As we head into Friday night in Major League Baseball, there's one really obvious storyline worth watching. We all know what that is.

Still, that's not the only game worth following. We already ran down all the fun series taking place this weekend. For Friday alone, stick right here for the nightly roundup. 

Friday's scores

Cubs 8, Cardinals 2 (box score)
Athletics 4, Phillies 0 (box score)
Dodgers 7, Nationals 0 (box score)
Yankees 8, Orioles 2 (box score)
Tigers 3, White Sox 2 (box score)
Reds 4, Pirates 2 (box score)
Red Sox 13, Rays 6 in 15 innings (box score)
Royals 4, Indians 3 (box score)
Braves 3, Mets 2 (box score)
Blue Jays 4, Twins 3 (box score)
Astros 5, Mariners 2 (box score)
Brewers 10, Marlins 2 (box score)
Rockies 6, Padres 1 (box score)
Angels 7, Rangers 6 (box score)
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2 (box score)

Royals beat Indians, snap winning streak at 22

As you see above, the Royals on Friday night in Cleveland defeated the Indians and in doing so snapped the Tribe's record winning streak at 22 games. It's the first loss the Indians have suffered since Aug. 23. 

In this one, KC center fielder Lorenzo Cain went 3 for 4 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. With two outs in the sixth, Cain's seeing-eye single scored Alex Gordon from second, which proved to be the deciding run. The Cleveland bullpen worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings, but starter Trevor Bauer's four runs allowed in 5 1/3 proved to be too much to overcome. 

Even so, the streak has all but locked up the AL Central title for the Indians, and along the way they also overtook the Astros and now are in line for top seed in the AL playoff bracket. As well, the Indians are now on pace for only the third 100-win season in franchise history.

As for whether the streak is an MLB record or "merely" an AL record, it's a matter of some controversy. The 1916 Giants are credited with a 26-game winning streak, but they had a tie game against the Pirates roughly midway through the streak. While the player statistics from that game counted, the game outcome did not. As such, some say the Giants had a record 26-game win streak. Others say the 1916 Giants have a 27-game unbeaten streak but that the 2017 Indians now own the longest win streak in MLB history. In this very space, we debated the issue. Regardless of where you come down on the issue, what ended on Friday night is one of the most impressive feats in baseball history.

So did the people of Cleveland enjoy the ride?

Yes, it seems they did. 

Maybe the Dodgers are back?

After some much-chronicled struggles, the Dodgers have now won three games in a row. Their rout Friday night in Washington also occasioned their 95th victory of the season. They've allowed four runs total in the past three games, and they put some additional distance between themselves and the Nationals in the race for top seed in the NL playoffs. 

In this one, Alex Wood, Pedro Baez, and Brock Stewart combined for the shutout, and along the way they struck out 13 batters. Here's a sampling ... 

That's only the second time this season the Nats have been shut out and struck out 10 or more times in the same game. This also marks a welcome return to form for Wood, who had struggled in his previous two starts. His eight strikeouts on the night are the most he has registered in a game since the first half of the season. More important: the Dodgers moved a step closer toward clinching their fifth consecutive NL West title.

The Cubs' bats are smoking

The ebbing and flowing NL Central leaders are flowing once again. As you see above, the Cubs thumped the Cardinals on Friday -- despite some early histrionics -- and in doing so won their fourth straight.

The story throughout that streak has been the offense. Over those four games, they've hung eight, 17, 14, and now eight runs on the opposition. While they missed out on Jacob deGrom during the recent sweep of the Mets, on Friday they knocked around Carlos Martinez, one of the NL's best starting pitchers. Reigning MVP Kris Bryant got things started with a nifty oppo taco ... 

In all, the Cubs hung seven earned on Martinez in 5 1/3 innings and worked him for 100 pitches over that span. The Cubs entered this game ranking second in the NL in runs scored and second in OPS. Sure, they've got some questions in the rotation, but when you're scoring runs like they have been lately, you don't need much in the way of pitching. Mostly, the reigning world champs continue to cling to that division lead over the Brewers and Cardinals, and it keeps getting later and later out there ... 

The Nats have updated Bryce Harper's status

GM Mike Rizzo tells MLB Network Radio that the team is "optimistic" Harper will be recovered from his August knee injury in time for the playoffs. Get the details here.

Quick hits

  • Speaking of the Indians' win streak, we broke it down by the numbers. 
  • You really need to see this catch by Kevin Kiermaier. 
  • The Red Sox and Yankees were both fined for using technology to steal signs. 
  • Make sure to check out this week's Keri the 10. Some great stuff in there on possible MVP ... Corey Kluber!
  • Do the Indians already have the longest winning streak ever? We debated. 
  • The Brewers did their best to make the Marlins feel at home in Miller Park on Friday night.
  • The Brewers announced that starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson will have shoulder surgery Tuesday. They won't know a timetable for his return until after the procedure. 
  • Cardinals infielder Kolten Wong left Friday's game due to a back injury. 
  • The Tigers have acquired RHP Elvin Rodriguez from the Angels to complete the earlier Justin Upton trade.