New look in NL West, but same result

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Saturday, August 6

• New look in NL West, but same result: The Dodgers put up four runs in the first vs. the Padres and never looked back as they upped their NL West lead to an MLB-best 13 1/2 games.

• This year’s Braves outfield looks much different than the one that helped them win a World Series last year. But with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Eddie Rosario back to doing what they do, it appears the Atlanta outfielders might once again be a group of difference makers.

• White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease continues to bolster his case for the AL Cy Young Award after recording his 13th straight start allowing one earned run or fewer, establishing a new record.

• The Cardinals feel they are an infinitely better team when Paul DeJong is starting at shortstop and thriving at the plate. Case in point: His go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning to beat the Yankees.

• Not only has Trey Mancini’s start to his Astros tenure been electric, it’s also been record-setting. He has three hits, and they’ve all been home runs after a two-homer, five-RBI output on Friday night.

• In what felt like a postseason atmosphere in Minneapolis, the Twins walked off on the Blue Jays when Nick Gordon slid home on an infield grounder.

• The Rays worked 13 walks on Friday night, a franchise record, displaying patience that was eventually rewarded in a 5-3 win over the Tigers.

• In the best start of his Phillies tenure, Kyle Gibson carried a perfect game into the seventh inning as Philadelphia won for the eighth time in nine games, improving to a season-high 10 games over .500.

•  Julio Rodríguez is set to test his right wrist by swinging a bat this weekend and could be back in the lineup next week. Learn more about the Mariners phenom’s recovery and other injury updates.

More top news >

Presenting the 2022 Playoff Urgency Rankings

The regular season is wonderful. But let’s not kid ourselves: Ultimately, you’ve got to get yourself in the playoffs. That’s where the magic happens. October is what it’s all about.

But you’ve got to get in. No team has clinched a playoff spot, but four seem to be locks to make the postseason. Which means there are eight spots open for 14 teams: the Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Giants, Guardians, Mariners, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Rays, Red Sox, Twins and White Sox.

That means six of these teams aren’t going to make it. And a lot of these teams really need to make the playoffs. Thus, with two months left, we take a look at the Playoff Urgency Rankings, weighing just how much these 14 teams need to make the postseason this year.

Dodgers, fans join in a touching tribute to Scully

Before the first home game in Los Angeles since Vin Scully’s death, it was the Dodger Stadium crowd’s turn to say farewell.

On second thought … triple becomes home run

Elly De La Cruz has made a habit of showing up on highlight reels with his tape-measure home runs, but his latest dinger allowed him to showcase a pair of other tools — speed and creativity.

Why does Riley Greene sleep with his bat? This and other questions answered

Listen to the inaugural episode of “Fielding Questions,” a podcast in which hosts Sarah Langs and Mandy Bell share their love of the game by tackling the mysteries of our national pastime.

Sounds of Baseball: Vin Scully

Join MLB Network in reliving the iconic broadcaster’s greatest calls, tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

Today’s Trivia Question

Who was the last White Sox pitcher to lead the American League in ERA?

Answer »

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