How Atlanta used its 1990s blueprint to build emergent Baby Braves  —  I WAS WATCHING the Braves play the New York Mets on my phone while cruising in mild traffic from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta to Cobb County, Georgia, home of the Braves and a fantasy world of their own creation.

White Sox aim to halt Indians' hot streak  —  The Cleveland Indians will go for their sixth win in the past seven games when they square off against the Chicago White Sox in the second game of a four-game set at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday night.  —  Cleveland (35-29) …

Steven Wright and his knuckleball could fill key role for Red Sox  —  The Boston Red Sox have spent most of the season in first place or tied for the lead in the American League East.  Entering last weekend, they had spent just six days out of first place, and two of those were the first two days of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates … When a couple of urine sample collectors from Major League Baseball walked into the Diamondbacks' clubhouse on Monday and made their way back to the training room area, one player couldn't help but take a playful, friendly jab at the suddenly red-hot-hitting Paul Goldschmidt.

Daniel Poncedeleon called up by Cardinals 13 months after severe head injury  —  St. Louis Cardinals righthander Daniel Poncedeleon is preparing for his major league debut just 13 months after a line drive to the head threatened not only his baseeball career but his life.

Joe Maddon's relative to sign with rival Brewers  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the series against the Brewers on Monday, June 11, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon expressed some amusement Monday that relative Joe Baran was drafted …

Cardinals power their way to 5-2 win over Padres with 3 HRs  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) June is shaping up as a good month for St. Louis first baseman Jose Martinez.  —  Martinez and Marcell Ozuna hit two-run homers, rookie Jack Flaherty pitched into the seventh inning, and the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Monday night.

In baseball, numbers are everything.  Why 10 matters most to MLB veterans.  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Throughout this summer, small but lively pregame celebrations will take place in several clubhouses across the baseball landscape.  —  The Tampa Bay Rays will likely fete Sergio Romo on Monday …

Ailing Dodgers gear up to face Rangers  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to name a starter for Tuesday's interleague game against the Texas Rangers and at the rate they are going, unknowns with the rotation are doubtful to cause any stress.  —  The Dodgers have been reborn in recent weeks …

Hooks third baseman Randy Cesar extends hitting streak to 33 games  —  Hooks third baseman Randy Cesar continues to add to his recent hitting streak.  —  More: Here's why there's more Cubans on the Corpus Christi Hooks team than ever before  —  More: Astros pitching prospect Whitley stellar in return for Hooks

How has Cubs' Tommy La Stella become one of baseball's best pinch-hitters?  —  Tommy La Stella's approach to pinch-hitting is similar to his approach to life.  —  He's his own man.  —  “I think everyone is always their best hitting coach,” La Stella said.

Oakland A's aim to break through vs. Houston Astros  —  The Houston Astros will seek to continue their dominance over the Oakland Athletics when the contending clubs in the American League West open a three-game series on Tuesday night.  —  Lance McCullers, already 2-0 against the A's this season …

Gomez: Ohtani ‘probably will need Tommy John surgery’  —  Pedro Gomez discusses Shohei Ohtani's Grade 2 UCL sprain and how the Angels are holding out hope that surgery won't be necessary.

Rays recall shortstop prospect Willy Adames from Triple-A Durham  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled 22-year-old shortstop prospect Willy Adames from Triple-A Durham after placing infielder Daniel Robertson on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Dee Gordon solidifying second base job, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto says  —  As the Seattle Mariners keep winning games, their 41-24 record and view from the top of the American League West has forced them to contemplate their plans for Robinson Cano once the eight-time All-Star returns from the suspended list in August.