An intense and nearly historic weather pattern is cooking much of America in a dangerous heat dome this week with triple-digit heat that hasn’t been seen in some places in more than a decade.

As we sit here on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers just beat the Guardians to pull within two games of first place in the AL Central. And no, I didn’t fall out of bed and bump my head.

The St. Louis Cardinals extended a losing steak to eight for the first time in 16 years, losing to the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in Adam Wainwright’s return from the injured list as Akil Baddoo hit a go-ahead double in the 10th inning.

Scott Rolen could become just the 18th third baseman elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame, the fewest of any position.

Aaron Nola pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning, Bryce Harper’s homer gave Philadelphia an early lead, and the Phillies held off the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 to sweep their National League wild-card series.

Casey Mize threw five scoreless innings Tuesday in the Detroit Tigers’ win over the St. Louis Cardinals, but it was his first career plate appearance that proved most memorable.

The Penn Relays also is aiming to host a meet for open and professional athletes and a scholastic meet in the coming months prior to U.S. Olympic qualifying deadlines. The number of fans will increase monthly if it's safe to do so, the Royals said in a news release. Team officials have worked for months with Kansas City health officials and the Jackson County Sports Authority to ensure fans will have a safe experience, the team said. Following approval by local health officials, attendance will be limited to 2,500 for the women’s tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and to 8,000 for the men’s tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Fans will be required to wear facemasks at the venues except for when they are actively consuming food or drink.

The deal did not include last year’s experimental rule to extend the designated hitter to the National League or expanded playoffs. After allowing 16 teams in the postseason last year instead of 10, MLB had proposed 14 for this year before withdrawing that plan last month. “We’re comfortable with both rules,” San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler wrote in a text to the AP. About 12% of games were part of doubleheaders, the highest percentage since 13.6 in 1978. “I actually liked both the seven-inning doubleheaders and the runner on second,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin wrote in a text to the AP.

Gibson's death came on the 52nd anniversary of perhaps his most overpowering performance, when he struck out a World Series record 17 batters in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit. Gibson died less than a month after the death of a longtime teammate, Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock. During the regular season, Gibson struck out more than 200 batters nine times and led the National League in shutouts four times, finishing with 56 in his career. (When the two faced off a decade later, at an old-timers game, Gibson beaned him). Gibson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1981, and the Cards retired his uniform number.

Pujols hit No. Pujols said that he received a text and email from Mays after he tied the Hall of Famer on Sunday in Colorado. Pujols added that he had not checked his phone after Friday's game to see how many congratulatory messages he had received. Pujols passed Mays with a solo drive to left. After the Rangers rallied to get within 3-2, Pujols led off the seventh with No.

Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, remains quiet Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)CHICAGO St. Louis' series opener against the Chicago White Sox has been postponed to Saturday, giving the Cardinals an extra day to recover from a coronavirus outbreak. But the series opener was pushed back to a doubleheader on Saturday, the beginning of an extended stay in the Windy City for the Cards. Two people with direct knowledge of the situation also confirmed the postponement of the series opener against the White Sox. St. Louis, the defending NL Central champions, has played just five games, winning two.

Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, remains quiet Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in St. Louis. There have now been 27 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of coronavirus concerns. Miami and Philadelphia each had seven games postponed earlier and have returned to the field since the disruptions. Eight of their players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina. On Sunday morning, the Pirates learned that Monday night's opener in St. Louis had been postponed.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks throws off the mound during baseball practice at Busch Stadium Friday, July 3, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Hard-throwing St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks has opted out of playing this season, citing pre-existing health concerns. Hicks had been taking part in workouts at Busch Stadium, leading up to the Cardinals' opener on July 24 at home against Pittsburgh. We respect and understand Jordans decision to opt out this season, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said. Carlos Martinez led St. Louis with 24 saves last season, posting his first save on June 1.

Nicholas Castellanos #6 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after breaking up a no hitter with a single off of Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on August 1, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo byST. LOUIS - Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos was a unique type of hero in his first game with the Chicago Cubs, breaking up a no-hitter and recording the only hit of the entire game for his new team. Castellanos batted second for the Cubs on Thursday as they battled NL Central co-leader St. Louis for sole possession of first place. It was by far the most meaningful game Castellanos has played in since 2016, but he likely didn't expect to be an offensive hero with a single, a walk, a strikeout and a line out. Castellanos hit a double and a single, and struck out three times in six at-bats that game.