Opinion

In 2014, the Kansas City Royals emerged as surprise World Series contenders and were nearly crowned champions. 

Which dark-horse teams could make a title push this season? What makes them threats?

Watch as Stephen Nelson and Scott Miller discuss dark-horse World Series contenders in the video above.

Baseball's rumor mill has its ups and downs, its peak periods of activity and lulls in the action, but it never actually stops spinning. While things have slowed down since the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, there's still plenty of rumor and speculation around for fans to sink their teeth into.

Some teams continue to try to figure out whether they're coming or going, contending or pretending, while others in the know have continued to make moves, albeit on a smaller scale than what we saw only a few weeks ago.

There are only four Major League Baseball games on Thursday's afternoon schedule. Short schedules are ideal for stacking your DraftKings lineup with position players from one team.

This time around, the Chicago Cubs are the team to lean on—hard.

Bleed Cubbie Blue—At Least for Day

Like Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier, Felix Hernandez has become a precious Seattle landmark. No matter how disappointing the Mariners are, no matter how much rain, sleet and even snow (jobs) they produce, King Felix always delivers.

Here he is again, tied for the most victories in baseball at 14-6, an absolute rock in a game of consistency, brilliant as a Pacific Northwest sunset.

First, let's take a moment to appreciate Hisashi Iwakuma's no-hitter, because no-hitters are awesome.

It's been a comeback year for the ages for Alex Rodriguez, who made his highly-publicized return to the Bronx after a year-long PED suspension. But the 40-year-old isn't the only breakout star getting attention in 2015. Outfielder Bryce Harper currently leads the National League with 29 home runs this season.

Which superstar is having a better comeback season?

The New York Yankees went on a run in July, taking a seven-game lead in the AL East. That was before the Toronto Blue Jays came to town. Now, the Bronx Bombers are down to just a 0.5-game lead in the division, as the Jays ride the wave of a nine-game win streak.

Is Toronto or New York the favorite to win the AL East?

Hustle hurrahs to you, Russell Martin. A whole basket of them, at least. 

You didn't have to go leaping into the dugout after foul balls like some kind of glove-wielding Davy Crockett, but you did that, and while it may have been counterproductive to catching the ball, we appreciate displays of Woodheadian grit around here.

NEW YORK — Troy Tulowitzki looks just fine in blue.

He looks comfortable. He looks happy. He looks like he really was just what the Toronto Blue Jays needed.

1. Dog Days Alert

Woof, woof, welcome to the dog days of August. These guys in particular are in need of some Scooby snacks, pronto:

The Los Angeles Dodgers Bullpen Problem