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.

Despite stellar first half, Yankees still have plenty of work to do to catch Red Sox  —  CLEVELAND - After clobbering the Red Sox on July 1, no one expected the Yankees to be 4.5 games back of their hated rivals in the AL East division standings.  —  But that's where they are right now …

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 …

Jo Adell tearing up minor leagues - and looks destined to play alongside, not replace, Mike Trout  —  WASHINGTON - When the Los Angeles Angels drafted Jo Adell with the 10th overall pick in 2017, it seemed unlikely he'd ever share the outfield in Anaheim with the greatest player in the game.

Motivated Detroit Tigers, against all odds, crush Justin Verlander  —  Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press Columnist  —  HOUSTON — The Detroit Tigers needed this.  —  Not for the standings.  Not to create second-half momentum.  Not to convince the front office to keep players around past the trade deadline like in years past.

MLB: Meadows sent to the minors  —  Outfielder Austin Meadows was demoted Sunday by the Pittsburgh Pirates to triple-A Indianapolis.  —  Meadows, 23, was the team's first-round pick in the 2013 draft.  He hit .298 in 48 games but lost playing time to Corey Dickerson and Gregory Polanco.  —  Etc.

Improved A's, Giants look for series win  —  The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants will head into the All-Star break in significantly better shape than a year ago.  —  First though, there is the matter of concluding the first part of the “Bay Bridge” series Sunday afternoon when the Giants host the Athletics at AT&T Park.

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.

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 …