A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:STARTING OFFClayton Kershaw starts for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against Brewers left-hander Gio Gonzalez and — more notably — Milwaukee's deep bullpen. Josh Hader and the rest of the club's lights-out relievers have helped the Brewers win 11 straight games. The bullpen's 3.47 ERA was second in the NL only to the Chicago Cubs, and it began to peak down the stretch. The relievers went 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in the three-game Division Series sweep against Colorado. Gonzalez probably won't need to go more than four or five innings before Hader and crew take over.Los Angeles' pitching approach will be more traditional. The Dodgers have gotten a higher percentage of outs from their starters this postseason than any other team, led by Kershaw's eight innings of two-hit ball in a 3-0 Game 2 win over Atlanta. Kershaw has thrown 12 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason dating to last year's World Series.The ALCS... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gio Gonzalez will start for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced his rotation on Thursday. Gonzalez was 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in five starts for the Brewers after being acquired in a deal with the Washington Nationals.The Brewers have chosen Wade Miley to start in Game 2 on Saturday, meaning that Milwaukee will open the NLCS with two straight lefties.The Dodgers will line up the same way. They had already picked ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw as their starter for the opener.Manager Dave Roberts on Thursday night said lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will be his Game 2 starter.Brewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will go in Game 3 on Monday in Los Angeles against Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler.Roberts said he will turn to left-hander Rich Hill to start Game 4.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

Chris Sale is all set to start Game 1 at Fenway Park. If the Boston Red Sox later need him for middle relief, he's ready. Or a setup spot, sure."I mean, it's postseason baseball. You have to be prepared for anything," the All-Star lefty said.Especially when it comes to pitching, particularly after seeing the likes of Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and other All-Star aces working in unusual roles during recent Octobers.Because as managers' moves this month have proven — some worked, some didn't — the winning strategy might be getting the best guy on the mound at the key moment, no matter when that comes."That's what it is. You're using your team's talents the best way you can to win games," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said Thursday, a day before the Brewers host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.Sale and the Red Sox take on the Houston Astros in the ALCS beginning Saturday night.Relievers have accounted for 48.8 percent of innings in the playoffs... [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]

DETROIT (AP) — Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and outfielder Christin Stewart had core muscle repair surgery Thursday but are expected to be ready for spring training.The Tigers said the operations took place in Philadelphia and were performed by Dr. William Meyers.Zimmermann went 7-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 25 starts this season.Stewart, one of Detroit's top prospects, made his major league debut this year. He played 17 games for the Tigers, hitting .267 with two home runs.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gio Gonzalez will start for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.The Brewers have chosen Wade Miley to start in Game 2 on Saturday, meaning that Milwaukee will open up the NLCS with two straight lefties. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will go in Game 3 on Monday in Los Angeles.Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced his rotation on Thursday.Gonzalez was 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in five starts for the Brewers after being acquired in a deal with the Washington Nationals.The Dodgers have already picked ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw as their starter for the opener, but have yet to announce the rest of their rotation.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gio Gonzalez will start for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.The Brewers have chosen Wade Miley to start in Game 2 on Saturday, meaning that Milwaukee will open up the NLCS with two straight lefties. Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will go in Game 3 on Monday in Los Angeles.Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced his rotation on Thursday.Gonzalez was 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in five starts for the Brewers after being acquired in a deal with the Washington Nationals.The Dodgers have already picked ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw as their starter for the opener, but have yet to announce the rest of their rotation.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright is staying with the St. Louis Cardinals.The Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal with the veteran right-hander Thursday, bringing Wainwright back to the only major league team he's pitched for. The 37-year-old Wainwright has been with St. Louis since making his big league debut in 2005."Adam represents everything we think of when asked to describe a winning player, and a winning teammate," Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. "His value to our team stretches far beyond the box score, and he showed by season's end that he is still ready and able to compete."Wainwright made just eight starts this season because of hamstring and elbow problems, going 2-4 with a 4.46 ERA, but he pitched four times in September as the Cardinals made an unsuccessful bid for a postseason spot. After his final start Sept. 28, he sounded like someone who wanted to try to keep pitching."If you had asked me that question about two months ago, I would have already... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year deal with Adam Wainwright, bringing the veteran right-hander back to the only major league team he has ever pitched for.The Cardinals announced the deal Thursday. The 37-year-old Wainwright has been with St. Louis since making his big league debut in 2005.Wainwright is fifth on the team's career list with 148 wins and second with 1,623 strikeouts. He made just eight starts this season because of hamstring and elbow problems, going 2-4 with a 4.46 ERA.A three-time All-Star, Wainwright was a closer for the Cardinals when they won the World Series in 2006. St. Louis also won a title in 2011, but Wainwright did not pitch that year.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Cora led Boston to a victory over the hated Yankees. Next up for the first-year Red Sox manager: The team he left after winning a World Series as a bench coach last season."I've been talking about them the whole season, so now we go," he said after the Red Sox beat New York 4-3 in Game 4 of the AL Division Series to earn the right to play the Houston Astros for the pennant. "Best of seven. They know me. I know them. It should be fun."An infielder who spent 14 years with six big league teams, Cora was in Houston for one year before the Red Sox made him the first minority manager in franchise history — and one of its youngest, too. His first season is already a success, with a franchise-record 108 victories, a third consecutive AL East title and the team's first playoff series win since 2013.Now he has to do it again — against his former boss, A.J. Hinch, whose Astros swept Cleveland in the ALDS. Games 1 and 2 are Saturday and Sunday before the series moves to Houston for... