Cardinals win in interim manager Shildt's debut  —  Dexter Fowler homered to give interim manager Mike Shildt a win in his first game as the St. Louis  —  Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on Sunday.  —  Shildt took over for Mike Matheny, who was fired late Saturday after six-plus seasons at the helm.

Futures Game a showcase of potential Manny Machado trade chips  —  WASHINGTON — Touki Toussaint was about to settle down for his pregame nap when Atlanta Braves director of player development Dom Chiti called.  —  “When I saw his name pop up, I did kind of get nervous,” Toussaint said.

Happy, not satisfied: Yankees know they have to improve from big first half  —  CLEVELAND — Regardless of whether the New York Yankees would have won Sunday's first-half finale at Progressive Field, to a man, the postgame clubhouse refrain still would have been the same.  —  We're good, but not yet good enough.

Giants prospect Shaun Anderson promoted to Triple-A Sacramento  —  WASHINGTON — The decision was easy.  Giants prospect Shaun Anderson would pitch in either the Eastern League All-Star Game in New Jersey or the Futures Game at Nationals Park.  —  “It was obvious to me,” said Anderson …

David Ortiz reflects on state of Red Sox, why shifts are bad for baseball  —  David Ortiz was back on the baseball field Sunday, but not as a player.  The former Red Sox slugger was the manager for the World Team in the Futures Game in Washington D.C., which kicked off All-Star week.

LEADING OFF: Cards move on from Matheny, skidding Braves  —  A look at what's happening around the majors today:  —  ST. LOUIS STUNNER  —  The Cardinals will play their first game under interim manager Mike Shildt after firing Mike Matheny late Saturday night.

Cubs' Drew Smyly targets rehab assignment soon  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly hopes to tap the accelerator on his recovery from Tommy John surgery this week.  —  Smyly said he plans to throw a bullpen session Wednesday in Arizona and anticipates throwing a simulated game this weekend at Wrigley Field.

Next Slide  —  HOUSTON — John Hicks has known Justin Verlander for quite some time.  —  Growing up in Goochland, Va., Hicks, 28, watched Verlander, 35, play throughout high school.  The former Tigers ace was teammates with Hicks' older brother, Daniel, who counts as one of Verlander's best friends.

After taking Giants' series, A's charge into break in position to add players  —  Oakland wrapped up a sensational first half Sunday with a 6-2 victory over the Giants, putting the A's a season-high 13 games over .500.  —  Over the past month, they have the majors' best record at 21-6 …

Anthony Swarzak's horrific outing proves Mets struck out with their biggest bullpen signing  —  As the only member of the Mets' already-infamous class of free agents who is currently on the active roster, Anthony Swarzak was charged with the duty of salvaging some honor for the group …

Dozier's grand slam in 10th gives Twins 11-7 win over Rays  —  Brian Dozier hit a grand slam in the 10th inning on Sunday to give the Minnesota Twins an 11-7 victory over the  —  Tampa Bay Rays and cap a testy, back-and-forth finish that featured four lead changes from the bottom of the seventh on.

How Jose Ramirez went from too small to star to an artist at the plate  —  Heading into the All-Star break, there are four hitters in baseball with an OPS over 1.000.  All four are in the American League, and all four will be starting in the All-Star Game.  Mike Trout, you've heard of him.