A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:COLE'S ROLLGerrit Cole led the big leagues with 326 strikeouts, topped the AL with a 2.50 ERA and went 20-5, one win behind Astros teammate Justin Verlander for most in the majors. He also was 16-0 in his final 22 starts.Cole starts Game 2 of the AL Division Series, a day after Verlander pitched seven shutout innings of one-hit ball in a 6-2 win over Tampa Bay in the opener. Cole's strikeouts set a franchise record, topping the 313 fanned by J.R. Richard in 1979.Blake Snell (6-8, 4.29 ERA) pitches for the Rays. A year after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and winning the AL Cy Young Award, the lefty missed two months late in the season because of arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. Snell didn't get out of the third inning in any of his three September starts, but believes he'll be able to go quite a bit longer in this playoff outing."I feel very good," he said. "I feel like I'll be able to go five strong innings, if I'm... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:COLE'S ROLLGerrit Cole led the big leagues with 326 strikeouts, topped the AL with a 2.50 ERA and went 20-5, one win behind Astros teammate Justin Verlander for most in the majors. He also was 16-0 in his final 22 starts.Cole starts Game 2 of the AL Division Series, a day after Verlander pitched seven shutout innings of one-hit ball in a 6-2 win over Tampa Bay in the opener. Cole's strikeouts set a franchise record, topping the 313 fanned by J.R. Richard in 1979.Blake Snell (6-8, 4.29 ERA) pitches for the Rays. A year after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and winning the AL Cy Young Award, the lefty missed two months late in the season because of arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. Snell didn't get out of the third inning in any of his three September starts, but believes he'll be able to go quite a bit longer in this playoff outing."I feel very good," he said. "I feel like I'll be able to go five strong innings, if I'm... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves received approval Friday to replace injured reliever Chris Martin with Julio Teheran on their NL Division Series roster.The switch will have a big impact on the Braves' pitching plans, with 17-game winner Max Fried possibly taking a more significant role in the bullpen."It's going to affect the bullpen," manager Brian Snitker said before Game 2. "That's a huge hit right there. Probably Max is going to need to maybe fill that role and pitch some of those high-leverage innings late in the game. We know he can do it. And he's got stuff to do it and all that. That's probably going to elevate him to those roles now."Martin reported tightness in his left oblique while warming up for the eighth inning of Game 1 Thursday night. He left the field without facing a St. Louis batter and was replaced by Luke Jackson, who surrendered two runs to squander a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth off closer Mark Melancon and held on for a 7-6 victory to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves received approval Friday to replace injured reliever Chris Martin with Julio Teheran on their NL Division Series roster.Martin reported tightness in his left oblique while warming up for the eighth inning of Game 1 Thursday night. He left the field without facing a St. Louis batter and was replaced by Luke Jackson, who surrendered two runs to squander a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth off closer Mark Melancon and held on for a 7-6 victory to begin the best-of-five series.Martin was acquired from Texas before the trade deadline in one of three deals to bolster Atlanta's struggling bullpen. The 33-year-old right-hander went 1-1 with 4.08 ERA in 20 games for the Braves and was considered a key setup man along with Shane Greene.Major League Baseball approved the roster change before Game 2. Dr. Gary Green, MLB's medical director, confirmed the injury after communicating with the evaluating physician, as well as reviewing Martin's medical... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acuña Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles might lose 110 games and still not end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft.That race, so to speak, is pretty unforgiving this year.The Orioles (49-101) split a four-game series at Detroit (45-104) that matched the teams with the two worst records in baseball, and as far as those two teams have sunk, they figure to have company in the triple-digit-losses club. Miami and Kansas City are on pace to reach 100 defeats, and Toronto could end up there, too.After an age of relative parity, the gap between baseball's top and its bottom has widened.The standings looked a lot different earlier this decade. From 2010 through 2014, only one team reached 100 victories, and from 2014 through 2017, only one team reached 100 losses. (Trivia question: Name the teams.)Now, however, baseball has rebuilding teams aplenty — and juggernauts at the top. There were three 100-win teams in both 2017 and 2018. This season, the Astros, Yankees and Dodgers will likely get there, and Atlanta and... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles might lose 110 games and still not end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft.That race, so to speak, is pretty unforgiving this year.The Orioles (49-100) are in the middle of a four-game series at Detroit (44-104) that matches the teams with the two worst records in baseball. Baltimore won two of the first three, so that leaves the Orioles unlikely to finish behind the Tigers. As far as those two teams have sunk, they figure to have company in the triple-digit-losses club. Miami (52-97) and Kansas City (55-95) are on pace to reach 100 defeats, and Toronto (59-91) could end up there, too.After an age of relative parity, the gap between baseball's top and its bottom has widened.The standings looked a lot different earlier this decade. From 2010 through 2014, only one team reached 100 victories, and from 2014 through 2017, only one team reached 100 losses. (Trivia question: Name the teams.)Now, however, baseball has rebuilding teams aplenty — and juggernauts at the top.... [More]

