A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:NO BOTHERRed Sox manager Alex Cora is brushing off the notion that Boston might be motivated for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series by a brazen social media post Monday from Astros star Alex Bregman. Houston's third baseman shared a video on Instagram of his club hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi during a game in June captioned "lil pregame video work." Eovaldi was with Tampa Bay at the time and allowed a career-high four homers in a 5-1 loss. Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel as the series shifts to Houston.Astros manager AJ Hinch had no issue with the online barb but implored Bregman to "go out and back it up." Eovaldi didn't seem bothered by the video, saying he doesn't have social media, and Cora dismissed the idea that the post will give the Red Sox any added push."If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself," he said. "Because you win three more games, you go... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Of all the chants that could have emanated from the Dodger Stadium stands during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the NLCS, "We want Austin!" was not exactly the most likely.But after Los Angeles catcher Yasmani Grandal committed his third passed ball of the series Monday night, the voices of exasperated fans pleading for his unsung backup, Austin Barnes, improbably echoed through Chavez Ravine.And when Grandal struck out on three pitches with the bases loaded in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, he only heard boos.The fans' vocal disappointment was mostly a measure of their dissatisfaction with Grandal, who is having a miserable postseason in every aspect. The veteran catcher dropped to 3 for 22 in the playoffs with 10 strikeouts despite a popup that turned into a ground-rule double in Game 3.But the unlikely chant for his backup also reflected the big-budget Dodgers' desperate frustration with their own inability to seize the important... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros are brimming with confidence, even after a Game 2 AL Championship Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox.For proof, just see Bregman's social media feed.Hours after Boston beat Houston 7-5 to even the best-of-seven series at a game each, Bregman shared video Monday on Instagram of the Astros hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs against Game 3 Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi from a game in June."Lil pregame video work," he wrote.Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel in Houston on Tuesday after Rick Porcello was used in relief during Game 2, when the Astros took their first loss of the postseason. Eovaldi's previous start against the Astros didn't go well. The right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs in a 5-1 loss June 20 while with Tampa Bay, including a season-high four homers.Three of those were hit in succession by George Springer, Bregman and Jose Altuve in the sixth inning.The Astros didn't work out Monday, so the brazen 24-year-old... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale will be back with his teammates for Game 3 of the AL Championship Series after an overnight stay in a hospital because of a stomach illness.Boston said it planned to wait until he rejoins the team in Houston on Tuesday before deciding when the lanky lefty will get back on the mound."Everything's fine," manager Alex Cora said before the Red Sox held a brief workout on Monday night. "So we'll see how he feels physically, and then after that we'll decide what we're going to do."Sale was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he had gone because of a stomach illness after he pitched in the series opener at Fenway Park. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation and did not travel with the team to Houston.Cora said Sale will be in Houston before Game 3 of the best-of-seven series."It's great. I think we're all more concerned for his personal well-being and not necessarily the team," right fielder Mookie Betts said. "So to... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale was released from the hospital Monday and will rejoin the team in Houston before Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.Sale was released from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he had gone because of a stomach illness after he pitched in the series opener. He was hospitalized Sunday night for observation.Manager Alex Cora said "everything is fine" and Sale would be back with the team before Game 3 on Tuesday.When asked about Sale's status for the rest of the ALCS, Cora said he wanted to see the pitcher first before making that determination."Everything I heard, he should be fine," Cora said. "We'll see how he feels physically, then after that we'll decide what we're going to do."The 29-year-old Sale struggled with his control in Boston's 7-2 home loss to the Astros in the series opener Saturday night. The left-hander allowed two runs, walked four walks and hit a batter in four innings.Cora said Sale started feeling ill and throwing up right after the game, and went to the hospital early Sunday morning.The illness was announced by the team during Game 2 on Sunday night, which the Red Sox won to even the series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale has been released from the hospital and cleared to rejoin the team in Houston before Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.The Red Sox said Sale was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday. He had spent the night in the hospital for observation because of a stomach illness.Game 3 of the series is Tuesday.The 29-year-old Sale struggled with his control in Boston's 7-2 home loss to the Astros in the series opener Saturday night. The left-hander allowed two runs, walked four walks and hit a batter in four innings.His illness was announced by the team during Game 2 on Sunday night, which the Red Sox won to even the series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Strong wind gusts are raking Dodger Stadium ahead of Game 3 in the National League Championship Series.The first fall Santa Ana winds arrived on Monday. The warm, sustained gusts blow from the desert to the ocean, but rarely affect the stadium on the northern edge of downtown Los Angeles.During batting practice, the flags in center field blew in with the temperature around 80 degrees (26 Celsius).Palm trees in the outfield waved in the wind.Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes describes it as one of the windier days he's experienced at the stadium. Teammate Chris Taylor says the wind is knocking balls to the right a bit, but he expects the wind to die down by game time.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he isn't sure how the wind would affect the flight of the ball during the game, but he expects the ball "to be flying a little bit."The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for most of the mountains around the Los Angeles basin. The downtown area is under a lower-level "wind advisory" that is set to expire before the game begins at 7:39 p.m. EDT.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson has a roster addition to his family following the birth of his first child.Pederson and wife Kelsey welcomed a girl named Poppy on Sunday night. The team says she weighs 7 pounds and 11 ounces.The 26-year-old slugger changed his walkup music ahead of Game 3 of the NL Championship Series on Monday night to "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G. in honor of his daughter. Pederson was batting leadoff for the Dodgers against the Brewers.Pederson posted a photo of his baby yawning and wearing a tag reading "Hello my name is Poppy" on his Instagram account.The couple wed in January.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Outfielder Joc Pederson is leading off for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. He replaces Chris Taylor, who is out of the lineup.Yasmani Grandal is back in the lineup and hitting seventh for Los Angeles against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.Grandal made two errors and had two passed balls in a Game 1 loss. Austin Barnes replaced Grandal behind the plate for Game 2 in Milwaukee.Brewers manager Craig Counsell made a few tweaks, moving second baseman Travis Shaw into the cleanup spot and dropping first baseman Jesus Aguilar one spot down to fifth. Third baseman Mike Moustakas is back to hitting sixth after being in the fifth spot for Game 2.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker has a two-year contract for only the second time in his 43 years with the Braves.It's little wonder that Snitker, who turns 63 on Wednesday, said Monday he never assumed he'd be asked to return as manager even after leading Atlanta to a surprise NL East division title and its first playoff berth since 2013."I've been around long enough to know you're never guaranteed tomorrow in this business," Snitker said after his two-year deal was announced by general manager Alex Anthopoulos. The deal includes a club option for 2021.Snitker began his long run with the Braves as a minor league player in 1977 and spent 20 years as a minor league manager in addition to stints as Atlanta's bullpen coach and third base coach. He said his only previous two-year contract came when Bobby Cox became general manager in 1985.Now, as a leading candidate to be NL manager of the year, he again has more than a one-year contract."It does give you a sense of accomplishment, I guess," Snitker... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves manager Brian Snitker agreed to a two-year contract extension after guiding Atlanta to the NL East title and its first playoff berth since 2013. The deal announced Monday includes a club option for 2021.The extension is sure to be met with approval in a young clubhouse. The players constantly praised Snitker and how he always had their back."He did a remarkable job," star first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "It's really hard to handle 25 to 35 personalities, and he's one of the best at it."Snitker was appointed interim managed in May 2016 after the firing of Freddie Gonzalez. He will be heading into his third full season as the club's manager and 43rd as a member of the organization.After a third straight 90-loss season in 2017, the Braves improved to 90-72 with some of baseball's best young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Mike Foltynewicz. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.A day after the season ended, Snitker said... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a two-year contract extension with manager Brian Snitker, who guided the team to its first playoff berth since 2013.The deal includes a club option for 2021.Snitker was appointed interim managed in May 2016 after the firing of Freddie Gonzalez. He will be heading into his third full season as the club's manager and 43rd as a member of the organization.After a third straight 90-loss season in 2017, the Braves improved to 90-72 this year and won the NL East with some of baseball's best young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Mike Foltynewicz. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.A day after the season ended, Snitker said he felt good about the team's future and looked forward to returning as manager. He turns 63 on Wednesday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich is heading home for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series with the matchup against the Dodgers tied at 1-all. Yelich, the favorite for NL MVP, was born in Thousand Oaks, California, and went to Westlake High School before he was selected by the Marlins in the first round of the 2010 draft. The 26-year-old Yelich is a .326 hitter with six homers and 17 RBIs in 37 career games against the Dodgers, but he went 1 for 8 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the NL West champions.DOING BETTER?The Red Sox will see how ace Chris Sale is feeling after a stomach illness sent him to the hospital. The team said Sale was spending the night at Massachusetts General Hospital for observation after being admitted earlier Sunday.Boston and the Astros have a day off before the AL Division resumes in Houston on Tuesday with the clubs tied at one game each.The 29-year-old... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole struggled at the beginning of his second playoff start with the Houston Astros.By the time he recovered, it was too late. Boston was well on its way to a big win.Cole's electric fastball was lined all over Fenway Park and he also committed a costly error in his first career appearance in the AL Championship Series, losing 7-5 to the Red Sox in Game 2 on Sunday."You know early, I thought he was a little over-amped," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He was pretty excited — a lot of energy, wasn't (executing) a ton of pitches."One night after Justin Verlander pitched Houston to a 7-2 victory in the series opener, Cole was unable to duplicate the success of his fellow hard-throwing right-hander. The 28-year-old Cole allowed a season-high five runs and surrendered six hits — all of them on fastballs — in six innings.Game 3 is Tuesday in Houston.Cole said his main trouble in the first inning was his inability to get his breaking pitches over the plate."I was just not... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich is heading home for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series with the matchup against the Dodgers tied at 1-all. Yelich, the favorite for NL MVP, was born in Thousand Oaks, California, and went to Westlake High School before he was selected by the Marlins in the first round of the 2010 draft. The 26-year-old Yelich is a .326 hitter with six homers and 17 RBIs in 37 career games against the Dodgers, but he went 1 for 8 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the NL West champions.DOING BETTER?The Red Sox will see how ace Chris Sale is feeling after a stomach illness sent him to the hospital. The team said Sale was spending the night at Massachusetts General Hospital for observation after being admitted earlier Sunday.Boston and the Astros have a day off before the AL Division resumes in Houston on Tuesday with the clubs tied at one game each.The 29-year-old... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole struggled at the beginning of his second playoff start with the Houston Astros.By the time he recovered, it was too late. Boston was well on its way to a big win.Cole's electric fastball was lined all over Fenway Park and he also committed a costly error in his first career appearance in the AL Championship Series, losing 7-5 to the Red Sox in Game 2 on Sunday.One night after Justin Verlander pitched Houston to a 7-2 victory in the series opener, Cole was unable to duplicate the success of his fellow hard-throwing right-hander. The 28-year-old Cole allowed a season-high five runs and six hits — all of them on fastballs — in six innings.Game 3 is Tuesday in Houston.Cole went 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA in his first season with Houston after he was acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh, helping the World Series champion Astros return to the playoffs with a second straight AL West title.He was terrific in the AL Division Series against Cleveland, striking out 12 while pitching... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox say ace left-hander Chris Sale has a stomach illness and will spend the night in the hospital.The Red Sox made the announcement Sunday night in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.Boston said Sale reported the illness earlier in the day and was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital. He will be held overnight for observation.The 29-yaer-old Sale struggled with his control in Boston's 7-2 loss to the Astros in the series opener Saturday night. He allowed two runs with four walks and a hit batter in four innings despite giving up just one hit.Sale picked up the win in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees when he pitched into the sixth inning. He also threw a perfect eighth inning in the clincher at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.Sale missed nearly six weeks, making just one start, from late July into September with mild left shoulder inflammation before he worked his way back into the rotation with four starts in September.

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox say ace left-hander Chis Sale has a stomach illness and will spend the night in the hospital.The Red Sox made the announcement Sunday night in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.Boston said Sale reported the illness earlier in the day and was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital. He will be held overnight for observation.The 29-yaer-old Sale struggled with his control in Boston's 7-2 loss to the Astros in the series opener Saturday night. He allowed two runs with four walks and a hit batter in four innings despite giving up just one hit.Sale picked up the win in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees when he pitched into the sixth inning. He also threw a perfect eighth inning in the clincher at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.Sale missed nearly six weeks, making just one start, from late July into September with mild left shoulder inflammation before he worked his way back into the rotation with four starts in September.

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has shuffled his lineup for Game 2 against the Houston Astros, putting infielders Ian Kinsler and Rafael Devers and catcher Christian Vazquez in the starting lineup for the first time in the AL Championship Series.Devers was batting sixth and playing third base in place of Eduardo Nunez, who had a fielding error and let a two-run single go by him in Boston's 7-2 loss Saturday night in Game 1. Kinsler was batting seventh in place of Brock Holt, who hit for the first postseason cycle in baseball history in the clincher against the New York Yankees.Vazquez will start in place of Sandy Leon.The Astros did not have any lineup changes, but manager A.J. Hinch said he plans to start Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton in Games 3 and 4.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]