TOKYO (AP) — All-Star catcher Yadier Molina hopes to throw out some speedy runners. Don Mattingly looks forward to seeing Japan's national team.Mattingly and Molina are in Japan as part of a Major League Baseball All-Star tour that features six games against Japan.The series begins on Friday with three games on consecutive nights at Tokyo Dome followed by one game in Hiroshima on Nov. 13 and two games in Nagoya on Nov. 14 and 15.Mattingly was a coach with the New York Yankees when Hideki Matsui played there, and got to know Ichiro Suzuki with the Miami Marlins.But this will be his first experience managing against a Japanese team."I've been able to work with Hideki in New York and had Ichiro in Miami," Mattingly said Wednesday. "The culture and the love for baseball is something that is fun to watch, the work ethic of the Japanese players and the fundamentals seem so solid."In addition to St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Molina, the MLB squad includes three other 2018 All-Stars; Seattle Mariners... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year award along with two New York Yankees infielders.The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the finalists for its major awards Monday night. The winners will be announced next week.Ohtani figures to be in a tight race with Yankees infielders Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres after a historic first season with the Los Angeles Angels. The two-way Japanese sensation was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA as a starting pitcher before an elbow injury forced him off the mound. He finished out the season exclusively as a designated hitter, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.Ohtani is the first player ever to hit 15 home runs and strike out 50 batters in a season, and he joined Babe Ruth as the only players ever to hit 15 homers and pitch 50 innings. He had Tommy John surgery after the season and is not expected to pitch in 2019.Andujar hit 47 doubles, tied for the second-most by a rookie in major league history, while... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year award along with two New York Yankees infielders.The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the finalists for its major awards Monday night. The winners will be announced next week.Ohtani figures to be in a tight race with Yankees infielders Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres after a historic first season with the Los Angeles Angels. The two-way Japanese sensation was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA as a starting pitcher before an elbow injury forced him off the mound. He finished out the season exclusively as a designated hitter, hitting .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.Ohtani is the first player ever to hit 15 home runs and strike out 50 batters in a season, and he joined Babe Ruth as the only players ever to hit 15 homers and pitch 50 innings. He had Tommy John surgery after the season and is not expected to pitch in 2019.Andujar hit 47 doubles, tied for the second-most by a rookie in major league history, while... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have seen the future and it's ace-in-the-making Walker Buehler.Except they need him to deliver now.Buehler will try to yank Los Angeles out of a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Red Sox when the World Series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Friday.Clearly, the Dodgers trust their 24-year-old rookie.He led them to a victory over Colorado in Game 163 that clinched Los Angeles' sixth straight NL West title.The right-hander also pitched well in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against Milwaukee.Now, the pressure is on the calm and confident kid from Kentucky horse country to keep them out of a potential 3-0 hole."It's a little bit different than a Game 7 tomorrow," Buehler said Thursday, "but at the same time there's a little bit of backs-against-the-wall-type of scenario."Since starting the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler has impressed as the heir apparent to three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who could opt out of the final... [More]

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

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker endured a restless night after the final game of the season.He was poring over what went wrong for the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.He might've been thinking about his own future, as well."I laid awake all night staring at the ceiling," the Braves manager said. "I couldn't sleep."After assembling some of baseball's finest young talent and making a surprising return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Atlanta went down quietly in the postseason. The Baby Braves were shut out twice in Los Angeles before the high-powered Dodgers finished off the best-of-five series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday.The brief playoff appearance exposed a team that still has some glaring weaknesses . The pitching lacks a dominant starter, the lineup needs more power, and the bench wasn't much help at all.When Snitker looked over at the Dodgers, a star-filled team that earned its third straight trip to the NL Championship Series, he saw what the Braves must strive... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old said Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw for Boston... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old told ESPN on Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotka, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.The Braves scored a combined two runs in their three losses."We didn't hit," Freddie Freeman said. "Bottom line. Too many opportunities left out there."Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotkia, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The Baby Braves enjoyed their postseason moment in the spotlight Sunday night, when 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player to hit... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Muncy is starting at first base and Joc Pederson is in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Monday's Game 4 of the NL Division Series.Each sat in Game 3 when manager Dave Roberts started David Freese at first and Chris Taylor in left against left-hander Sean Newcomb on Sunday night.Yasiel Puig is in right field and Matt Kemp returns to the bench for the Dodgers, who lead the best-of-five series 2-1.Left-hander Rich Hill is on the mound for Los Angeles.Roberts said Clayton Kershaw would start on Wednesday in Los Angeles if a Game 5 is necessary. He said the decision was simple even though he chose Hyun-Jin Ryu over Kershaw to start Game 1."I think that we had our reasons why we decided on Game 1 versus Game 2," Roberts said. "But if there's a potential Game 5, we feel very confident that Clayton should be the guy taking the baseball."Braves manager Brian Snitker said he might use Sean Newcomb and Kevin Gausman,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Max Muncy is starting at first base and Joc Pederson is in left field for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Game 4 of the NL Division Series.Each sat in Game 3 when manager Dave Roberts started David Freese at first and Chris Taylor in left against left-hander Sean Newcomb on Sunday night.Yasiel Puig is in right field and Matt Kemp returns to the bench for the Dodgers, who lead the best-of-five series 2-1.Left-hander Rich Hill is on the mound for Los Angeles.Braves manager Brian Snitker moved second baseman Ozzie Albies to the No. 2 spot in the batting order — the team's third option behind leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr. in the last three games. Third baseman Johan Camargo hit second in the first two games, followed by Ender Inciarte in Game 3. .Camargo is hitting fifth and Inciarte is seventh in Monday's lineup.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has become the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the postseason.The 20-year-old Acuna made history with his second-inning homer off Walker Buehler in the NL Division Series on Sunday night.The previous youngest hitter with a postseason grand slam was Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, who was 21 when he accomplished the feat against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1953 World Series.Buehler issued a bases-loaded walk to Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb to force in a run. Acuna took three balls and a questionable called strike before pulling a 98-mph fastball from Buehler into the seats in left-center.The homer gave the Braves, who trail 2-0 in the series, a 5-0 lead. The five second-inning runs were the first of the series for Atlanta.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers put left fielder Chris Taylor in the leadoff position and sat Yasiel Puig as manager Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup to face Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night.The right-handed hitting Taylor is taking the spot of the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson in the lineup.Another right-handed hitter, David Freese, is playing first base instead of Max Muncy and hitting third. Also, Matt Kemp is taking the place of Puig in right field and hitting fifth.Kemp, who played for the Braves in 2016-17, hit 11 homers in 183 at-bats against left-handers. He hit 10 homers in 279 at-bats against right-handers. Freese hit .321 against left-handers and .273 against right-handers."To get Kemp, Freese, Taylor back involved against a starter like Newcomb, I think it gives us the best chance to win," Roberts said.Braves manager Brian Snitker said the lineup moves reflect the depth of the Dodgers' bench."It... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers put left fielder Chris Taylor in the leadoff position as manager Dave Roberts adjusted his lineup to face Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.The right-handed hitting Taylor is taking the spot of the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson in Sunday night's lineup.Another right-handed hitter, David Freese, is playing first base instead of Max Muncy and hitting third. Also, Matt Kemp is taking the place of Yasiel Puig in right field and hitting fifth.The Braves are staying with rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. as their leadoff hitter but manager Brian Snitker is moving Ender Inciarte into the No. 2 spot. Third baseman Johan Camargo, who hit second in Game 2, is hitting fifth.Otherwise, the Braves' lineup remains unchanged.The Dodgers lead the best-of-five series 2-0. The Braves must win to force a Game 4 on Monday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers head to Atlanta full of confidence after consecutive shutouts gave them a commanding 2-0 lead over the Braves in their National League Division Series.Now the Braves must win the first postseason game in their new ballpark to extend their season. And they face some daunting history: only three times have teams that trailed 2-0 rallied to win a best-of-five playoff series under the 2-2-1 format.Atlanta was outscored 9-0 and outhit 10-9 in losing the first two games at Dodger Stadium, where Los Angeles slugged five homers.Game 3 is Sunday night at SunTrust Park, with left-hander Sean Newcomb chosen to start for the Braves instead of Kevin Gausman. Manager Brian Snitker announced the change Saturday.The 25-year-old Newcomb came within one strike of throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers at home July 29. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief of starter Mike Foltynewicz in Thursday's opener."We need to win," Snitker said. "Not that Gausman doesn't give us... [More]