Mike Foltynewicz
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 22, 2021 02:34 AM EDT

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler follows through on a delivery to a Colorado Rockies batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound

By The Associated Press Jul. 21, 2021 10:50 PM EDT

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Justin Dunn motions and looks skyward as he comes off the field after being removed during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Mariners win 3-2, hand Rangers 11th straight road loss

By Chris Talbott May. 30, 2021 01:21 AM EDT

New York Yankees second baseman Rougned Odor fields a double play ball in the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The Rangers' David Dahl was forced at second on the play. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
LeMahieu season-high 3 RBIs for Yankees in 7-4 win at Texas

By Stephen Hawkins May. 18, 2021 11:45 PM EDT

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole adjust his cap as he works against the Texas Rangers in the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Rangers snap 6-game skid with 5-2 win over Yankees and Cole

By Stephen Hawkins May. 17, 2021 10:56 PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by Randal Grichuk after hitting a two-run home run, which scored Grichuk, as Texas Rangers catcher Jose Trevino and home plate umpire Jansen Visconti look on during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, April 5, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Blue Jays spoil Rangers home opener before largest MLB crowd

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 05, 2021 07:19 PM EDT

Fans scramble for a foul ball during the first inning of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Rangers fill stands with fans, who accept 'calculated risk'

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 05, 2021 05:33 PM EDT

An electronic sign encouraging mask wearing is seen at Nationals Stadium, after the opening day baseball game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was postponed because of coronavirus concerns, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Washington. The entire season-opening three-game series between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets was called off on Friday after three players for the 2019 World Series champions tested positive for COVID-19.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
LEADING OFF: Braves-Nats wait to play, Rangers welcome fans

By The Associated Press Apr. 04, 2021 07:18 PM EDT

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher A.J. Puk throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
American League West Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 07:50 PM EDT

FILE - Texas Rangers' Joey Gallo celebrates as he crosses the plate after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, in Surprise, Ariz., in this Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, file photo. Gallo went into spring training trying to lower his launch angle, straighten up his posture and hit more line drives. The Texas Rangers slugger wasn't worried about trying to hit home runs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Rangers in rebuilding mode decade after only 2 World Series

By Stephen Hawkins Mar. 17, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

San Francisco Giants' Drew Smyly, rear, pitches against Colorado Rockies' Raimel Tapia during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
LHP Drew Smyly, Braves agree to $11 million, 1-year contract

By Paul Newberry Nov. 16, 2020 06:59 PM EST

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
LEADING OFF: Pirates, Puerto Rican MLBers wear Clemente's 21

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 10:17 PM EDT

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tommy Milone (69) delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Pitching-desperate Braves acquire LH Milone from Orioles

By Paul Newberry Aug. 30, 2020 02:05 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. catches a fly out by Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper during the fifth inning of the second baseball game in a doubleheader, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Braves call up top prospect Anderson to face Cole, Yankees

By Paul Newberry Aug. 25, 2020 04:34 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) makes a sliding catch on a foul ball by Toronto Blue Jays Danny Jansen in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Riley's 3-run homer helps Fried, Braves beat Blue Jays 10-1

By Charles Odum Aug. 04, 2020 11:19 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) waits for assistance from the training staff after being injured in the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Atlanta. Soroaka was helped to the dugout and replaced. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Done for the year: Braves ace Soroka felled by torn Achilles

By Paul Newberry Aug. 04, 2020 09:31 AM EDT

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (26) gets ready for a practice baseball game, Thursday, July 9, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Sign of times: Braves quickly ran out of patience with Folty

By Paul Newberry Jul. 28, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 26, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Swanson ties career high with 5 RBIs, Braves rout Mets 14-1

By Ronald Blum Jul. 26, 2020 10:43 PM EDT

CORRECTS TO TRIPLE, INSTEAD OF DOUBLE - Tampa Bay Rays' Kevin Kiermaier follows the flight of his two-run triple off Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Shun Yamaguchi during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 26, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays won 6-5. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Kiermaier's triple in 10th lifts Rays over Blue Jays, 6-5

By Fred Goodall Jul. 26, 2020 05:40 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Rays' Tyler Glasnow throws during baseball practice Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Puig picks Braves, Glasnow makes strong return to Rays

By Charles Odum Jul. 14, 2020 06:59 PM EDT