Taylor Homers To Lead Nationals Past Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Taylor homered, A.J. Cole allowed one run while pitching into the sixth inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Monday night.  —  Ryan Zimmerman doubled and Jayson Werth drove …

David Ortiz says Yankees are capable of deep October run despite being ‘underdogs’ to Indians, Astros  —  Although retired Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said that both the Indians and Astros are playing “crazy good” in the American League leading up to the 2017 postseason …

Judge breaks McGwire's HR rookie record, Yankees top Royals  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge broke Mark McGwire's major league record for home runs by a rookie, hitting a pair for the second straight day to raise his total to 50 and lead the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 11-3 Monday.

Cubs, on verge of clinching division, visit St. Louis (Sep 25, 2017)  —  It took a little while for the Chicago Cubs to get going this season after ending 108 years of frustration by winning the World Series last fall.  —  Now, the Cubs are on the verge of completing the first step toward defending …

Dodgers hope for good outing from Darvish vs. Padres (Sep 25, 2017)  —  LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Dodgers dust themselves off and prepare for another playoff run, things are beginning to fall into place.  —  The National League West champions have won three of four after a prolonged 5-20 stretch …

NL Notes: Cardinals, Jeffress, Kang  —  In a Q&A led by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt provides some reflections on the team's performance so far in 2017, as well as some subtle insights into the organization's plans for this offseason and the future.

Rays All-Star Chris Archer says Bruce Maxwell ‘the right person’ to break MLB protest barrier  —  BALTIMORE — Chris Archer says he agrees with Bruce Maxwell's message of equality, lauding the Oakland Athletics catcher's well-conceived protest and explanation.

Rodney in line to earn at least $4 million  —  The price tag for closer Fernando Rodney's services has climbed as the year has progressed.  The Diamondbacks are happy to be paying it.  —  When the Diamondbacks signed him in December, they guaranteed him a $2.75 million base salary …

No. 1 pick in MLB draft?  Here's what to watch for in Tigers' final week  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The final week of the regular season is here for the Detroit Tigers.  —  During a long and drawn-out September, as blowout losses and injuries piled up, the season can't end soon enough.

Eduardo Nunez leaves Red Sox's game after aggravating his knee  —  BOSTON — Red Sox infielder Eduardo Nunez was removed from Monday night's game against Toronto after he aggravated a right knee injury that caused him to miss the previous 13 games.  —  Nunez, who sparked Boston's lineup …

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig benched for arriving late to team workout  —  Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was benched again Monday night by manager Dave Roberts, this time for arriving late to a workout prior to Los Angeles' home game against the Padres.  —  Asked about Puig not being in the lineup …

Chris Flexen struggles third time through batting order as Mets fall 9-2 to Braves in Game 1 of DH  —  When this season began, the Mets hoped to put up a 90 in their win-loss record.  They did that on Monday, but not in the column they originally anticipated.

What's at stake in MLB season's final week?  NL wild-card race, award battles and playoff strategy  —  I'm not going to say the final week of the regular season will be anti-climactic, but there's a good chance the final week of the regular season will be anti-climactic.

Marte making late push as Pirates host Orioles (Sep 26, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — Long removed from postseason contention, the Pittsburgh Pirates have their sights fixed on 2018.  Five of the eight position players who started for the Pirates on Sunday were rookies, a few of whom contributed …