There's no ducking the numbers: MLB has a bad baseball problem that's only getting worse  —  It's a shame Eddie Gaedel isn't with us anymore.  This is his time to shine.  —  You remember, Gaedel?  He was the 3-foot-7 slugger hired by St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck as a publicity stunt …

Cubs show Dodgers — and everyone else — they're team to beat in NL  —  CHICAGO — Teams don't establish themselves as “the team to beat” on the basis of a regular-season series in baseball, especially one that unfolds over two chilly weekdays in the middle of June.

Cleveland Indians complete three-game sweep of Chicago White Sox with 12-0 win at Progressive Field  —  The Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 12-0 win at Progressive Field Wednesday.  —  CLEVELAND — Good things happen when the Cleveland Indians …

D-backs open 4-game series in Pittsburgh  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks open a four-game series Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and by the time they move on to Miami, their rotation could look different.  As in, more intact.  —  Right-hander Zack Godley (7-5, 4.77 ERA) …

Free agency checkup: Which stars are adding and losing money?  —  Let's check in on some members of the so-called greatest free-agent class ever — although it's admittedly a little less great given the results and/or injuries of Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw and Josh Donaldson …

Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors dead at 76  —  Billy Connors (right) with former Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte during spring training in 2010.  (Associated Press) Chicago Tribune  —  Former Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors died Monday at the age of 76.

Giants, Marlins set for finale of heated series  —  SAN FRANCISCO — A beanball war between the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants has the potential to spill over into Wednesday's series finale, with neither manager saying the book was closed after there were three hit batsmen and two ejections Tuesday night.

PHILLIES 4, CARDINALS 3  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Odubel Herrera hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning, Cesar Hernandez had a two-run shot and Philadelphia beat St. Louis.  —  Herrera ripped a 91 mph slider from Sam Tuivailala (1-3) off the scoreboard on the facing of the second deck …

Brandon Morrow not fretting over people mocking his back injury  —  Cubs closer Brandon Morrow expects to be back in a week from back spasms that landed him on the disabled list (Mark Gonzales)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs closer Brandon Morrow deserves some credit for telling the truth about his back injury.

The true madness of Max Scherzer  —  Max Scherzer swears he's normal.  The evidence points to the contrary.  —  The day before a recent start in Baltimore, the Washington Nationals' ace plopped himself in front of a laptop at the video table inside the visitors clubhouse.

Dustin Peterson searches for ‘rhythm’ he rode to the big leagues  —  Dustin Peterson's first major-league appearance lasted around 48 hours, but those two days with the Braves represent a fraction of the right fielder's aspirations.  —  “It was awesome,” he said before suiting …

Bailey's back with the Cincinnati Reds, but plan remains unclear  —  Homer Bailey was back in the Reds clubhouse Wednesday.  He did not add a whole lot of clarity to his situation.  —  As for an update?  —  “I don't have one,” he said.  “Ask other people.  They know better than I do.”

AP sources: Tigers-Royals to play in Omaha before 2019 CWS  —  Kansas City Royals will play a regular-season game in Omaha the week the 2019 College World Series opens, The Associated Press has learned.  —  Major League Baseball and the NCAA have been working to arrange a game as a kickoff event to the CWS …

Success of Shohei Ohtani is inspiring more players to seek two-way roles  —  Inland Empire first baseman Jared Walsh is all smiles after hitting a home run against the Lancaster JetHawks at the Hanger on May 8.  (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)  —  What Shohei Ohtani did for the Angels …