LEADING OFF: Alvarez carries U.S. flag, big rivalries abound
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)

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)

Jul. 17, 2021 07:49 PM 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)

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)

Jul. 17, 2021 09:39 PM EDT
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jul. 21, 2021 10:18 PM EDT
Boston Red Sox's Christian Vazquez (7) and Hunter Renfroe celebrate after Renfroe hit a home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

Boston Red Sox's Christian Vazquez (7) and Hunter Renfroe celebrate after Renfroe hit a home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

Jul. 21, 2021 09:51 PM EDT