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:BACK AT ITAstros shortstop Carlos Correa is trying to get his aching back as healed as possible before Houston's AL Championship Series opener Saturday. Correa told The Associated Press on Wednesday that although he's tried to put on a brave face, his back is hurting him on every swing and miss, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable to walk. Correa returned from a six-week stint on the DL on Aug. 10 and declared he was better, but he hit just .180 in the second half of the season and had just one hit — a homer — while Houston swept Cleveland in their three-game AL Division Series."Not only to find my swing, just to feel comfortable at the plate when I swing," he said. "Because I know every time I swing and miss it's going to hurt. So, I try not to swing and miss and then I try to baby my swing and I don't swing as hard as I usually do or as quick as I usually do. So, it's definitely been tough."STURDY DEFENSEIndians manager... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:BACK AT ITAstros shortstop Carlos Correa is trying to get his aching back as healed as possible before Houston's AL Championship Series opener Saturday. Correa told The Associated Press on Wednesday that although he's tried to put on a brave face, his back is hurting him on every swing and miss, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable to walk. Correa returned from a six-week stint on the DL on Aug. 10 and declared he was better, but he hit just .180 in the second half of the season and had just one hit — a homer — while Houston swept Cleveland in their three-game AL Division Series."Not only to find my swing, just to feel comfortable at the plate when I swing," he said. "Because I know every time I swing and miss it's going to hurt. So, I try not to swing and miss and then I try to baby my swing and I don't swing as hard as I usually do or as quick as I usually do. So, it's definitely been tough."STURDY DEFENSEIndians manager... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With all the high-priced talent on the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster, Max Muncy had to find a way to stand out. He has done it with his bat, coming from the minors to lead the team in home runs.He slugged 35 homers in the regular season, propelled by a first-half tear that landed him in the Home Run Derby.Muncy's three-run drive powered the Dodgers to a win in the opener of their National League Division Series against Atlanta, and they eventually eliminated the Braves in four games."The whole experience has been incredible," Muncy said.Next up is the NLCS against Milwaukee starting Friday, putting Muncy in a best-of-seven series for the first time in his career.Don't expect him to be rattled, either."Starting with game 163 I was kind of nervous, but you look at how everyone else in the clubhouse is walking around handling themselves," Muncy said Wednesday. "There's so much experience there. There's no panic, there's no worry. They're all calm as can be. That kind of resonates... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It sounds, at first, like a long, drawn out "Booooo!"But look at the name on the scoreboard and it becomes apparent what fans at Miller Park are really chanting."Mooooose!"Mike Moustakas has been a hit with fans and teammates with the Milwaukee Brewers since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals two-plus months ago. They appreciate his solid third base defense, and his left-handed power stroke was key in getting Milwaukee through the NL Division Series. In the clubhouse, his focused demeanor and extensive postseason experience have made him a source of steadiness for a club playing in the postseason for the first time since 2011."Amazing, amazing. He's a great teammate," said utility man Hernan Perez, who has a locker near Moustakas. "He's been in this situation."Moustakas and current Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain helped Kansas City reach the World Series twice, including their championship run in 2015. Moustakas is one step away from a Series return with Milwaukee.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa is in pain.Every swing and miss hurts, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable for the Houston Astros star shortstop to walk.Correa often puts on a brave face but told The Associated Press how much this is affecting him as the Astros prepare to leave for Boston and the best-of-seven AL Championship Series that begins on Saturday."You're a competitor so every time you step on the field you play it off like everything is fine," he said Wednesday. "But obviously you're hurting."Correa returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list on Aug. 10 and declared that he was better. But he has struggled to regain his top form. He hit just .180 in the second half of the season and managed a single hit — a home run — in an ALDS, looking nothing like the player who made the All-Star team last season and was the 2015 rookie of the year.He said it bothers him most at the plate, and it's been impossible to get back to how he felt before the injury."Not only to find... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees are in danger of going an entire decade without reaching a World Series for the first time since the 1910s.Aaron Boone's rookie season as a manager ended in failure when New York fizzled in the AL Division Series against Boston and was eliminated in four games."You're always chasing utopia," Boone said after the Yankees' final rally of the season fell short Tuesday night.A year after losing in the AL Championship Series was perceived as success, elimination by Boston left a feeling of failure for the title-worshipping Yankees.New York went 100-62 for its best record since its last World Series championship in 2009, yet finished eight games back of the Red Sox. The Yankees have gone six straight seasons without a first-place finish.They're set to retool around the young core of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar and Luis Severino, plus in-prime regulars Giancarlo Stanton, Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks. The Yankees got the power but were... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox manager Alex Cora is sticking with David Price, saying Wednesday the left-hander will start Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against Houston despite an unprecedented history of playoff struggles.Speaking on MLB Network radio a day after the Red Sox eliminated the Yankees from the AL Division Series, Cora said he plans to use Chris Sale in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series that begins at Fenway Park on Saturday night. The first-year manager said Price, the loser in the Red Sox only defeat in the ALDS, is still in line to start Game 2."We trust him," Cora said last week after Price allowed three runs and got just five outs in a 6-2 loss in Game 2. "He bounced back before. We'll talk to him and make a few adjustments and we'll go from there."Nathan Eovaldi and 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello are expected to start Games 3 and 4, after picking up wins in the same roles against the Yankees. The current Red Sox staff entered the series with a 0-19 postseason... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa says he is in pain: Every swing and miss hurts his aching back, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable to walk.Correa often puts on a brave face but he tells The Associated Press he is hurting as the Astros prepare to leave for Boston and the best-of-seven AL Championship Series that begins on Saturday.Correa returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list on Aug. 10 and declared that he was better. But he has struggled to regain his top form. He hit just .180 in the second half of the season and managed a single hit in an ALDS, looking nothing like the player who made the All-Star team last season and was the 2015 rookie of the year.He says it's been difficult to feel comfortable at the plate and he is not swinging as hard or as quick as he wants to.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports