Verlander, Astros historic favorites against Tigers  —  The Houston Astros are poised to be one of the largest favorites in an MLB game ever when they send Justin Verlander to the mound against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.  —  The Astros are listed as -500 home favorites …

Rockies lose Gray for season with foot fracture  —  PHOENIX — The Colorado Rockies on Wednesday placed starting pitcher Jon Gray on the 60-day injured list because of a left foot fracture, ending his season.  —  The 27-year-old Gray is 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA this season.

O's allow 258th HR of season, tying MLB record  —  The Baltimore Orioles are Major League Baseball's new home run kings.  Kind of.  —  On Wednesday night at Camden Yards, the Orioles surrendered their 258th homer of the season, tying the 2016 Cincinnati Reds for most round-trippers allowed by a team in a single campaign.

Robbie Ray nears return as Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation remains in flux  —  In a nearly empty Chase Field early Tuesday afternoon, loud grunts resonated from the home bullpen, followed by the pop of a catcher's mitt.  —  Robbie Ray was back on a mound.  As it turned out, he was feeling good.

Dave Dombrowski on hot seat in Boston just one year after winning the World Series  —  BOSTON — We are sitting in Section 31 at Fenway Park, in the dark blue wooden grandstand seats down left field, watching the Boston Red Sox take batting practice.  —  It's a gorgeous day …

MLB warns sexual enhancers may include PEDs  —  Major League Baseball in a memo warned about the “very real risk” of over-the-counter sexual-enhancement pills after at least two players this year were suspended for performance-enhancing drugs and said the banned substances found in their urine came …

J.D. Davis smashes walk-off single in 10th to complete dramatic comeback against Cleveland  —  After a challenging offensive night for the Mets — and an injury to one of their key starting pitchers — J.D. Davis hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning to propel the Amazin's to a come-from-behind …

2020 MLB International Prospects Preview  —  Clubs and players are both operating under the uncertainty of whether there will be an international draft in 2020.  —  If there's no draft next year, there are around 40 players who look like they could sign for bonuses of at least $1 million …

Yankees vs. A's lineups: Oakland looks to continue dominance of lefties  —  OAKLAND — The A's look to continue their success against left-handed pitching when they face  —  J.A. Happ on Wednesday night at the Coliseum.  —  The Green and Gold are 21-10 against left-handed starters this season …

Pirates Place Chris Archer, Clay Holmes On Injured List  —  The Pirates have placed right-handers Chris Archer and Clay Holmes on the 10-day injured list, the team announced.  Archer has been sidelined with inflammation in his throwing shoulder, while Holmes is suffering from left quad discomfort.