Around the horn: A ringing endorsement for Olympic baseball?

Baseball is expected to return to the Olympic Games in 2020, with final approval from the International Olympic Committee scheduled for August. Baseball last appeared in the Olympics in 2008. The last two winning pitchers were Dodgers: Brett Anderson in the bronze medal game, for Team USA; Hyun-Jin Ryu in the gold medal game, for South Korea. …

Clayton Kershaw could become the first pitcher with more victories than walks since Bret Saberhagen in 1994. Other than Kershaw and Saberhagen, no major leaguer has accomplished that feat since 1919. Kershaw had seven victories and five walks through Friday’s games. … Also from High Heat Sports: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner has 11 home runs in his last 190 plate appearances, through Thursday. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper also each had 11 home runs in their last 190 plate appearances. …

Nolan Arenado, who might be Kershaw’s stiffest competition for NL MVP, unleashed a dugout tirade Friday, as his Colorado Rockies lost for the 12th time in 16 games. What did he say? “I can’t repeat a lot of that,” Arenado said. …

In March, the St. Louis Cardinals signed second baseman Kolten Wong to a five-year, $25-million contract extension. He’s about to go to the bench, as the Cardinals put Jhonny Peralta at third base and move Matt Carpenter to second. …

The Chicago Cubs’ Dexter Fowler has led off 24 games by reaching base, the major league leader in that category, through Friday’s games. The American League leader: the Angels’ Yunel Escobar, who has led off 23 games by reaching base.

DODGERS NEXT

vs. Colorado: Monday, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

at San Francisco: Friday, 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, 4:15 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Dodgers have lost 11 of last 14 games in San Francisco, including three of four this year.

ANGELS NEXT

at New York Yankees: Monday, 4 p.m.; Tuesday, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 4 p.m.; Thursday, 4 p.m.

vs. Cleveland: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Angels’ last postseason win: Oct. 22, 2009 vs. Yankees in ALCS. Jered Weaver pitched in relief.

MLB SERIES OF THE WEEK

Boston at San Francisco

Tuesday and Wednesday

The Giants have the best record of any major league team besides the Chicago Cubs (through Friday); the Red Sox lead the majors in runs scored. Each ace has pitched in 14 postseason games; the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner is 7-3 with a 2.14 ERA and Boston’s David Price is 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA.

MLB TWEETS OF THE WEEK

“Marlon Byrd is a joke. All you cheaters are a joke. Do it the right way one time, accept your ups & downs.”

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts), former major league pitcher, after Byrd was suspended 162 games for testing positive for a growth hormone, his second suspension under baseball’s drug policy.

“can I get back all the home runs he hit off me please? Thanks”

“Also last year magically returned from a broken wrist in 16 days, at age 38. Proceeded to homer off me that day.”

— Dan Haren (@ithrow88), former major league pitcher, in reaction to Byrd’s suspension.