League wild card spots.  But that dream ended after a 1-10 stretch from Aug. 28-Sept. 7 left them buried in the standings.  RF Giancarlo Stanton has cooled …