Braves fourth. Josh Donaldson lines out to shortstop to Trea Turner. Nick Markakis doubles to deep center field. Matt Joyce singles to right center field. Nick Markakis scores. Tyler Flowers flies out to deep right center field to Victor Robles. Dansby Swanson doubles to deep right center field. Matt Joyce scores. Mike Soroka grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Braves fifth. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Charlie Culberson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ozzie Albies out at second. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Josh Donaldson walks. Charlie Culberson to second. Nick Markakis out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Victor Robles. Charlie Culberson to third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Matt Joyce called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Braves seventh. Ozzie Albies homers to center field. Charlie... [More]

White sox first. Leury Garcia singles to left field. Tim Anderson grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Leury Garcia to second. Jose Abreu lines out to second base to Ozzie Albies. Yoan Moncada singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Leury Garcia scores. Eloy Jimenez singles to shortstop. Yoan Moncada to third. Welington Castillo reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Eloy Jimenez out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 1, Braves 0.Braves first. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Dansby Swanson doubles to deep left field. Ozzie Albies scores. Freddie Freeman flies out to center field to Adam Engel. Josh Donaldson lines out to shortstop to Tim Anderson. Matt Joyce walks. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Matt Joyce to second. Dansby Swanson scores. Rafael Ortega singles to right center field. Tyler Flowers to third. Matt Joyce scores. Billy Hamilton doubles to deep right center field. Rafael Ortega to third. Tyler Flowers scores. Dallas... [More]

Rockies eighth. Dom Nunez doubles to right center field. Yonder Alonso pinch-hitting for Carlos Estevez. Yonder Alonso grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Dom Nunez to third. Charlie Blackmon out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Matt Joyce. Dom Nunez scores. Trevor Story singles to right field.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 1, Braves 0.Braves ninth. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging. Francisco Cervelli triples to deep right center field. Rafael Ortega walks. Adeiny Hechavarria pinch-hitting for Chris Martin. Adeiny Hechavarria out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Charlie Blackmon. Billy Hamilton scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Rockies 1.Rockies ninth. Nolan Arenado walks. Daniel Murphy strikes out swinging. Ryan McMahon homers to right field. Nolan Arenado scores.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 3, Braves 1.

Braves second. Matt Joyce walks. Adeiny Hechavarria walks. Matt Joyce to second. Francisco Cervelli doubles to deep left field, tagged out at third, J.D. Davis to Joe Panik to Todd Frazier to Pete Alonso. Adeiny Hechavarria scores. Matt Joyce scores. Rafael Ortega grounds out to second base, Pete Alonso to Zack Wheeler. Max Fried strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 2, Mets 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Pete Alonso. Ozzie Albies homers to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to center field to Juan Lagares. Josh Donaldson homers to center field. Matt Joyce walks. Adeiny Hechavarria flies out to deep right field to Michael Conforto.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Mets 0.Mets third. Juan Lagares doubles to deep right field. Zack Wheeler called out on strikes. Amed Rosario singles to shallow infield. Juan Lagares to third. Joe Panik reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Amed Rosario out at second.... [More]

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — José Quintana pitched seven crisp innings, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Sunday night in the MLB Little League Classic.Nicholas Castellanos and Jason Heyward also connected as Chicago earned its second straight win since consecutive heartbreaking losses to the Phillies and Pirates.The Cubs took two of three in the unusual weekend set and remain in a virtual tie with St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central.Starling Marté had three hits for Pittsburgh, including his 21st homer in the ninth. Mitch Keller (1-2) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings.With grinning Little Leaguers dressed in their uniforms filling the stands at BB&T Ballpark, Quintana (11-7) allowed five hits and walked none. The left-hander improved to 7-0 in nine starts since his last loss June 22.ASTROS 4, ATHLETICS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, helping the AL West-leading Astros avoid... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, pitching the first-place Houston Astros past the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep.Alex Bregman had a three-run homer among his four hits to back Greinke, who won his third straight start since joining the Astros from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the July 31 trade deadline.Greinke (13-4) went nine up, nine down on 25 pitches to start the game before giving up Marcus Semien's 21st homer. The right-hander allowed four hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He became the 115th pitcher in major league history to reach 200 career wins, and the second in Houston's rotation along with Justin Verlander.Roberto Osuna finished for his 27th save as the Astros stopped a five-game slide.Yuli Gurriel added an RBI double for Houston, which snapped Oakland's four-game winning streak. The Astros went back ahead of the A's by 7 1/2 games in the AL West race.Athletics lefty Brett Anderson (10-9) allowed... [More]

