A capsule look at the best-of-three playoff series between the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs beginning Wednesday. All games in Chicago: ___ MIAMI MARLINS Record: 31-29. Playoff Entry: second place, NL East. Playoff Seed: No. 6. Manager: Don Mattingly (fifth season). Projected Rotation: RHP Pablo Lopez (6-4, 3.61 ERA, 59 Ks), RHP Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.00), RHP Sixto Sanchez (3-2, 3.46). Top Hitters: 1B Jesus Aguilar (.277, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs), SS Miguel Rojas (.304, 4, 20, .888 OPS). Top Relievers: RHP Brandon Kintzler (2-3, 2.22 ERA, 12 saves), RHP Brad Boxberger (1-0, 3.00). Series Summary: The Marlins are in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, when they rallied past the Cubs in an NL Championship Series famous for the Steve Bartman episode at Wrigley Field. Then the Marlins beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. ... After losing 105 games last year, Miami finished with a winning record for the first time since 2009. The club overcame a coronavirus outbreak at the start... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Brandon Kintzler escaped a bases-loaded jam to end it and the Miami Marlins kept up their playoff push, scratching out a late unearned run off Max Scherzer to beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Sunday to open a doubleheader. The Marlins began the day with a half-game lead over Philadelphia for second place in the NL East. The top two teams in each division are assured spots in the expanded postseason field — two extra wild-card clubs will advance, too. A two-out error by first baseman Eric Thames in the sixth inning gave Miami the go-ahead run. Washington threatened in the seventh and final inning when Luis Garcia led off with a single and pinch hitter Yadiel Hernandez followed with a ground-rule double off Kintzler. After Andrew Stevenson flied out to short right, Trea Turner hit a hard smash to Kintzler, who got Garcia out on a rundown that left runners still at second and third. Juan Soto was intentionally walked before Kintzler struck out Kurt Suzuki for his 10th save. Matt... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tim Anderson hit two of Chicago’s five solo homers, and the White Sox — already guaranteed a playoff spot — took another step toward the AL Central title by overpowering the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Saturday night. Chicago has won eight of its last 10 games, securing at least a wild card and its first postseason appearance since 2008. José Abreu hit his fifth homer in eight games as the White Sox piled them up, including three in a row in the eighth off Robert Stephenson. Abreu has 18 homers overall. The Reds managed six hits as they had their season-high winning streak snapped at six games. Cincinnati (26-27) wasted a chance to move above .500 for the first time since its season-opening win over the Tigers. Nomar Mazara was in a 3-for-25 slump with 11 strikeouts when he connected off Trevor Bauer (4-4) in the fifth inning for his first homer. One out later, Anderson’s ninth homer made it 2-0. Bauer went seven innings and gave up five hits while throwing 107 pitches. Matt... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched five shutout innings and struck out seven, and the Miami Marlins stumbled in their playoff run with a 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Rafael Devers had a three-run homer, Kevin Plawecki hit a two-run single and Alex Verdugo had three hits for the Red Sox. Seeking its first postseason appearance since winning the 2003 World Series, Miami is second in the NL East . The Marlins fell three games behind division-leading Atlanta, which was idle. Eovaldi (3-2) didn't allow a hit until Garrett Cooper's leadoff double in the fifth. Miguel Rojas singled but Eovaldi struck out Jazz Chisholm and Chad Wallach, then retired Corey Dickerson on a groundout. A 30-year-old right-hander who was with the Marlins from 2012-14, Eovaldi was lifted after 76 pitches in his second appearance since returning Sept. 12 a stint on the injured list caused by a strained right calf. Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless eighth, and Matt Barnes got three straight out for his eighth... [More]

Marlins first. Miguel Rojas flies out to center field to Alex Verdugo. Jesus Aguilar singles to left field. Brian Anderson called out on strikes. Garrett Cooper homers to center field. Jesus Aguilar scores. Lewis Brinson grounds out to third base, Rafael Devers to Bobby Dalbec.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 2, Red sox 0.Red sox third. Alex Verdugo singles to shallow center field. Rafael Devers hit by pitch. Alex Verdugo to second. Xander Bogaerts grounds out to shallow infield, Brian Anderson to Garrett Cooper. Rafael Devers to second. Alex Verdugo to third. J.D. Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Lewis Brinson. Rafael Devers to third. Alex Verdugo scores. Christian Vazquez walks. Yairo Munoz lines out to shallow infield, Trevor Rogers to Garrett Cooper.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 2, Red sox 1.Marlins third. Miguel Rojas doubles. