American League
Central Division
White Sox: Are Chinese hackers responsible for Robin Ventura’s bullpen decisions? Checking the bullpen phones.
Indians: More fans gathering around LeBron James’ house than watching Indians pretend they’re contenders.
Royals: Baseball town? In opener of key showdown series with Tigers, Royals draw 21,755 to Kauffman Stadium.
Tigers: Hot start, big slump, nice rebound. Hard to figure out Tigers, the streakiest team in baseball.
Twins: Hometown player Brian Dozier invited to Home Run Derby in spite of career .393 slugging percentage.
East Division
Blue Jays: Modern baseball: Demoted outfielder Kevin Pillar apologizes via text to manager after throwing tantrum.
Orioles: Despite Matt Wieters’ season-ending injury and Nick Hundley’s .279 OBP, they’re not interested in A.J. Pierzynski.
Rays: Joe Maddon used what he called his “Tommy Tutone lineup:” 8-6-7-5-3-0-9. What else is left?
Red Sox: Anonymous players rip Pierzynski after he’s designated for assignment. No profiles in courage.
Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka suffers partially torn UCL after 18 starts. Yankees didn’t get a money-back guarantee.
West Division
Angels: Hector Santiago gets first victory in 12th start after being acquired from White Sox last winter.
Astros: After sweep of Rangers, out of last place by percentage points. Dallas Kuechel calls it “a little weird.”
Athletics: Jeff Samardzija says it’s a “bummer” he won’t get to pitch in All-Star Game. Getting to leave Cubs? Priceless.
Mariners: Top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker surprisingly sent to Triple A, but only to stay on schedule during break.
Rangers: With .137 average in first 16 games for Rangers, Carlos Pena’s extended career may end soon.
National League
Central Division
Cubs: Post-Samardzija Stress Factor leads to five straight losses, though owners ecstatic Wrigley renovation approved.
Brewers: Finally began free fall everyone outside of Wisconsin expected. Can Brew Crew rebound after break?
Cardinals: Yadier Molina says he “almost cried” after learning of a torn ligament in thumb. Cardinals Nation bawled for him.
Pirates: Merry-go-round continues. Francisco Liriano returns from DL on Sunday; Gerrit Cole goes on it.
Reds: Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips out with injuries, weakening lineup ranked 22nd in runs scored entering weekend.
East Division
Braves: B.J. Upton entered weekend on pace for 210 strikeouts. Mark Reynolds holds all-time record of 223 in 2009.
Marlins: Former Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen says Giancarlo Stanton “might hit 70” homers in Boston, New York or Texas.
Mets: Rumor persists Mets interested in dealing pitching for Cubs’ Starlin Castro, who probably won’t go anywhere.
Nationals: After return from thumb injury, Bryce Harper hits .129 in first 31 at-bats, with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit.
Phillies: Brief resurgence before market correction. Ryne Sandberg: “I’m surprised because it all happened so quickly.”
West Division
Diamondbacks: No quick fix for Tony La Russa: D’backs starters had 4.57 ERA on Friday, fourth worst in majors.
Dodgers: Amazing Clayton Kershaw enters break with 0.83 WHIP and 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
Giants: Hard to imagine how team ranked 24th in hitting entering weekend once had 91/2-game lead over Dodgers.
Padres: After signing six-year, $35.5 million extension, Jedd Gyorko hit .162 with a .213 OBP in 221 plate appearances.
Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki led majors in WAR, but unlikely to win MVP on awful Rockies.