Braves second. Josh Donaldson singles to center field. Adam Duvall walks. Josh Donaldson to second. Johan Camargo reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Adam Duvall out at second. Josh Donaldson to third. Ender Inciarte doubles. Johan Camargo to third. Josh Donaldson scores. Tyler Flowers flies out to right field to Michael Conforto. Dallas Keuchel grounds out to shallow infield, Steven Matz to Pete Alonso.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 1, Mets 0.Mets seventh. Ruben Tejada flies out to right field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Juan Lagares flies out to right field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Steven Matz singles to right field. Amed Rosario singles to left center field, advances to 2nd. Steven Matz to third. J.D. Davis singles to center field. Amed Rosario scores. Steven Matz scores. Pete Alonso flies out to center field to Ender Inciarte.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 2, Braves 1.Braves seventh. Josh Donaldson walks. Adam Duvall singles to deep left field. Josh Donaldson to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Shane Greene has emerged as one of baseball's top closers.Now, he's got a chance to finish games that really matter.Greene was among three relievers acquired by the first-place Atlanta Braves before the trade deadline, and he'll be assuming a high-profile role right away after working in relative anonymity with the woeful Detroit Tigers."I'll be out there in the ninth," Greene said bluntly before Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.With one of baseball's most exciting young teams and holding a comfortable lead in the NL East, the Braves addressed their most pressing need by totally revamping the bullpen at the deadline.Greene will take over for struggling Luke Jackson as Atlanta's closer, Chris Martin assumes the eighth-inning setup role, and one-time closer Mark Melancon can expect to get the nod in the seventh when the Braves are looking to close out games with a 1-2-3 punch."This organization obviously has some issues they wanted to fix," Greene said. "We're here... [More]

Out of nowhere, the Houston Astros got a huge head start on October.On a dizzying day that featured two dozen trades, the Astros pulled off the biggest and most startling deal, adding ace Zack Greinke to an imposing rotation already loaded with All-Stars Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.Plenty of familiar names were on the go Wednesday — Shane Greene and Mark Melancon boosted the Braves' bullpen, with Scooter Gennett, Jesús Aguilar, Mike Leake and Tanner Roark among those also moving.But it was the Astros' acquisition of Greinke from Arizona for four minor leaguers that quickly became the talk of baseball. The deal came right before the deadline for swapping players to still have them eligible for the postseason."We had him high on our list and we didn't know this was even remotely possible and it really wasn't until the last 48 hours and really the last 24 hours that we started to get traction on something," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said.The AL West leaders and 2017 World Series... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — With a second straight trip to the playoffs firmly in their sights, the Atlanta Braves had plenty of options for improving their roster at the trade deadline.They could've pursued a position player to replace the injured Nick Markakis. Another starting pitcher would've fit nicely in a rotation that has been shaky at times.In the end, the Braves decided to focus on the bullpen.Atlanta pulled off a couple of deals at the trade deadline Wednesday, picking up closer Shane Greene from the Detroit Tigers and former closer Mark Melancon from the San Francisco Giants.The acquisitions by the first-place Braves came after Tuesday's trade that brought another reliever, Chris Martin of the Texas Rangers."We engaged everything — position players, starting pitchers, the bullpen — right up until the end," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "At the end of the day, where we thought there were deals that made sense for us and what we had to give up and so on, the bullpen made the most... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — With a second straight trip to the playoffs firmly in their sights, the Atlanta Braves had plenty of options for improving their roster at the trade deadline.They could've pursued a position player to replace the injured Nick Markakis. Another starting pitcher would've fit nicely in a rotation that has been shaky at times.In the end, the Braves decided to focus on the bullpen.Atlanta pulled off a couple of deals at the trade deadline Wednesday, picking up closer Shane Green from the Detroit Tigers and former closer Mark Melancon from the San Francisco Giants.The acquisitions by the first-place Braves came after Tuesday's trade that brought another reliever, Chris Martin of the Texas Rangers."We engaged everything — position players, starting pitchers, the bullpen — right up until the end," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "At the end of the day, where we thought there were deals that made sense for us and what we had to give up and so on, the bullpen made the most sense.... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):6:40 p.m.The Los Angeles Angels have acquired catcher Max Stassi from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor-league outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta.Stassi, who has played in parts of seven seasons with the Astros, is batting .167 with a home run and three RBIs in 31 games this season. General manager Billy Eppler said the move was more about adding catching depth and Stassi's strength behind the plate. According to MLB Statcast, Stassi is the second-best pitch framer in the AL with a 54.1% strike rate.Catcher Dustin Garneau was designated for assignment before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers..___5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners,... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners, an AL West rival that traded three pitchers Wednesday.Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says his team, which has dropped a game under .500, explored a lot of different options."There were a couple of things that got close later today that I thought might come to fruition, but ultimately it didn't line up for one side or the other," Daniels said, without getting into specifics.Minor, who is signed with the Rangers through next season, drew interest from teams looking to boost their rotations.Daniels said the Rangers weren't going to force a deal, and that the future options could include Minor pitching in Texas... [More]