Braves could bolster roster before series ends with Reds  —  Brandon McCarthy starts Tuesday for Atlanta against the Cincinnati Reds and the journeyman right-hander is everything the Braves could have wanted and more.  —  So is third baseman Ryan Flaherty, who has been one of the National League's leading hitters all season.

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 …

White Sox offense comes to life with 10-4 victory over Mariners  —  Photos from the White Sox-Mariners game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday, April 23, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Maybe it's a coincidence.  Maybe not.  —  Hours after getting encouraging news about fallen teammate Danny Farquhar …

Pittsburgh Pirates aim to bounce back vs. Detroit Tigers  —  Three weeks after the Pittsburgh Pirates opened the season with a three-game sweep of the Tigers in the bitter cold in Detroit, the teams are set to meet for another three-game set beginning Tuesday at PNC Park.

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 …

Yankees hoping Masahiro Tanaka's bounceback effort against Twins is sign of things to come  —  It was nearly a year ago that Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka stood at his locker and addressed reporters about what he called “one of the worst slumps” of his career.

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.

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 …

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 …

Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin named National League Player of the Week  —  Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin on 11-strikeout performance vs. Padres  —  Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending April 22.

Skaggs dazzles, Angels beat Astros 2-0  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Yuli Gurriel was thrown out at third base by catcher Martin Maldonado to end the game after an original safe call was reversed on replay, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 win over Houston on Monday night that ended the Astros' six-game winning streak.

Yankees Acquire A.J. Cole, Designate David Hale  —  The Yankees have acquired righty A.J. Cole from the Nationals, per club announcements.  Cash considerations will go to the Washington organization in return.  To clear a roster spot, the Yankees designated fellow right-hander David Hale for assignment.

Things get tougher for Cardinals, who are set to host Mets  —  The MLB welcome wagon, aka the Cincinnati Reds, has left town.  —  Now the St. Louis Cardinals have to validate their recent streak of wins against MLB's worst team by continuing to win games against better ones, like the New York Mets …

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.

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.