A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ BACK IN? Clayton Kershaw could pitch Game 4 of the NL Championship Series for the Dodgers if the left-hander’s back continues to improve. Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start because of back spasms, and manager Dave Roberts decided to stick with left-hander Julio Urías for Game 3 against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Los Angeles stormed to a 15-3 victory that cut its series deficit to 2-1. “Every day it’s been better,” Roberts said of Kershaw’s back. “I can’t just sit here right now and say he’s going to start tomorrow. I think if it progresses the way it has, it’s a likely possibility. But again, this is making sure Clayton feels good tomorrow when he wakes up and the training staff gives us our blessing as well.” The Braves will start rookie right-hander Bryse Wilson, who has just seven professional starts and none in the postseason. He hasn’t pitched since the regular-season finale Sept. 27. WHO'S UP? With their season... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Although Randy Arozarena is having an undeniably incredible postseason, he can’t always carry the Tampa Bay Rays’ offense all by himself In fact, it's a bit wild that the Rays have reached the brink of the World Series with an unheralded rookie doing so much of their offensive work. When nobody stepped up to help Tampa Bay's surprising slugger until the ninth inning of Game 4 of the AL Championship Series on Wednesday night, the Rays were forced to extend their stay in San Diego by at least a day. Arozarena hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning for his fifth homer of the postseason, but the Rays didn't score again until Willy Adames' two-out double in the ninth. Adames was stranded on third when Yoshi Tsutsugo's liner was caught in right field to end Tampa Bay's 4-3 loss. The foundation of Tampa Bay's success this fall is not offense: After batting .238 in the regular season to rank 21st in the majors, the Rays entered Game 4 of the ALCS hitting a meager .209 in the postseason... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Baby Braves were the Battered Braves in their first loss of these playoffs. Now the young pitchers who had been so poised and effective in the postseason will have to try to get Atlanta back on track. Rookie starter Kyle Wright and the Braves gave up a postseason-record 11 runs in the first inning of a 15-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series on Wednesday night. The 15 runs allowed in the first three innings were more than the Braves permitted in their first seven postseason games combined. And those 13 previous runs included seven scored by Los Angeles in the final three innings of Atlanta's 8-7 win in Game 2. The Braves will have to remind themselves they still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 on Thursday night in the first NLCS with no days off since 1978, and the first ever at a neutral site, the home of the Texas Rangers. Wright gave up seven runs while getting just two outs after Atlanta starters allowed only five runs... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday: ___ BACK IN? Clayton Kershaw could start Game 4 of the NL Championship Series for the Dodgers if the left-hander’s back continues to improve. Kershaw was scratched from his Game 2 start because of back spasms, and manager Dave Roberts decided to stick with left-hander Julio Urías for Game 3 against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Los Angeles stormed to a 15-3 victory over Atlanta that cut its series deficit to 2-1. “Every day it’s been better,” Roberts said of Kershaw’s back. “I can’t just sit here right now and say he’s going to start tomorrow. I think if it progresses the way it has, it’s a likely possibility. But again, this is making sure Clayton feels good tomorrow when he wakes up and the training staff gives us our blessing as well.” The Braves will start rookie right-hander Bryse Wilson, who has just seven professional starts and none in the postseason. He hasn’t pitched since the regular season finale Sept. 27. TALKIN’ WITH TONY... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Muncy hit a grand slam to cap an 11-run first inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series, the highest-scoring inning ever in an MLB postseason game. The 11 runs came against the Atlanta Braves, who were also on the wrong side of matching the previous mark. They allowed 10 runs in the first inning in the deciding Game 5 of the NL Division Series against St. Louis last season. The slam by Muncy off reliever Grant Dayton was the third homer in the inning, matching another LCS record. After Mookie Betts led off the game with an infield single on the first pitch, Corey Seager drove him home with a double on the next pitch. Joc Pederson and Edwin Rios later homered on consecutive pitches against Kyle Wright, who then walked the No. 9 batter before Dayton took over. Betts walked before Seager had an RBI single, Justin Turner was hit by a pitch and Muncy went deep. Will Smith, the 14th batter in the inning, struck out to end it. The Dodgers led 11-0 entering the second inning after center fielder Cody Bellinger robbed the Braves' Ozzie Albies with a leaping catch at the wall that stranded two runners in the bottom of the first. Bellinger then led off the second with a homer. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Not much is wrong with the New York Yankees in the view of manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman. While stung by a five-game loss to Tampa Bay in the AL Division Series, the Yankees leadership does not appear to anticipate large-scale changes for 2021. Catcher Gary Sánchez’s job could be in danger after a third straight down season, but Gleyber Torres’ hold on shortstop is solid despite shaky defense. Starting pitching will be a focus for improvement. “As much as we constantly are going to try to improve here, and there’s going to be tweaks to the roster as a result of that, I think it’s also important to note just how still close we are to being the last team standing,” Boone said Wednesday. “I understand the frustrations of the fan base, but I think if you really look at it, it’s razor thin, the difference between us and say the team that’s going to win the World Series this year.” New York had its second straight injury-filled season but was mostly healthy... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is a likely possibility to start Game 4 of the National League Championship Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers if the left-hander's back continues to improve, manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. Kershaw was scratched from the Game 2 start because of back spasms, and Roberts decided to stick with left-hander Julio Urías for Game 3 against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Game 4 of the neutral-site series in Texas is Thursday night. “Every day it’s been better,” Roberts said of Kershaw's back. “I can’t just sit here right now and say he’s going to start tomorrow. I think if it progresses the way it has, it’s a likely possibility. But again, this is making sure Clayton feels good tomorrow when he wakes up and the training staff gives us our blessing as well.” Following losses by the Dodgers in the first two games, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner threw in the outfield before Game 3. Kershaw pitched a few miles from his hometown of Dallas for the first time in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against San Diego, giving up three runs in six innings for his club-record 11th career postseason victory in LA's 6-5 win. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels granted the Chicago White Sox permission to interview Hall of Famer Tony La Russa for their managing job, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person, confirming a USA Today report, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Angels typically do not comment on personnel matters. A three-time World Series-winning manager, the 76-year-old La Russa joined the Angels prior to this season as senior advisor of baseball operations. The White Sox agreed to split with Rick Renteria after a disappointing finish to a breakthrough season in which Chicago made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. La Russa, who started his managing career with the White Sox during the 1979 season, hasn't managed since 2011, when he led St. Louis past Texas in the World Series. He also won championships with Oakland in 1989 and the Cardinals in 2006. If hired, he would be the oldest manager in the major leagues by five years. Houston Astros manager Dusty... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ CALL TO ARMS With their rotation in flux, the Los Angeles Dodgers turn to 24-year-old playoff veteran Julio Urías in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series as they try to climb out of a 2-0 hole against Atlanta. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start Tuesday due to back spasms. The team still expects he'll be able to pitch later in the series, but it will be Urías in Game 3 against Braves rookie Kyle Wright. Urías, already pitching in his fourth postseason, was the winner in relief in the Game 3 clincher last Thursday against San Diego during the Division Series. He allowed only one hit and an unearned run over five innings. Wright threw six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in his postseason debut in the clinching Game 3 of the NLDS against Miami. The 25-year-old righty was the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Vanderbilt. All previous 14 teams to win the first two games of a best-of-seven... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Wednesday: ___ CALL TO ARMS With their rotation in flux, the Los Angeles Dodgers turn to 24-year-old playoff veteran Julio Urías in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series as they try to climb out of a 2-0 hole against Atlanta. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start Tuesday due to back spasms. The team still expects he'll be able to pitch later in the series, but it will be Urías in Game 3 against Braves rookie Kyle Wright. Urías, already pitching in his fourth postseason, was the winner in relief in the Game 3 clincher last Thursday against San Diego during the Division Series. He allowed only one hit and an unearned run over five innings. Wright threw six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in his postseason debut in the clinching Game 3 of the NLDS against Miami. The 25-year-old righty was the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Vanderbilt. There have been 14 teams take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — José Altuve has an undeniable case of the yips, and it's hurting the Houston Astros badly in the playoffs. The second baseman committed his fourth throwing error of the postseason and third of the AL Championship Series on Tuesday night in the sixth inning of Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Altuve also made two throwing errors in Game 2 of the series, contributing significantly to the Astros' 4-2 loss. The six-time All-Star's three errors in the last two games led directly to five runs while prolonging rallies that would have been largely shut down by solid defensive play. In Game 3, Altuve fielded Brandon Lowe's grounder at second and then botched a routine toss to second base on an attempted forceout of Randy Arozarena, bouncing his throw past shortstop Carlos Correa into left field with a noticeably unnatural throwing motion. With two runners on base, the Astros removed starter José Urquidy, who had been pitching well before Altuve's mistake. Tampa Bay promptly capitalized... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former ace Clayton Kershaw is having more back issues, Kenley Jansen hasn't seen the mound yet with his closing role unclear and baseball's highest-scoring offense stayed silent until it was too late. It's no wonder the Los Angeles Dodgers are down 2-0 in the NL Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves, a deficit the previous 14 NL teams to face in the best-of-seven format couldn't overcome. The Dodgers, who won their first five playoff games before dropping their second straight 8-7 on Tuesday night, can't get in gear in the first neutral-site NLCS and could be headed to 32 years and counting since their last championship. Kershaw was scratched because of back spasms not long before the left-hander was to make his second appearance — both in the playoffs the past week — a few miles from the three-time Cy Young Award winner's hometown of Dallas. Tony Gonsolin filled in, pitching three perfect innings in his postseason debut before allowing five runs while getting... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner apologized to the team’s fans for its postseason failure, much like his father did 39 years earlier. The Yankees were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, losing 3-2 in the Division Series. They have won the World Series once since 2000, in 2009. “I’m very disappointed, obviously,” Steinbrenner said Tuesday on ESPN New York radio. “We invested a lot of time, energy, money into the team last offseason, and we all felt that we had a team that could win a championship, and we failed to do that. We didn’t even come close. So right now, at this point in time, all I can do is apologize to our fans. They deserved a better outcome than they got. Period. I mean, they just did.” George Steinbrenner issued a similar statement following the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a six-game World Series in 1981. ?I want to sincerely apologize to the people of New York and to the fans of the New York Yankees everywhere for the performance... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke said he’s enjoyed playing games without fans during the pandemic-shortened season and in the playoffs. “I don’t really notice fans when the game’s going on, but warming up and practice before games, I mean for me it’s nice not having fans in the stands,” Greinke said Tuesday before Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. “Most people like it. When the game comes on it’s the same for me.” Asked to explain, he said: “Because then there’s no one there to talk to you and ask for autographs and want pictures and all that stuff. I don’t like to do that stuff. It’s nice not having them, for me. Most people like it. I don’t like it.” Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner with Kansas City, discussed during spring training in 2013 that he had social anxiety disorder since before high school but no longer considered it a problem. He did not mention anxiety on Tuesday. Some fans are being allowed to NL Championship Series... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall will miss the rest of the postseason because of an injury to his left side. He was replaced on the roster for the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers by infielder Johan Camargo. Duvall will not be eligible to play in the rest of the postseason. Duvall hurt his oblique in the second inning of Monday’s opener when he fouled off a pitch in the second inning. He was replaced in the middle of the plate appearance by Cristian Pache. Major League Baseball said Tuesday that its medical director, Dr. Gary Green, confirmed the injury after communicating with a Braves physician. Camargo hit .200 with four homers and nine RBIs in 120 at-bats this season and was not on the roster for the first two rounds of the playoffs. His only previous postseason experience was in 2018, when he was 0 for 15 and the Braves lost to the Dodgers in the Division Series in four games. Duvall hit .237 with 16 homers and 33 RBIs this season and was 2 for 20 with a home run and three RBIs in the playoffs. He hit a two-run homer off Raisel Iglesias that drove in the final two runs in the 5-0 win over Cincinnati in Game 2 of the first round, completing a two-game sweep. