ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox convened in Anaheim this week sporting the best records in baseball and explosive lineups led by two of the most dynamic players in the game, outfielders Mike Trout and Mookie Betts.

It seemed a little bigger than your typical mid-April series, and not just because two-way sensation ...Read more

SAN DIEGO -- When he arrived at the ballpark Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knew who his closer was. The unsteady April of Kenley Jansen was not enough to dislodge him from the position he earned with half a decade of excellence. But what Roberts did not know, as he prepared for a series finale against the San ...Read more

ATLANTA -- Phillies manager Gabe Kapler issued a challenge Wednesday to Vince Velasquez, a few hours before the right-hander would pitch the first six innings of a 7-3 loss to the Braves. He wanted Velasquez to pitch with intensity and fervor. He wanted him to challenge hitters with confidence.

"I'm going to attack with my fastball. I'm going ...Read more

After Ben Zobrist was scratched from the top of the lineup Tuesday night because of lower-back stiffness, Cubs manager Joe Maddon wasn't sure about the severity of the injury to his valuable veteran.

But with each sputtering performance from the leadoff spot, the need for more production at the top of the order becomes more pressing.

Acquiring...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Instant replay didn't make any new fans Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field, where one of maybe 50 fans in right field reached across the fence to catch a fifth-inning drive by Renato Nunez.

The umpires called fan interference, the replay official in New York didn't find enough evidence to overturn the call or confirm...Read more

CHICAGO -- The Cubs took no chances Wednesday and postponed their home game against the Cardinals more than four hours before the scheduled first pitch.

With temperatures in the 30s and rain and snow forecast around the start time, the Cubs believed it was in the best interests of players and fans to reschedule the game for 1:20 p.m. Thursday ...Read more

SAN DIEGO -- Eyes locked on the ground, Kenley Jansen trudged toward the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout. Behind him his teammates trickled off the field, a chance at victory thwarted, forced to play another extra-innings affair after Jansen's second blown save of the 2018 season. Jansen untucked his chin from his chest for a moment to scream at his ...Read more

ANAHEIM, Calif.--The Boston Red Sox were a real buzzkill for the Angels and Shohei Ohtani Tuesday night, the team with a prolific offense and the best record in baseball knocking the seemingly otherworldly two-way star back to terra firma.

A sellout crowd of 44,822, the second-largest since the 1998 renovation of Angel Stadium, packed the house...Read more

ATLANTA -- Rhys Hoskins crouched on the turf Tuesday night, two innings before he would deliver the decisive blow in a 5-1 win over the Braves. Hoskins took of his helmet and unstrapped his batting gloves. He had struck out for the third time. He held his hands to his head. The always unflappable Hoskins looked perturbed. It was a moment of ...Read more

CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo returned Tuesday night under chilly temperatures, but Ben Zobrist was scratched from the lineup as the Cubs found themselves struggling to muster enough resources against the rival Cardinals and nemesis Adam Wainwright.

Tyler Chatwood couldn't overcome control problems in low 30-degree weather Tuesday night as the Cubs ...Read more