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.

Next Slide  —  It started off ugly defensively, with perhaps the Detroit Tigers' worst half-inning, and it ended with more missed opportunities offensively.  —  The Tigers lost to the White Sox, 6-3, on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.  —  Not helped at all by his defense …

J.A. Happ shines again as New York Yankees take care of Rays  —  NEW YORK - Maybe J.A. Happ and the Yankees just needed each other.  —  The 35-year-old lefty has easily been as good as advertised with his new team.  Maybe even better.  —  Happ (13-6) delivered another gem on Tuesday …

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 …

Rays receive touted prospect Shane Baz from Pirates to complete deal for Chris Archer  —  Right-hander Tyler Glasnow is among the highly-touted prospects the Rays got in return for sending Chris Archer to the Pirates.  —  With the final piece now in place, the Tampa Bay Rays feel …

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.

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.

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 …

Polanco, Sano fuel Twins in 5-2 win over Pirates  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jorge Polanco got two hits, scored twice and drove in two runs and Miguel Sano hit a two-run homer, leading the  —  Minnesota Twins to a 5-2 victory over the  —  Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

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 …

Goldeyes bring back lefty pitcher Zack Dodson  —  The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-signed left-handed pitcher Zack Dodson prior to Monday's game at Gary SouthShore.  —  Dodson was 5-7 for the Goldeyes in 20 starts last year, and finished 11th in the American Association with 98 strikeouts.