Fan News

For fantasy baseball players uninitiated to the 162-game MLB grind, the 2015 campaign has already lasted forever. While it's nearing the finish line, roughly two months remain to chase a championship.

With most trade deadlines approaching and head-to-head playoffs in sight, make-believe managers across the world are pressing the panic button. Even if only down a few points, the cavernous gap between fourth and first can feel wider than the Springfield Gorge.

It's time for another batch of MLB report cards. This time, we'll be grading each team's season at the three-fourths mark of the 2015 campaign. 

Every team is different, so there can't be one universal grading system. But in most cases, grades are directly correlated to preseason expectations.

Teams that were hyped to make noise in 2015 that have failed to do so will receive low marks, while under-the-radar clubs that have surprised the baseball world will earn higher grades. 

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 

It's true that it typically takes years for the bulk of a draft class to be rightfully called MLB-ready, just as it's true that minor league success doesn't always carry over into the big leagues. The 2015 class is no exception to those rules.

But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't get excited about some of the performances that we've seen thus far. After all, these players represent the future of our favorite teams, and for some, the future looks especially bright.

The 2015 American League wild-card race is like the La Brea Tar Pits: sticky, murky and crowded. Of course, instead of prehistoric creatures, we're dealing with baseball teams—but you get the idea.

Entering play Wednesday, six clubs—not counting the division leaders—sit within 3.5 games or fewer of a wild-card berth. 

For almost four years now, there has been absolutely no shortage of hype.

Ever since Theo Epstein agreed to turn around the Chicago Cubs to the tune of $18.5 million for five years, the North Side faithful—and beyond—have salivated for the season when the new president of baseball operations would make good. In Epstein's fourth season running the show, the hype is now developing into substance.

It came down to the wire, but thanks to a walk-off single from Austin Jackson in the 10th inning of the Seattle Mariners' showdown against the Baltimore Orioles, a little MLB history was made Tuesday night. 

According to Fox Sports MLB, Tuesday marked the first time since the league expanded to 30 franchises that all 15 home teams won on the same night. 

Thanks to a walk-off single by left fielder Michael Brantley, the Cleveland Indians downed the New York Yankees 5-4 in 16 innings Tuesday night.  

The sides entered the 10th inning tied 2-2 after Carlos Beltran launched a solo shot in the eighth, and when Chase Headley plated two runs with a single in the top of the 10th, New York appeared to seize an insurmountable edge. 

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco left Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a wrist injury. 

Continue for updates.

Franco Has a Wrist Contusion

Tuesday, August 11

Franco left Tuesday night's game against the Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch from Arizona's Jeremy Hellickson. 

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki watched as Franco went down: