Why the Red Sox are the best team in baseball - and may retain that status  —  OAKLAND - It took more than three weeks and a masterful performance by one of the game's up-and-coming pitchers for the Red Sox to come to grips with a baseball reality: You don't play .900 baseball and average 6.5 runs …

Column: Memories of Cubs' World Series win in Cleveland will never fade  —  Photos from Game 7 of the World Series at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Nov. 2, 2016.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jon Lester didn't sound all that enthused last week when asked about the Cubs' return to Cleveland …

Detroit Tigers recall Mike Gerber from Toledo, DFA Drew VerHagen  —  Mike Gerber is headed back to the big leagues.  —  In need of another bench player for their upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Detroit Tigers recalled Gerber from Triple-A Toledo and designated for assignment reliever Drew VerHagen.

White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar ‘progressing well’ after surgery; condition still critical  —  Chicago pitcher Danny Farquhar, who suffered a brain aneurysm Friday night during the White Sox's game against the Houston Astros, “is progressing well following a successful surgery Saturday …

Olt's grand slam leads Pawtucket over Toledo in 8 innings  —  PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Mike Olt hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to lead the Pawtucket Red Sox to a 6-4 win over the Toledo Mud Hens in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday.

Under the radar signings big reason Blue Jays offence has come to life  —  This week's series between the Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox represents two clubs who have scored the most runs in the AL.  —  And while it's no surprise that the Red Sox, heading into Monday's games …

Yankees add talent and depth to lower part of lineup with Gleyber Torres debut and ‘real deal’ Miguel Andujar  —  Just as Tim Naehring was headed to see Gleyber Torres — a prized Cubs prospect the Yankees were thinking of acquiring as the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal for Aroldis Chapman …

Davey Nelson, a Brewers broadcaster and former All-Star, dies at 73  —  Davey Nelson, a Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster and former All-Star infielder who also coached in the majors, has died.  He was 73.  (Nam Y Huh / AP)  —  Davey Nelson, a Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster and former …

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres … Trust.  —  It's a one-syllable word with one of the longer definitions you will find in the dictionary.  That's because it's complicated and it can take as much time to explain as it often does to earn it.  —  It's a word Diamondbacks manager …

Jake Arrieta drawing inspiration from young Phillies starters  —  Jake Arrieta oozed potential.  It came through his every pore.  He was 25, talented, and part of what then-Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Tremblay referred to as his “cavalry,” a group of young pitchers who would lead …

Ellis, Nogowski spur Springfield to 6-5 win over NW Arkansas  —  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — John Nogowski hit a two-run home run and had three hits, driving in three, and Chris Ellis allowed just four hits over six innings as the Springfield Cardinals beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 6-5 on Monday.

Phil Hughes, member of 2009 World Series team, recalls fond memories with Yankees, praises dangerous Bombers lineup  —  Phil Hughes won 56 games wearing pinstripes from 2007 through 2013, but the Twins starting pitcher received some lavish praise from a fan outside of his team's hotel upon the Twins' arrival in Gotham late Sunday.

Despite quality start and immaculate inning, Orioles' Kevin Gausman loses to Indians, 2-1  —  Orioles manager Buck Showalter talks about Kevin Gausman and Tim Beckham after the Orioles' 2-1 loss to the Indians.  (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun video)  —  The Orioles lose to the Indians, 2-1.

Swanson leads Trenton to 3-1 win over Harrisburg  —  TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Erik Swanson struck out 11 hitters over seven innings, leading the Trenton Thunder over the Harrisburg Senators in a 3-1 win on Monday.  —  Caleb Frare got Austin Davidson to ground out with runners on second and third …

Green's homer leads Reading to 8-4 win over Akron  —  READING, Pa. (AP) — Zach Green hit a two-run homer in the third inning, leading the Reading Fightin Phils to an 8-4 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Monday.  —  The home run by Green capped a three-run inning and gave the Fightin Phils …

Lago's double leads Mississippi to 6-3 win over Mobile  —  MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Alay Lago hit a run-scoring double in the seventh inning, leading the Mississippi Braves to a 6-3 win over the Mobile BayBears in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday.  —  The double by Lago came in the midst …

Why aren't Cubs making excuses for Yu Darvish the way they did for Jake Arrieta?  —  Something was rotten in Denver.  —  Not Yu Darvish, though he certainly wasn't good Saturday against the Rockies.  No, the rotten part was the way the Cubs treated him that day, after he had struggled again.

Avisail Garcia exits Sox game with apparent leg injury  —  White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia (26) reacts after he was picked off at first base during the first inning of a game against the Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday, April 23, 2018.  (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)