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. Brian Anderson singles to right field. Miguel Rojas scores. Garrett Cooper... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen homers to center field. Bryce Harper lines out to center field to Starling Marte. Alec Bohm pops out to shallow center field to Isan Diaz. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow infield, Jazz Chisholm to Garrett Cooper.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Matt Joyce singles to right field. Garrett Cooper grounds out to shallow infield, Vince Velasquez to Phil Gosselin. Matt Joyce to second. Jazz Chisholm singles to center field. Matt Joyce scores. Miguel Rojas walks. Isan Diaz grounds out to shallow infield, Vince Velasquez to Phil Gosselin. Miguel Rojas to second. Jazz Chisholm to third. Chad Wallach strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Marlins third. Corey Dickerson doubles to left field. Starling Marte singles to right field. Corey Dickerson to third. Jesus Aguilar doubles to third base. Starling Marte scores. Corey Dickerson scores. Matt Joyce strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Braxton Garrett allowed three hits over five innings to win his major league debut, and the Miami Marlins beat the Phillies 8-1 to complete doubleheader sweep and leapfrog Philadelphia for second place in the NL East.Rookie Sixto Sánchez pitched a three-hitter over seven innings to win the opener 2-1, his first complete game in five major league starts.Garrett, a 23-year-old left-hander, was recalled as Miami’s 29th man. Garrett (1-0) allowed one run, struck out six and walked two, giving up a second-inning homer to Alex Bohm, who is 10 for 20 in the series.Starling Marte had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Jesús Aguilar had two hits and two RBIs.Miami (23-21) has won four of the first six-games against the Phillies (23-22) in the major leagues’ first seven-game, regular-season series since 1967. The teams play again Monday.Zach Eflin (2-2) allowed four runs, eight hits and two walks in four-plus innings for the Phillies, who have lost five of seven.Aguilar, Matt... [More]

Marlins first. Corey Dickerson walks. Starling Marte singles to shallow infield. Corey Dickerson to second. Jesus Aguilar singles to right field. Starling Marte to third. Corey Dickerson scores. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Jesus Aguilar to second. Starling Marte scores. Brian Anderson singles to right field. Matt Joyce to third. Jesus Aguilar scores. Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging. Brian Anderson out at second. Jazz Chisholm grounds out to shallow infield, Didi Gregorius to Phil Gosselin.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 0.Phillies second. Alec Bohm homers to center field. Didi Gregorius singles to right field. Phil Gosselin walks. Didi Gregorius to second. Kyle Garlick reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Phil Gosselin to second. Didi Gregorius out at third. Andrew Knapp strikes out on a foul tip. Ronald Torreyes grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 1.Marlins third.... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Rookie Sixto Sánchez pitched a three-hitter over seven innings for his first complete game in five major league starts, leading the Miami Marlins over Philadelphia 2-1 Sunday in a doubleheader opener to close on the second-place Phillies in the NL East.Facing the organization that traded him before the 2019 season, Sanchez (3-1) struck out four, walked three and hit a batter. He became the second Marlins pitcher to go the distance by his fifth game. The Marlins acquired Sanchez and catcher Jorge Alfaro for catcher J.T. Realmuto, who did not play after getting banged up Saturday.Miami (22-20), in line for a playoff berth as a wild card, moved within a half-game of the Phillies (23-21). Zach Eflin (2-1) was to start the second game for Philadelphia, the next-to-last game of the major leagues' first seven-game, regular-season series since 1967.Rookie Ramón Rosso (0-1) made his first big league start after five relief appearances and allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen called out on strikes. Rhys Hoskins reaches on error. Fielding error by Brian Anderson. Bryce Harper walks. J.T. Realmuto walks. Bryce Harper to second. Rhys Hoskins to third. Didi Gregorius homers to right field. J.T. Realmuto scores. Bryce Harper scores. Rhys Hoskins scores. Jean Segura strikes out swinging. Alec Bohm grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Jesus Aguilar.4 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Phillies 4, Marlins 0.Phillies third. Bryce Harper homers to left field. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Jean Segura lines out to left center field to Corey Dickerson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 5, Marlins 0.Marlins fourth. Corey Dickerson strikes out swinging. Starling Marte strikes out on a foul tip. Jesus Aguilar singles to right center field. Matt Joyce walks. Jesus Aguilar to second. Brian Anderson homers to left field.... [More]

