Why the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry matters again  —  CHICAGO — Like the latest episode of HBO's “Game of Thrones,” the battle to take place at Wrigley Field this weekend has been brewing for some time.  In fact, the rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals goes back about as far as Westeros.

Indians to detail Kluber's prognosis on Friday  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians decided during the winter their starting pitching would carry them to another October.  —  Cleveland's ride might end before then.  —  Corey Kluber's broken right arm may alter the plans for a season the Indians hoped …

Nationals Fire Pitching Coach Derek Lilliquist  —  The Nationals have fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, Mike Rizzo told reporters after tonight's game, including Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (Twitter links).  Taking over the post will be Paul Menhart.

Berrios, Castro carry AL-leading Twins past Astros 8-2  —  MINNEAPOLIS — After a lopsided sweep of the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles to start their homestand, the Minnesota Twins faced a much better test of their strong start to the season with a four-game series against the Houston Astros.

Angels win fourth consecutive game with victory over Blue Jays  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - It was not a particularly remarkable night at Angel Stadium on Thursday.  The ballpark was lightly populated.  The chill of an early-season evening set in.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did not play.

Rangers claim unofficial lead in unflattering statistic involving Tommy John surgeries  —  ARLINGTON - The most recent rash of Tommy John surgeries within the Rangers organization has given the club a most unwanted title.  They hold the all-time unofficial lead in Tommy John operations …

Red Sox's Pedroia goes 0-for-3 in first rehab game  —  Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-3 in his first rehab game for Double-A Portland on Thursday night.  —  The veteran Red Sox second baseman started this season on the injured list and played in just six games before leaving an April 17 game …

Nats' Strasburg fewest innings to 1,500 career K's  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings pitched than any player in major league history, hitting the milestone during Washington's game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

Dom Smith providing starter-level production from deep Mets bench  —  As Jed Lowrie begins to make his way back from the injured list, the Mets will have to send one of their many infielders back down to the minor leagues.  Fans can find solace in the fact that Dominic Smith is expected to make the cut.

Phillies need to take advantage of struggling Nationals |  Extra Innings  —  After going 17 straight days, April 12-28 without a day off, the Phillies were idle for the second time in four days Thursday.  Since starting 7-2, the Phillies are 10-11 in their last 21 games.  That record can be viewed in a couple of ways.

Gorman's hand-me-down cleats inspire power surge by Peoria first baseman  —  WASHINGTON — Brady Whalen, a first baseman for the Cardinals' Low-A affiliate in Peoria, socked three homers in the span of three games, and when asked about the surge by the team's media relations department, Whalen pointed to his cleats.

Yanks' Hicks (back) plays outfield in rehab game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks played in the outfield for the first time since being sidelined in early March by a strained left lower back.  —  Hicks threw out a runner trying to score Thursday …

MLB Weekend Watch: Picks, opinions on rivalries old and new  —  It's a weekend of rivalries old and new — Cardinals vs. Cubs, Dodgers vs. Padres, Bryce Harper's old team vs. Bryce Harper's new team.  Here's your guide to all the fun.  —  Cardinals-Cubs has long been considered one of baseball's best rivalries.

Braves trail last season's attendance pace  —  After 20 games at SunTrust Park this season, roughly one-fourth of their home schedule, the Braves trail last year's attendance pace.  —  They have drawn an average of 29,744 per game in announced attendance, down almost 6% from 31,556 through the same number of home games last year.

Addison Russell on being optioned to the minors, his future with the Cubs and more  —  As Addison Russell neared the end of his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse police, the All-Star shortstop was given a short stint …