NEW YORK (AP) — Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland was out of the lineup for Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.Moreland, a left-handed hitter with a good glove, was removed from Game 2 after he hurt his right hamstring running the bases. Right-handed hitter Steve Pearce was set to start at first base Monday night at Yankee Stadium against righty Luis Severino."Mitch is available, but he's not 100 percent," manager Alex Cora said.Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks remained out of the lineup after missing Game 2 with tightness in his right hamstring that forced him from the opener Friday night at Fenway Park. New York manager Aaron Boone said Hicks was doing "considerably better," and sitting him was a much more difficult decision than it was Saturday.Brett Gardner was back in center for the Yankees, batting ninth, and first baseman Luke Voit was slotted third in the order again. Boone said he wouldn't hesitate to use Hicks in any role off the bench.Hicks... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland is out of the lineup for Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.Moreland, a left-handed hitter with a good glove, was removed from Game 2 after he hurt his right hamstring running the bases. Right-handed hitter Steve Pearce is set to start at first base Monday night at Yankee Stadium against New York righty Luis Severino.Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks remained out of the lineup after missing Game 2 with tightness in his right hamstring that forced him from the series opener Friday night at Fenway Park. New York manager Aaron Boone said Hicks was doing better and sitting him was a much more difficult decision than it was in Game 2.Brett Gardner was back in center for the Yankees, batting ninth, and first baseman Luke Voit was bumped up to the No. 3 spot in the order. Boone said he wouldn't hesitate to use Hicks in any role off the bench.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The immediate picture for the Colorado Rockies looks grim: a slumping offense that couldn't support solid pitching led to a quick end of Rocktober .The larger view, now that's one third baseman Nolan Arenado prefers to take with him into the offseason.Although the season ended with a three-game sweep by Milwaukee in the NL Division Series, the Rockies took a step forward in 2018. A year ago, they were eliminated in the NL wild-card game. This season, they beat Chicago in the wild-card contest to make it to the division series, only to run into the Brewers and their dominant arms.Colorado (91-72) won the second-most games in franchise history and came one victory short of its first NL West title. The bats simply went silent at the wrong time."It's on the offense," said Arenado, whose team hit a franchise-worst .256 in the regular season. "We couldn't get anything going. But it was a solid year. We played really well."On a gloomy Sunday at Coors Field, the Rockies were eliminated... [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]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Minnesota Twins player Miguel Sano will not face criminal charges in the Dominican Republic as a result of his involvement in a traffic incident that injured a police officer, authorities said Monday.Police said in a statement that the third baseman was released from custody after striking the officer with his car, leaving him with a broken leg outside a nightclub in San Pedro de Macoris early Sunday. They said officer Argenis Emilio Gillandeux was working outside the club Riversay when he was hit. Authorities said Sano was not carrying any identification and that his car was not registered.Police spokesman Frank Duran told The Associated Press that Gillandeux said that "it was an involuntary accident, not intentional," and he would not press charges.Duran said that Sano would need to appear in traffic court, which would impose a fine and indemnity for the officer.Earlier, a Twins spokesman said the ballclub was aware of the situation involving Sano and was gathering facts.The 25-year-old Sano is a native of the Dominican Republic, where he lives when he is not playing.Sano is coming off a shortened season after injuring his surgically repaired left leg. He batted .199 in 71 games with 13 home runs, 53 hits and 115 strikeouts for the Twins.

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

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona found a simple way to sum up his team's tenuous state this October.And he channeled Yogi Berra to do it."As long as we're still breathing, we're still breathing," Francona said before Monday's critical Game 3 against the Houston Astros. "We just don't have a lot of margin for error."With his club down 2-0 and batting only .100 (6 for 60) so far in the series and facing left-hander Dallas Keuchel in Game 3, Francona juggled his lineup by starting right-handed hitters Yandy Diaz at designated hitter and Brandon Guyer in right field. Also, Edwin Encarnacion was switched from DH and play first base, replacing left-handed Yonder Alonso.The Indians were dominated in Games 1 and 2 by Astros fireballers Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Cleveland has had some success against Keuchel, beating him on May 19 in Houston. The Indians scored three runs in the first inning and chased Keuchel after in five innings.In his second matchup against Cleveland on... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona juggled his struggling lineup for Game 3 of the AL Division Series against Houston.With his club batting .100 (6 for 60) in the series and facing left-hander Dallas Keuchel, the Indians are starting right-handed hitters Yandy Diaz at designated hitter and Brandon Guyer in right field. Also, Edwin Encarnacion will switch from DH and play first base, replacing left-handed Yonder Alonso.The Indians were dominated in Games 1 and 2 by Astros fireballers Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Cleveland has had some success against Keuchel, beating him on May 19 in Houston. The Indians scored three runs in the first inning and chased Keuchel after in five innings.In his second matchup against Cleveland on May 25, he allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings.Astros manager A.J. Hinch made two switches, starting Brian McCann behind the plate and using Tony Kemp as his DH instead of Tyler White, who served that role in the first two games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Minnesota Twins player Miguel Sano was under investigation Monday in the Dominican Republic after the third baseman was involved in a traffic incident that injured a police officer.Police said in a statement that Sano was released from custody after striking the officer with his car, leaving him with a broken leg outside a nightclub in San Pedro de Macoris early Sunday. They said officer Argenis Emilio Gillandeux was working outside the club Riversay when he was hit. Authorities said Sano was not carrying any identification and that his car was not registered.A Twins spokesman said the ballclub is aware of the situation involving Sano and is still gathering facts.The 25-year-old Sano is a native of the Dominican Republic, where he lives when he is not playing.Sano is coming off a shortened season after injuring his surgically repaired left leg. He batted .199 in 71 games with 13 home runs, 53 hits and 115 strikeouts for the Twins.

