BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox ace Chris Sale and manager Alex Cora both made early exits in Boston's 7-2 loss to Houston in Game 1 of AL Championship Series on Saturday night.Sale lasted just four innings, giving up two runs, one hit, four walks and a hit batter.Cora wasn't far behind the lanky left-hander going back to the clubhouse. The rookie manager was ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning with the game tied 2-2 after arguing a called third strike on Andrew Benintendi that ended Boston's first rally of the game."You can't argue balls and strikes, and I did," Cora said. "It's kind of like embarrassing that it happens in the playoffs. That wasn't cool watching the game in the clubhouse. ... But sometimes you got to do what you got to do, and you've got to defend your players."Sale opened the game with an eight-pitch walk to George Springer and struggled through the first three innings with subpar stuff and location."I just went out there and lost it for a little bit," Sale said.Houston took... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox ace Chris Sale and manager Alex Cora both made early exits in Boston's 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 1 of AL Championship Series on Saturday night.Sale lasted just four innings, giving up two runs on one hit, four walks and a hit batter.Cora wasn't far behind the lanky left-hander going back to the clubhouse. The rookie manager was ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning with the game tied 2-2 after arguing a called third strike on Andrew Benintendi that ended Boston's first rally of the game.Sale opened the game with an eight-pitch walk to George Springer and struggled through the first three innings with subpar stuff and location.Houston took advantage in the second. Sale got two quick outs, but then walked Carlos Correa, plunked Martin Maldonado on the hand with a fastball and walked Josh Reddick. Springer followed with a hard grounder past third baseman Eduardo Nunez to put Boston ahead 2-0.Sale decided to go sleeveless despite a 48-degree first pitch,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox ace Chris Sale and manager Alex Cora both made early exits in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros.Sale lasted just four innings Saturday night, giving up two runs on one hit and four walks.Cora wasn't far behind the lanky left-hander going back to the clubhouse. The rookie manager was ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning with the game tied 2-2 after arguing a called third strike on Andrew Benintendi that ended Boston's first rally of the game.Sale opened the game with an eight-pitch walk to George Springer and struggled through the first three innings with subpar stuff and location.Houston took advantage in the second. Sale got two quick outs, but then walked Carlos Correa, plunked Martin Maldonado on the hand with a fastball and walked Josh Reddick. Springer followed with a hard grounder past third baseman Eduardo Nunez to put Boston ahead 2-0.Sale decided to go sleeveless despite a 48-degree first pitch, and it took too long for his... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Ask Houston manager AJ Hinch to name the best thing about George Springer and he rattles off a laundry list of qualities he admires in the outfielder.When he finishes that list, he adds a final thought."I'm not sure there's a perfect player," Hinch said. "But he's pretty close."Last year's World Series MVP hit three homers during a sweep of Cleveland in the AL Division Series, and the Astros look for him to keep delivering as they prepare for Boston's powerful lineup in the AL Championship Series beginning Saturday."There's nothing not to like about Springer," Hinch said. "His makeup's good, his effort's good, his competitiveness is off the charts, he's happy when he comes to the ballpark every day, blends in well with all aspects of the clubhouse."Springer's three homers are tied with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the most this postseason and his six hits rank third in the playoffs. It's a continuation of the work he did in helping the Astros to their first World Series... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox hope home-field advantage makes a difference after consecutive Division Series eliminations.Boston began the postseason 0-2 on the road at Cleveland in 2016 and again at Houston last year.By winning a club-record 108 games this season, the Red Sox ensured home-field advantage through the postseason. They split at home against the Yankees last weekend, swept a pair of games in New York to advance and open the AL Championship Series against the World Series champion Astros on Saturday night.Chris Sale starts for the Red Sox and Justin Verlander for the Astros.Sale gave up seven runs in last year's opening 8-2 loss to Houston, including two home runs by Jose Altuve and by Alex Bregman. Sale made a rare relief appearance in Game 4 at Fenway Park, replacing Rick Porcello to start the fourth inning with Boston trailing 2-1. After Andrew Benintendi's two-run homer put the Red Sox ahead, Sale allowed Bregman's tying home run leading off the eighth and a one-out single... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Sunday, at Boston, 7:09 p.m.; Game 3, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Houston, 5:09 p.m.; Game 4, Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Houston, 8:39 p.m.; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 18, at Houston, 8:09 p.m.; x-Game 6, Saturday, Oct. 20, at Boston, 5:09 p.m.; x-Game 7, Sunday, Oct. 21, at Boston, 7:39 p.m. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineup:Astros: CF George Springer (.265, 22 HRs, 71 RBIs), 2B Jose Altuve (.315, 13, 61), 3B Alex Bregman (.286, 31, 103, AL-best 51 doubles, 84 walks, 82 Ks), 1B Yuli Gurriel (.291, 13, 85), LF Marwin Gonzalez (.247, 16, 68), RF Josh Reddick (.242, 17, 47), SS Carlos Correa (.239, 15, 65), DH Tyler White (.276, 12, 42, .888 OPS in 66 games) or Tony Kemp (.263, 6, 30 in 97 games) or Evan Gattis (.226, 25, 78), C Martin Maldonado (.225, 9, 44 for Angels... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Bregman is getting his wish — the Houston Astros are headed for prime time.Major League Baseball released the schedule for Games 1 and 2 of the NL and AL Championship Series on Tuesday, and the Astros will play either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees on Saturday and Sunday nights.The Astros played all three of their AL Division Series games against the Cleveland Indians in the afternoon, with Red Sox and Yankees playing exclusively in prime time.Bregman sounded off about the scheduling decision to ESPN after the defending World Series champions completed a three-game sweep of the Indians on Monday."Does Floyd Mayweather fight the first fight of the night, or is he the main event?" Bregman said. "I mean, does Tiger Woods tee off at 8 a.m.? It's about time the show 'Stros play on prime-time television, so we're looking forward to the ALCS."Game 1 of the ALCS will be at 8:09 p.m. Saturday, and Game 2 will be at 7:09 p.m. Sunday. Game 1 of the NLCS between Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be Friday at 8:09 p.m., and Game 2 will be Saturday at 4:09 p.m. The schedule is the same as last year, and Houston would have played Game 2 in prime time regardless because it is the only scheduled game that day.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Bregman is getting his wish — the Houston Astros are headed for prime time.Major League Baseball released the schedule for Games 1 and 2 of the NL and AL Championship Series on Tuesday, and the Astros will play either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees on Saturday and Sunday nights.The Astros played all three of their AL Division Series games against the Cleveland Indians in the afternoon, with Red Sox and Yankees playing exclusively in prime time.Bregman sounded off about the scheduling decision to ESPN after the defending World Series champions completed a three-game sweep of the Indians on Monday."Does Floyd Mayweather fight the first fight of the night, or is he the main event?" Bregman said. "I mean, does Tiger Woods tee off at 8 a.m.? It's about time the show 'Stros play on prime-time television, so we're looking forward to the ALCS."Game 1 of the ALCS will be at 8:09 p.m. Saturday, and Game 2 will be at 7:09 p.m. Sunday. Game 1 of the NLCS between Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be Friday at 8:09 p.m., and Game 2 will be Saturday at 4:09 p.m. The schedule is the same as last year, and Houston would have played Game 2 in prime time regardless because it is the only scheduled game that day.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — When the challenge arose in August, the Houston Astros responded like champions.They're doing it again in October.Two months ago, last year's World Series winners hit one of those predictable lulls that every team encounters during the dog days of a season. Maybe feeling a bit overconfident and invincible, the Astros were caught atop the AL West by the Oakland Athletics, a scrappy squad that sneaked up on everyone in 2018.But just when it appeared the Astros might be in some trouble, they switched on their after-burners. After Aug. 18, Houston went 29-10 to finish with 103 wins."There is an extra gear that our guys have," explained manager A.J. Hinch. "And once we hit the postseason, it looks like, as of right now, our guys really, really turned it on."Showing no weaknesses while exposing Cleveland's flaws at every opportunity, the Astros took another step toward defending their crown Monday by finishing off a surprisingly easy three-game AL Division Series sweep with an... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Ask any Houston Astro and they'll say the same thing: Alex Bregman was made for these moments.The young third baseman was great for the defending champions all season and now that the calendar has flipped to October he's taken his play to another level, slugging two home runs to help Houston to a 2-0 lead in the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Indians."He loves the bright lights," praised George Springer, MVP of the World Series last year. "He loves the big stage ... he believes he should get a hit every time or make the big play or score the big run. That's just who he is and when you have a guy like that it makes you want to do the same thing."Game 3 is Monday in Cleveland.The 24-year-old Bregman had the best year of his career this season, leading the AL with a career-high 51 doubles, and setting career marks by hitting .286 with 31 homers and 103 RBIs. His breakout season helped carry the offense in a year where last year's MVP Jose Altuve and star shortstop... