Brewers face uphill battle in trying to dethrone Cubs  —  CHICAGO — They face each other eight more times — beginning with a quick two-game series at Wrigley Field starting Tuesday — as the National League Central race between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers comes to a head.

White Sox pitching prospect Zack Burdi appears ahead of schedule after surgery  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Downers Grove native Zack Burdi has shown remarkable progress making his way back from a torn ulnar collateral ligament that required Tommy John surgery last July.

Indians place Trevor Bauer on DL with stress fracture  —  The Indians lost one of their best pitchers Tuesday when they placed right-hander Trevor Bauer on the 10-day disabled list with a small stress fracture in his right leg.  —  Cleveland is in complete control in the AL Central …

Next Slide  —  It was ugly, perhaps the ugliest half-inning the Detroit Tigers have played defensively this season.  And with so many inexperienced players — some of them playing out of position — there have been quite a few of those innings to choose from.

Why Yankees passed over Sonny Gray for Luis Cessa to start for CC Sabathia  —  NEW YORK - This could have been Sonny Gray's big break.  —  A spot in the rotation opened up with CC Sabathia going to the DL with right knee inflammation, and Gray seemed to be a logical replacement after being sent to the bullpen this month.

Phillies' Nick Pivetta is the man with the xFIP factor |  Bob Brookover  —  Nick Pivetta was in the midst of a meltdown.  After a terrific 11-game start to his second season in the big leagues, the Phillies' 25-year-old righthander stumbled through June and July, his earned run average soaring from 3.26 to 4.85.

Giants rally with 4 runs in 9th to down Dodgers 5-2  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Bochy seemed uncertain how to respond to the question.  —  The Giants had just rallied for four runs with two outs in the ninth inning Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers' beleaguered bullpen for a 5-2 victory.

Davis, Jones, Beckham go deep as O's beat Mets 6-3  —  Tim Beckham each homered to back a strong performance by starter  —  New York Mets 6-3 on Tuesday night to snap a five-game skid.  —  Baltimore won both games against the Mets at Citi Field on June 5-6 and can complete the season sweep Wednesday.

Michael Lorenzen says it was ‘definitely special’ to play in outfield for Cincinnati Reds  —  Reds pitcher Homer Bailey discusses his start in Monday's 10-3 loss to Cleveland.  Bailey allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  CONNECT

Nationals place Ryan Madson on DL  —  The Washington Nationals put right-hander Ryan Madson on the 10-day disabled list and named Koda Glover the team's closer.  —  Madson surrendered David Bote's game-ending grand slam in Sunday night's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Brewers Acquire Jake Thompson, Designate Alec Asher  —  The Brewers have acquired right-hander Jake Thompson from the Phillies in exchange for cash, the Phillies announced Tuesday.  Right-hander Alec Asher has been designated for assignment to open roster space, and the Brewers have optioned Thompson …

Last Slide  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - Manager Torey Lovullo vowed in spring training to get first baseman Paul Goldschmidt more days off this season.  But like all of Goldschmidt's managers to come before him, Lovullo has found that idea easier said than done.  —  “I know I committed to somewhere …

Five struggling MLB players who need to step up for the stretch run  —  The 2017 World Series teams are struggling with injuries and depth.  Can they make it back to the postseason?  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  Nearing the latter half of August, there's far less clarity …

Acuna still sizzling, homers twice in Braves' 10-6 win over Marlins  —  ATLANTA - Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player in major league history to homer in five straight games, hitting a leadoff shot on the first pitch and adding a three-run long ball in the seventh inning to help …