Darvish faces Brewers in quest for first win  —  CHICAGO — When Yu Darvish signed a $126 million contract to join the Cubs in the offseason, he was viewed as a free agent prize.  —  But as Darvish prepares to make his fifth start of the season Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the 31-year-old right-hander has yet to deliver.

Davidson homers twice, White Sox beat Royals 6-3  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Davidson is disproving the notion power hitters don't like Kauffman Stadium.  —  Davidson hit two of Chicago's five home runs, leading the White Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Rays on roll entering series with Red Sox  —  BOSTON — When the Tampa Bay Rays left Boston April 8, they were 1-8 with eight straight losses.  —  A lot has changed for Kevin Cash's team as it returns to Fenway Park for a three-game series this weekend.  —  The Rays open the series …

Yankees head west on hot streak to face Angels  —  The New York Yankees have won six in a row heading into a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium.  —  Gary Sanchez kept the winning streak alive with a three-run, walk-off homer on Thursday afternoon …

Media Views: Matt Holliday, dabbling in broadcasting, hasn't given up on playing again  —  Matt Holliday has played in nearly 1,900 big-league baseball games.  He'd like to be in some more.  —  Holliday is working out in Jupiter, Fla., where he lives with his family and is hoping for a call back to the majors.

Ronald Acuna, baseball's latest sensation, hits Philly |  Extra Innings  —  So the Phillies got hammered yesterday.  But there is some good news: That was their last Facebook game for two weeks.  The Phillies will welcome the Braves to South Philly tonight to start a three-game series …

FOUL BALLS: Blue Jays who got home in trouble with cops  —  The Toronto Blue Jays have had some hard times on — and off — the field.  —  And one of their rivals is the cops.  —  With Jays' legend Kelly Gruber's recent bust for drunk driving in Texas, we decided to take a look …

Digest: Boston to change name of Yawkey Way due to claims of racism  —  Boston will change name of Yawkey Way due to alleged racism by former owner  —  Boston officials Thursday approved changing the name of Yawkey Way, the street outside Fenway Park, because of allegations former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey …

The sad part of Rangers history pitcher Matt Bush is in danger of joining  —  Matt Bush is in danger of joining the Rangers' sad history of effective relievers who went south after trying to transform into starters.  —  The Rangers on Wednesday used Bush's final option to send him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Column: Tank me out to the ballgame: MLB teams get early start in Race to the Bottom  —  Royals pitcher Jason Hammel rolls over after being hit by a ball off the bat of the Brewers' Lorenzo Cain during a game at Kauffman Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Kansas City.  (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

How many strikeouts is too many, and MLB's next big thing  —  Every year, baseball's strikeout rate increases.  That much we know.  What we haven't thought as much about is the victim of the strikeout pandemic: balls in play.  Without balls in play, we can't have hits.

Yankees rumors: Patrick Corbin interest mutual, report says  —  With CC Sabathia in in his twilight years and with the long-term futures of Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery in pinstripes uncertain, the Yankees could certainly use another quality starter.  Enter Patrick Corbin.

A's send opening day starter Kendall Graveman to minors  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have optioned opening day starter Kendall Graveman and fellow right-hander Chris Bassitt to Triple-A Nashville.  —  The A's also announced Thursday that right-hander Wilmer Font …

Cardinals' Pham excels despite konk to the head  —  St. Louis Cardinals' Tommy Pham reaches safely on an infield single as New York Mets first baseman Adrian Gonzalez tries to receive the throw in the 10th inning during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets on Thursday …