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Houston, 2:05 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Houston, 4:37 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at Cleveland, 1:30 p.m.; x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Cleveland, 4:35 p.m.; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 11, at Houston, 4:07 p.m. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Indians: SS Francisco Lindor (.277, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 42 2Bs, 25 SBs), LF Michael Brantley (.309, 17, 76), 2B Jose Ramirez (.272, 39, 106, 34 SBs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.246, 32, 107), 3B Josh Donaldson (.246, 8, 23 with Blue Jays and Indians), 1B Yonder Alonso (.250, 23, 83), RF Melky Cabrera (.280, 6, 39 in 78 games), C Yan Gomes (.266, 16, 48), CF Jason Kipnis (.230, 18, 75).Astros: CF George Springer (.265, 22, 71), 2B Jose Altuve (.315, 13, 61), 3B Alex Bregman (.286, 31, 103, AL-best 51 doubles, 84 walks, 82 Ks), SS Carlos Correa (.239,... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Houston, 2:05 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Houston, 4:37 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at Cleveland, TBA; x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Cleveland, TBA; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 11, at Houston, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Indians: SS Francisco Lindor (.277, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 42 2Bs, 25 SBs), LF Michael Brantley (.309, 17, 76), 2B Jose Ramirez (.272, 39, 106, 34 SBs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.246, 32, 107), 3B Josh Donaldson (.246, 8, 23 with Blue Jays and Indians), 1B Yonder Alonso (.250, 23, 83), RF Melky Cabrera (.280, 6, 39 in 78 games), C Yan Gomes (.266, 16, 48), CF Jason Kipnis (.230, 18, 75).Astros: CF George Springer (.265, 22, 71), 2B Jose Altuve (.315, 13, 61), 3B Alex Bregman (.286, 31, 103, AL-best 51 doubles, 84 walks, 82 Ks), SS Carlos Correa (.239, 15, 65), 1B... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Houston, 2:05 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Houston, 4:37 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at Cleveland, TBA; x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Cleveland, TBA; x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 11, at Houston, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Indians: SS Francisco Lindor (.277, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 42 2Bs, 25 SBs), LF Michael Brantley (.309, 17, 76), 2B Jose Ramirez (.272, 39, 106, 34 SBs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.246, 32, 107), 3B Josh Donaldson (.246, 8, 23 with Blue Jays and Indians), 1B Yonder Alonso (.250, 23, 83), RF Melky Cabrera (.280, 6, 39 in 78 games), C Yan Gomes (.266, 16, 48), CF Jason Kipnis (.230, 18, 75).Astros: CF George Springer (.265, 22, 71), 2B Jose Altuve (.315, 13, 61), 3B Alex Bregman (.286, 31, 103, AL-best 51 doubles, 84 walks, 82 Ks), SS Carlos Correa (.239, 15, 65), 1B... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Now that the regular season is finally in the books, time to bestow baseball's biggest individual prizes. It took one extra day to sort out the playoff bracket, but these debates have been underway for weeks.Christian Yelich seems a cinch for NL MVP, but is it Mookie Betts or Boston teammate J.D. Martinez in the American League?Jacob deGrom or Max Scherzer for the NL Cy Young Award?Shohei Ohtani or Miguel Andujar for AL Rookie of the Year?Martinez has been a monster at the plate in his first season with the Red Sox after signing a $110 million, five-year contract. He launched 43 home runs and led the majors with 130 RBIs. He compiled a 1.031 OPS and hit .330, finishing second to Betts (.346) in the batting race.All big reasons why Boston had the best record in baseball at 108-54.Hitting at the top of the order, Betts had 32 homers, 80 RBIs, 129 runs and a whopping 1.078 OPS.But on defense and the bases, it's no comparison. Martinez started 57 games in the outfield but 93... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Houston Astros moved their celebration from the team hotel to the clubhouse.The Astros marked their second straight AL West title by dousing one another with wine and beer and enjoying cigars after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays."We're getting used to this," infielder Alex Bregman said. "I like it."It was the second celebration of the day for the Astros, who clinched the division just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when Oakland lost at Seattle 10-8 in 11 innings.The Twitter account of the defending World Series champions posted videos of players, coaches and their partners jumping up and down in celebration inside a meeting room at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto."It was pretty unique," ace Justin Verlander said. "There's been some unique scenarios, but not like that one."Back inside the smoky, dripping clubhouse, the Astros enjoyed a party that was, in Verlander's words, "a little more traditional.""I hope we do this three more times," he said.Houston opens the AL Division... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Infielder Carlos Correa returned to Houston's lineup as the designated hitter, ending a six-game absence caused by a sore back.It's the same injury that cost the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year a month earlier this season.Correa, who batted third, struck out swinging in his first at bat Wednesday. He had been out since Sept. 18, when he went 0 for 3 in a victory over Seattle.Correa is batting .238 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 107 games. He is hitting .180 with no homers in September.Infielder Alex Bregman was held out of the starting lineup, one day after the Astros clinched their second straight AL West ttitle. It's Bregman's first day off since June 13 at Oakland.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander had never before been in a conference room to celebrate winning a division title.Verlander and the Astros clinched their second straight AL West championship just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when Seattle beat visiting Oakland 10-8 in 11 innings on pinch-hitter Chris Herrman's home run.The Twitter account of the defending World Series champions posted videos of players, coaches and their partners jumping up and down in celebration inside a meeting room at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto."It was pretty unique," Verlander said. "There's been some unique scenarios, but not like that one."Houston opens the AL Division Series at home on Oct. 5 against Central Division champion Cleveland. Infielder Alex Bregman said he was "super pumped" to repeat as division winners."We haven't had the smoothest of rides, a little adversity along the way, but we've pushed through it and we're playing good baseball at the right time," he said.Left-hander Dallas Keuchel was... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Houston Astros clinched another AL West title and reached 100 wins for the second straight season, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night behind Alex Bregman's two-run homer.Houston improved to 100-57 and was assured of first place hours later when second-place Oakland (95-63) lost at Seattle. The Astros will open the Division Series at home against Cleveland on Oct. 5.The Astros need three wins in their final five games to break the franchise record for victories in a season, set in 1998.Houston is 18-4 in September and 54-22 on the road, both best in the major leagues.Roberto Osuna needed just six pitches in the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances. Earlier Tuesday, assault charges against Osuna were dropped because the complainant, who lives in Mexico, made clear she would not travel to Toronto to testify.Josh James (2-0) allowed one run and four hits in five innings in his third big league start.Bregman went 2 for 5 and extended his club-record streak of... [More]

DENVER (AP) — David Dahl homered for a second straight night, a three-run shot in the third, and the Colorado Rockies vaulted into the final NL wild-card spot by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 10-3 on Tuesday night.The Rockies' fifth straight win moved them a half-game in front of St. Louis for the second wild-card after the Cardinals lost 12-4 to Milwaukee. Colorado trailed the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 1½ games entering the night and still has a chance to win its first division title. The Rockies have five games remaining.The game-changing hit was delivered by Dahl, who lined a fastball from Vince Velasquez (9-12) to left for his 12th homer — nearly to the same spot where Dahl hit a two-run homer the previous night. Dahl also added a run-scoring single as part of a 3-for-5, 4-RBI evening.The Rockies used seven relievers, with DJ Johnson (1-0) getting one out in the third to earn his first big league win.BREWERS 12, CARDINALS 4ST. LOUIS (AP) — Christian Yelich homered and... [More]

DENVER (AP) — David Dahl homered for a second straight night, a three-run shot in the third, and the Colorado Rockies vaulted into the final NL wild-card spot by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 10-3 on Tuesday night.The Rockies' fifth straight win moved them a half-game in front of St. Louis for the second wild-card after the Cardinals lost 12-4 to Milwaukee. Colorado trailed the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 1½ games entering the night and still has a chance to win its first division title. The Rockies have five games remaining.The game-changing hit was delivered by Dahl, who lined a fastball from Vince Velasquez (9-12) to left for his 12th homer — nearly to the same spot where Dahl hit a two-run homer the previous night. Dahl also added a run-scoring single as part of a 3-for-5, 4-RBI evening.The Rockies used seven relievers, with DJ Johnson (1-0) getting one out in the third to earn his first big league win.BREWERS 12, CARDINALS 4ST. LOUIS (AP) — Christian Yelich homered and... [More]