Phillies third. Andrew Knapp singles to right center field. Ronald Torreyes lines out to center field to Starling Marte. Andrew McCutchen singles to second base. Andrew Knapp to third. Rhys Hoskins grounds out to shallow infield, Daniel Castano to Garrett Cooper. Andrew McCutchen to second. Andrew Knapp scores. Bryce Harper walks. J.T. Realmuto pops out to shallow center field to Isan Diaz.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins third. Miguel Rojas grounds out to shallow infield, Ronald Torreyes to Rhys Hoskins. Lewis Brinson homers to left field. Jorge Alfaro lines out to shallow right field to Rhys Hoskins. Corey Dickerson singles to first base. Starling Marte walks. Corey Dickerson to second. Jesus Aguilar pinch-hitting for Matt Joyce. Jesus Aguilar lines out to center field to Bryce Harper.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Marlins fourth. Brian Anderson singles to shallow infield. Garrett Cooper singles to right field. Brian Anderson... [More]

Phillies third. Alec Bohm grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Adam Haseley doubles to deep center field. Andrew McCutchen homers. Adam Haseley scores. Rhys Hoskins singles to shortstop. Bryce Harper flies out to left center field to Corey Dickerson. J.T. Realmuto hit by pitch. Rhys Hoskins to second. Jean Segura doubles to deep left field. J.T. Realmuto scores. Rhys Hoskins scores. Didi Gregorius flies out to deep right field to Matt Joyce.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Marlins 0.Phillies fourth. Phil Gosselin reaches on error. Throwing error by Brian Anderson. Alec Bohm singles to center field. Phil Gosselin to third. Adam Haseley singles to right field. Alec Bohm to second. Phil Gosselin scores. Andrew McCutchen singles to deep center field. Adam Haseley to third. Alec Bohm scores. Rhys Hoskins homers to left field. Andrew McCutchen scores. Adam Haseley scores. Bryce Harper pops out to shallow infield to Chad Wallach. J.T. Realmuto strikes... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen grounds out to shallow left field, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Rhys Hoskins singles to shallow infield. Bryce Harper walks. Rhys Hoskins to third. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Rhys Hoskins scores. Didi Gregorius pops out to shallow right field to Jazz Chisholm.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins first. Corey Dickerson walks. Starling Marte doubles to third base. Corey Dickerson scores. Jesus Aguilar walks. Matt Joyce called out on strikes. Brian Anderson strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper lines out to deep left field to Andrew McCutchen.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Phillies second. Jean Segura lines out to shortstop to Miguel Rojas. Andrew Knapp reaches on error. Fielding error by Jesus Aguilar. Alec Bohm singles to right center field, advances to 3rd. Andrew Knapp scores. Fielding error by Starling Marte. Adam Haseley singles to left center field. Alec... [More]

Marlins second. Garrett Cooper doubles to left field. Lewis Brinson strikes out swinging. Monte Harrison strikes out swinging. Jorge Alfaro singles to left field. Garrett Cooper scores. Jazz Chisholm triples to deep right center field. Jorge Alfaro scores. Miguel Rojas grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Braves 0.Braves second. Dansby Swanson singles to deep left field. Austin Riley walks. Dansby Swanson to second. Adam Duvall walks. Austin Riley to second. Dansby Swanson to third. Ozzie Albies grounds out to first base, Garrett Cooper to Pablo Lopez. Adam Duvall to second. Austin Riley to third. Dansby Swanson scores. Ender Inciarte out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Starling Marte. Adam Duvall to third. Austin Riley scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Freddie Freeman singles to right field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Adam Duvall scores. Marcell Ozuna singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Ronald... [More]

Marlins second. Matt Joyce homers to right field. Brian Anderson singles to right center field. Garrett Cooper lines out to deep center field to Ender Inciarte. Jazz Chisholm called out on strikes. Miguel Rojas grounds out to shallow infield, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Braves 0.Marlins third. Jorge Alfaro homers to center field. Corey Dickerson doubles to deep left center field. Starling Marte strikes out swinging. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. Matt Joyce strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Braves 0.Marlins fourth. Brian Anderson walks. Garrett Cooper homers to left field. Brian Anderson scores. Jazz Chisholm walks. Miguel Rojas grounds out to shallow infield, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Jorge Alfaro singles to left field. Jazz Chisholm scores. Corey Dickerson grounds out to first base, Freddie Freeman to Kyle Wright. Jorge Alfaro to third. Starling Marte grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson... [More]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Chad Green and Adam Ottavino were routed during a 10-run sixth inning that included Danny Jansen’s grand slam, and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Yankees 12-7 Monday night and send skidding New York to its sixth loss in seven games.New York has lost four straight and 14 of 19, dropping into third place in the AL East, two games behind second-place Toronto and 6 1/2 back of Tampa Bay. At 21-20 overall following a 16-6 start, the Yankees have dropped into the AL’s eighth and final playoff position.With general manager Brian Cashman making a rare road trip, New York led 6-2 when Green replaced Jonathan Holder going to the bottom of the sixth. Green, Ottavino (2-3) and Luis Cessa needed 67 pitches and 43 minutes to get three outs. New York had not allowed 10 runs in an inning since CC Sabathia and Esmil Rogers were hit hard in the third inning of a 15-4 loss to Texas on May 23, 2015.Sean Reid-Foley (1-0) won despite a bases-loaded walk to Aaron Hicks in the sixth... [More]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Chad Green and Adam Ottavino were routed during a 10-run sixth inning that included Danny Jansen’s grand slam, and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Yankees 12-7 Monday night and send skidding New York to its sixth loss in seven games.New York has lost four straight and 14 of 19, dropping into third place in the AL East, two games behind second-place Toronto and 6 1/2 back of Tampa Bay. At 21-20 overall following a 16-6 start, the Yankees have dropped into the AL’s eighth and final playoff position.With general manager Brian Cashman making a rare road trip, New York led 6-2 when Green replaced Jonathan Holder going to the bottom of the sixth. Green, Ottavino (2-3) and Luis Cessa needed 67 pitches and 43 minutes to get three outs. New York had not allowed 10 runs in an inning since CC Sabathia and Esmil Rogers were hit hard in the third inning of a 15-4 loss to Texas on May 23, 2015.Sean Reid-Foley (1-0) won despite a bases-loaded walk to Aaron Hicks in the sixth... [More]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Chad Green and Adam Ottavino were routed during a 10-run sixth inning that included Danny Jansen’s grand slam, and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Yankees 12-7 Monday night and send skidding New York to its sixth loss in seven games.New York has lost four straight and 14 of 19, dropping into third place in the AL East, two games behind second-place Toronto and 6 1/2 back of Tampa Bay. At 21-20 overall following a 16-6 start, the Yankees have dropped into the AL’s eighth and final playoff position.With general manager Brian Cashman making a rare road trip, New York led 6-2 when Green replaced Jonathan Holder going to the bottom of the sixth. Green, Ottavino (2-3) and Luis Cessa needed 67 pitches and 43 minutes to get three outs. New York had not allowed 10 runs in an inning since CC Sabathia and Esmil Rogers were hit hard in the third inning of a 15-4 loss to Texas on May 23, 2015.Sean Reid-Foley (1-0) won despite a bases-loaded walk to Aaron Hicks in the sixth... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jean Segura hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and drove in a career-best five runs, bailing out Philadelphia's abominable bullpen and helping the Phillies beat the the New York Mets 9-8 on Monday for a split of their four-game series. The Mets erased a 6-0 deficit against former teammate Zack Wheeler and baseball’s worst bullpen, taking a 7-6 lead on Jeff McNeil’s three-run homer in the seventh inning.Segura hit his fifth homer of the season with two outs in the 10th, lining a pitch from Miguel Castro (1-1) over the wall in left-center. Brandon Workman (1-1) got the win.Héctor Neris allowed an RBI single to Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the 10th but still completed his third save.Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto homered for Philadelphia, which moved 3 1/2 games ahead of New York for second place in the NL East.CUBS 5, CARDINALS 1CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks went eight innings, helping the NL Central-leading Cubs to the victory.The Cubs got just the sort of start they... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jean Segura hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and drove in a career-best five runs, bailing out Philadelphia's abominable bullpen and helping the Phillies beat the the New York Mets 9-8 on Monday for a split of their four-game series. The Mets erased a 6-0 deficit against former teammate Zack Wheeler and baseball’s worst bullpen, taking a 7-6 lead on Jeff McNeil’s three-run homer in the seventh inning.Segura hit his fifth homer of the season with two outs in the 10th, lining a pitch from Miguel Castro (1-1) over the wall in left-center. Brandon Workman (1-1) got the win.Héctor Neris allowed an RBI single to Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the 10th but still completed his third save.Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto homered for Philadelphia, which moved 3 1/2 games ahead of New York for second place in the NL East.MARLINS 5, BRAVES 4, 10 INNINGSATLANTA (AP) — Miguel Rojas had four hits for Miami, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning.Atlanta's Adam Duvall led off... [More]