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has been scratched from his start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series due to back spasms. The Dodgers announced the decision on their longtime ace Tuesday, about seven hours before the first pitch in Arlington, Texas. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will start in Kershaw's place in Game 2 with the Dodgers down 1-0 in the series to the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old Gonsolin will be making his major league postseason debut. After missing his opening start of the regular season with back tightness, Kershaw had a resurgent year while the Dodgers finished with the majors' best record, going 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts. He had 62 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. Kershaw has kept it up in the postseason with victories in two strong starts. He threw eight scoreless innings of three-hit, 13-strikeout ball to beat Milwaukee in the wild card round, and he picked up another win in the Division Series while allowing three runs over... [More]

Oct. 14 1905 — Christy Mathewson blanked the Philadelphia Athletics 2-0 to give the New York Giants the World Series in five games. All were shutouts, with Mathewson getting three, Joe McGinnity one, and Chief Bender of Philadelphia one. 1929 — The Philadelphia A’s rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 and take the World Series in five games. 1965 — Sandy Koufax tossed his second shutout to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins and the world championship in seven games. 1969 — New York’s Tommie Agee made two spectacular catches to save five runs and secure a 5-0 victory over Baltimore as the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the World Series. 1971 — Pittsburgh’s Nelson Briles threw a two-hitter against the Orioles for a 4-0 victory to give the Pirates a 3-2 edge in the World Series. 1972 — Oakland catcher Gene Tenace became the first player to hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats in the World Series, leading the Athletics to... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ SHAKY ‘STROS Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros face a 2-0 hole against Tampa Bay in the AL Championship Series and have hardly looked like a club that’s won two of the past three AL pennants. Altuve made two throwing errors from second base during a 4-2 defeat in Game 2, including a short-hop toss that preceded a three-run homer by Manuel Margot. After the second error — both from shallow right field as part of infield shifts — Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa began to swap positions in the formation. “You just hope he isn’t getting the yips, because invariably they come in bunches,” said manager Dusty Baker, who gave Altuve a hug in the dugout after the second error. “Everything comes in bunches. I just told him to flush it. This guy has been awesome for us. You’ve got to flush it and move on, or else it multiplies. I’m sure he’ll do that.” The Astros have also had a lousy go with runners on base. They’re 3 for 16 in the series... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are having trouble figuring out the back end of their bullpen. Blake Treinen surrendered Austin Riley's tiebreaking home run leading off the ninth inning, and the right-hander combined with lefty Jake McGee to give up four runs in Atlanta's 5-1 victory over the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series opener Monday night. Treinen and McGee were two of the ninth-inning options because Kenley Jansen, the club's career leader in saves, has been struggling with his velocity and command. Manager Dave Roberts has chosen his words carefully while saying the bullpen roles are open in the ninth. Ronald Acuña Jr. followed Riley's homer with a double, and Treinen was gone after giving up Marcell Ozuna's RBI single. Treinen's only out was a long flyball to center by Freddie Freeman that moved Ozuna to third. After starter Walker Buehler allowed one run with seven strikeouts in five innings, Brusdar Graterol retired three straight to escape the sixth when... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ SHAKY ‘STROS Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros face a 2-0 hole against Tampa Bay in the AL Championship Series and have hardly looked like a club that’s won two of the past three AL pennants. Altuve made two throwing errors from second base during a 4-2 defeat in Game 2, including a short-hop toss that preceded a three-run homer by Manuel Margot. After the second error — both from shallow right field as part of infield shifts — Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa began to swap positions in the formation. “You just hope he isn’t getting the yips, because invariably they come in bunches,” said manager Dusty Baker, who gave Altuve a hug in the dugout after the second error. “Everything comes in bunches. I just told him to flush it. This guy has been awesome for us. You’ve got to flush it and move on, or else it multiplies. I’m sure he’ll do that.” The Astros have also had a lousy go with runners on base. They’re 3 for 16 in the series... [More]