Of course Erik Kratz kept hoping for a moment like this. That's why he stuck around, through a dozen big league organizations, a couple of cruel demotions in the minors, a bunch of near-misses in October.And the time he accidentally shot himself in the hand with a nail gun."I really feel like I've played my last game for the last 12 years because the game doesn't owe anybody anything," the Milwaukee catcher said. "When you understand that, you appreciate these times more than anything else."Luke Voit certainly never expected to hear crowds at Yankee Stadium chanting his name in October, especially when he was stuck at Triple-A for St. Louis in late July.Ryan Brasier's path to these playoffs was unusual, too. The Red Sox reliever is a rookie — even though he made his major league debut in 2013.This postseason is full of stars, including Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve and Mookie Betts. Ronald Acuna Jr., Miguel Andujar and Walker Buehler are among the many talented newcomers.To see them here,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:REVVED-UP RIVALSLuis Severino starts for the Yankees when they host Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. They're 1-all going into the first playoff game between the teams in the Bronx since the Red Sox finished off a comeback from an 0-3 deficit in the 2004 ALCS at the old Yankee Stadium.Severino was 10-2 with a 2.74 ERA and .217 opponents' batting average at home, and is coming off four sharp innings against Oakland in the AL wild-card game. Ex-Yankee Nathan Eovaldi starts for Boston — he allowed no earned runs in three of four starts this year vs. New York.ROCK ITThe Astros try to complete an ALDS sweep over Cleveland when Dallas Keuchel starts Game 3 at Progressive Field. The defending World Series champions used dominant pitching by starters Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole to open a 2-0 lead. Indians manager Terry Francona will tweak his lineup against the left-handed Keuchel, adding righty hitters Yandy Diaz and Brandon Guyer.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:REVVED-UP RIVALSLuis Severino starts for the Yankees when they host Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. They're 1-all going into the first playoff game between the teams in the Bronx since the Red Sox finished off a comeback from an 0-3 deficit in the 2004 ALCS at the old Yankee Stadium.Severino was 10-2 with a 2.74 ERA and .217 opponents' batting average at home, and is coming off four sharp innings against Oakland in the AL wild-card game. Ex-Yankee Nathan Eovaldi starts for Boston — he allowed no earned runs in three of four starts this year vs. New York.ROCK ITThe Astros try to complete an ALDS sweep over Cleveland when Dallas Keuchel starts Game 3 at Progressive Field. The defending World Series champions used dominant pitching by starters Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole to open a 2-0 lead. Indians manager Terry Francona will tweak his lineup against the left-handed Keuchel, adding righty hitters Yandy Diaz and Brandon Guyer.... [More]

DENVER (AP) — For once, the Colorado Rockies head into the offseason searching for more pop at the plate to go with excellent pitching, not the other way around.The Rockies lacked patience at the plate in getting swept by Milwaukee in the best-of-five NL Division Series with a 6-0 loss Sunday, their second straight shutout.They were outscored 13-2 as they hit .146 with three extra-base hits and no homers . They didn't score in their last 19 innings and set an NL Division Series low for runs,So much for a return to the thin air of Coors Field to spark a dormant offense."I don't know what it is," third baseman Nolan Arenado said. "It's just a bad stretch at the wrong time."Rockies fans have a long winter to lament that and manager Bud Black's decision to start German Marquez in Game 3 rather than hometown hero Kyle Freeland, who was 17-7 and pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2-1 wild-card win at Wrigley Field last Tuesday."Everyone wants to be the guy that takes the ball or has a big... [More]

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.

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's wait for a World Series title will extend past a quarter century.The Rockies scored in one of 28 innings against Milwaukee, hit .146 with three extra-base hits, no homers and two runs — none in their last 19 innings.So much for a return to the thin air of Coors Field to spark a dormant offense.Colorado was swept in the best-of-five NL Division Series when Milwaukee won 6-0 Sunday. The Rockies, an expansion team that started play in 1993, are 2-11 in the postseason since reaching their only World Series 11 years ago.Rockies fans have a long winter to lament manager Bud Black's decision to start German Marquez in Game 3 rather than hometown hero Kyle Freeland, who was 17-7 and pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2-1 wild-card win at Wrigley Field last Tuesday.After losing the NL West tiebreaker 5-2 in Los Angeles to the Dodgers and flying to Chicago for the win over the Cubs, the Rockies seemed flat as they lost 3-2 in 10 innings at Miller Park and then 4-0."It... [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]

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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston will start former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi rather than Rick Porcello against New York in Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Monday.Red Sox manager Alex Cora says he made the decision because Porcello pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief in Friday's opener and he wanted to give him an extra day of rest. Porcello is scheduled to pitch Game 4 on Tuesday.Eovaldi was 3-3 with a 3.33 in 11 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox, who acquired him from Tampa Bay in July. The 28-year-old right-hander, who throws at 97-98 mph, allowed no earned runs in three of four starts this year against the Yankees. He pitched for the Yankees in 2015 and '16 before injuring his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery for the second time.New York starts Luis Severino in Game 3, followed by CC Sabathia. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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

DENVER (AP) — Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday returned to the starting lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series against Milwaukee.Colorado tries to avoid elimination Sunday at Coors Field after dropping two straight in Milwaukee.Holliday started for the first time in the series with left-hander Wade Miley throwing for Milwaukee. Holliday has a hit and a strikeout as a pinch-hitter in the NLDS.The 38-year-old Holliday was signed to a minor league deal July 29 and called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 23.In an effort to ignite a slumping offense, the Rockies bumped All-Star shortstop Trevor Story to the cleanup spot.The Brewers started 38-year-old catcher Erik Kratz for a second straight game. He had two RBIs on Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports