Mon Oct 12 2020 | 22:00 | Baseball's first fans of 2020 see Dodgers-Braves NLCS opener | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Scott McIlroy reached out with his left hand as a batting practice home run clanged off a railing and hit him in the palm, the ball popping in the air before settling back into his grip as he held a cell phone in his right hand. Count the Texas resident and Los Angeles Dodgers fan among the first in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season to catch a pre-game souvenir — and among the first ticket buyers to see live baseball in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night. Major League Baseball said it was selling 11,500 tickets per game at Globe Life Field for the series between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves and plans a similar allotment at the same ballpark when it hosts the first neutral-site World Series starting Oct. 20. McIlroy got a call from a friend knowing the longtime Dodgers fan would want to make the two-hour drive to the Dallas area. “We were wondering what the mixture of fans would be,” McIlroy said. "In this new age of what we’re going... [ More] |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 21:36 | Braves LF Duvall leaves NLCS opener with left oblique issue | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Duvall | LF | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Nick Markakis | RF | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Cristian Pache | CF | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Austin Riley | 3B/LF | Braves | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Atlanta Braves left fielder Adam Duvall left Game 1 of the NL Championships Series after hurting his left oblique in his first at-bat Monday night. Duvall was in obvious pain after fouling off a pitch from Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler in the second inning. Duvall immediately grimaced in pain and had his hand on his left side. Cristian Pache took over with a 1-2 count and drew a one-out walk before moving to second base on a wild pitch. He got stranded after Buehler struck out Nick Markakis and Austin Riley. Pache took over in center field, with Ronald Acuña Jr. shifting over to right and Markakis going to left. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 21:26 | San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham stabbed, will recover | Tommy Pham | DH/LF | Padres | Free Agent |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham is recovering after he was stabbed in the back Sunday night, authorities said. Pham was stabbed shortly after 10:30 p.m. outside the Pacers Showgirls International gentlemen's club, police Lt. Shawn Takeuchi told the San Diego Union-Tribune. Pham apparently didn't know the attackers, who remain at large, he said. “While it was a very traumatic and eye-opening experience for me, I’m on the road to recovery and I know I’ll be back to my offseason training routine in no time,” Pham said in a statement released by the team. Two people who said they spoke with Pham told the Union-Tribune that Pham was leaving and saw an argument taking place near his car. One person told the paper that Pham was attacked after asking the arguing people to get away from his car. Pham was stabbed in the lower back and the wound pierced all three layers of skin but didn't damage any organs, according to a statement from the Padres. The team said he was in good condition and is expected to fully recover. Pham, 32, was traded to the Padres last year after six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals. He hit .211 this year with three home runs, 12 RBIs and six stolen bases in 31 games, then batted .375 (9 for 24) in six postseason games before San Diego was eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 21:06 | Twins SS Polanco has ankle surgery in 2nd straight offseason | Jorge Polanco | SS | Twins | Free Agent |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco is recovering from surgery on his right ankle for a second straight offseason. The Twins announced Monday that Polanco had a procedure last week to remove a mild bone spur and a small bone chip on the outside of the joint that went as planned. He had a similar cleanup operation about a year ago. Polanco will begin physical therapy next week, and the Twins said he's expected to be ready when spring training starts in four months. Polanco played through discomfort in the ankle for most of the season and slumped down the stretch. The 2019 All-Star played in 55 of 60 games but saw his slugging percentage fall from .485 to .354. He hit .167 with just two extra-base hits in his last 15 games including the playoffs. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 19:36 | Altuve's 2 early throwing errors doom Astros in ALCS Game 2 | Michael Brantley | DH/LF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B/SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Brosseau | 2B/3B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Ji Man Choi | 1B/PH | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos Correa | SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Yuli Gurriel | 1B/3B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Kiermaier | CF | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Brandon Lowe | 2B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Manuel Margot | CF/PH | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Lance McCullers | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Whether they're in the field or at the plate, the Houston Astros are finding it tough to summon their usual postseason proficiency so far in the AL Championship Series. Almost as tough as José Altuve is finding it to throw to first base from shallow right field. Altuve's two throwing errors were the lowlight of Houston's 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 on Monday, with his first error prolonging the first inning and leading directly to Manuel Margot's decisive three-run homer. “We’re very surprised,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “That’s his first throwing error all year, and he hit two of them today." Altuve's mistakes and another quiet day at the plate have put the defending AL champion Astros in a 2-0 series hole in less than 24 hours in San Diego. Houston is facing an 0-2 series deficit for only the second time during its current run of four consecutive playoff appearances with two AL pennants. The Astros lost the first two games of last year's World Series... [ More] |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 12:46 | Dodgers add Wood as extra pitcher for NLCS against Braves | Austin Barnes | C | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Matt Beaty | 1B/LF/PH | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Cody Bellinger | 1B/CF/RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Dylan Floro | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Tony Gonsolin | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Terrance Gore | LF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Brusdar Graterol | RP/SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Kenley Jansen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Joe Kelly | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Adam Kolarek | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Gavin Lux | 2B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Dustin May | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Jake McGee | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Max Muncy | 1B/2B/3B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Joc Pederson | 1B/LF/PH/RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Edwin Ríos | 1B/3B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Corey Seager | SS | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Will Smith | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Chris Taylor | 2B/CF/LF/PH/SS | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Blake Treinen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Justin Turner | 3B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Wood | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have added left-hander Alex Wood as an extra pitcher for the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, while also bringing back infielder Edwin Rios after he missed the last round with a groin injury. Wood missed a month of the shortened season because of a shoulder injury in his first start, though he returned in September when seven of his eight appearances were in relief. Los Angeles is going with 15 pitchers, after having 14 on its roster in the three-game NL Division Series sweep of San Diego, and 13 in the wild-card round against Milwaukee. Terrance Gore was left off the NLCS roster after the speedy outfielder didn't appear in either series. Rios replaced Gavin Lux, who got only one at-bat against the Padres. The Dodgers' 28-player roster for the best-of-seven NLCS against the Braves that starts Monday night: LOS ANGELES Pitchers (15): RH Pedro Baéz, RH Walker Buehler, RH Dylan Floro, RH Tony Gonsolin, LH Victor... [ More] |
Mon Oct 12 2020 | 10:06 | This Date in Baseball | Javier Báez | SS | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | David Ortiz | | | Free Agent |
| | | Anthony Rizzo | 1B | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Jarrod Saltalamacchia | | | Free Agent |
| | | Kyle Schwarber | LF | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Delmon Young | | | Free Agent |
Oct. 13 1903 — The Boston Pilgrims won the first World Series, five games to three, with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. 1914 — The Boston Braves completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, first in World Series history, with a 3-1 victory. 1921 — Art Nehf tossed a 1-0, four-hitter against the New York Yankees for the World Series title in eight games. The Giants scored their run in the first inning on an error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh. 1960 — Bill Mazeroski opened the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory and the World Series in seven games. 1971 — The first World Series night game was played in Pittsburgh with the Pirates beating Baltimore 4-3. Roberto Clemente had three hits for Pittsburgh. 1978 — New York third baseman Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented seven runs as the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in the third game of the World Series. Nettles made... [ More] |
Sun Oct 11 2020 | 23:46 | Astros' big bats go silent in ALCS opener loss to Tampa Bay | Michael Brantley | DH/LF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B/SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos Correa | SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Yuli Gurriel | 1B/3B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Loup | RP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Reddick | LF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — After the Houston Astros bashed the ball all over Dodger Stadium for the past week, they found it a whole lot harder to slug when they moved a couple of hours down the coast for the AL Championship Series. Tampa Bay limited the Astros' star-studded lineup to nine hits — but just one for extra bases — in the Rays' 2-1 victory to open the ALCS at Petco Park on Sunday night. The Houston offense that set off postseason fireworks against Minnesota and Oakland was a dull squib in San Diego — at least after José Altuve's first-inning homer, the Astros' 14th long ball of these playoffs and their 13th in the last five games. The Astros got no more big hits against Blake Snell and the Rays' justifiably vaunted bullpen. They mounted significant rallies in five different innings, but repeatedly failed to get the key knock that would have turned a tight game into something more comfortable for the defending AL champions. Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and the Astros left 10 men on base... [ More] |
Sun Oct 11 2020 | 20:56 | LEADING OFF: Fans back as Braves, Dodgers open NLCS in Texas | Lance McCullers | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Charlie Morton | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Blake Treinen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday: WELCOME BACK For the first time since spring training shut in mid-March because of the virus, fans will permitted back in the ballpark. They will be allowed into Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, when the Dodgers and Braves meet in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series. About 11,500 tickets were available, sold in groups of four with each of those pods separated by at least six feet. That’s about 28% of the 40,518 capacity at the new $1.2 billion home of the Texas Rangers. There aren’t any fans inside Petco Park in San Diego for the ALCS between Houston and Tampa Bay. “I think it’s a step back towards the normalcy, where people have the right to be free and make a choice to go out and do what they want to do,” Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said. “It’s not fun playing baseball without fans. ... We welcome it, we are excited for it.” REMEMBER ME? After getting the win for Houston in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series against the Los... [ More] |
Sun Oct 11 2020 | 17:35 | Rays add lefties Alvarado, Fleming to ALCS roster | Oliver Drake | RP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Fleming | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Brett Phillips | CF | Royals | Free Agent |
| | | Trevor Richards | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have added left-handers José Alvarado and Josh Fleming to their roster for the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros. With those additions, outfielder Brett Phillips and right-hander Trevor Richards did not make the ALCS roster but remain in the 60-man postseason eligible-player pool. To make room for Alvarado on the 40-man roster, right-hander Oliver Drake was designated for assignment. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Sun Oct 11 2020 | 11:16 | A capsule look at the Braves-Dodgers playoff series | Ian Anderson | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Cody Bellinger | 1B/CF/RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Mookie Betts | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Walker Buehler | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Dylan Floro | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Freddie Freeman | 1B | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Tony Gonsolin | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Brusdar Graterol | RP/SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Shane Greene | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Cole Hamels | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Kenley Jansen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Joe Kelly | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Chris Martin | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Dustin May | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Mark Melancon | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Max Muncy | 1B/2B/3B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Marcell Ozuna | DH/LF | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Joc Pederson | 1B/LF/PH/RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Corey Seager | SS | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Will Smith | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Michael Soroka | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Chris Taylor | 2B/CF/LF/PH/SS | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Tomlin | RP/SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Blake Treinen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Justin Turner | 3B | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Bryse Wilson | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Kyle Wright | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Huascar Ynoa | SP | Braves | Free Agent |
| | | Travis d'Arnaud | 1B/C | Braves | Free Agent |
A capsule look at the best-of-seven NL Championship Series between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in Arlington, Texas, beginning Monday night: ___ Season Series: Did not play. ___ ATLANTA BRAVES Record: 35-25. Playoff Entry: NL East champions. Playoff Seed: No. 2. Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). Projected Rotation: LHP Max Fried (7-0, 2.25 ERA, 50 Ks), RHP Ian Anderson (3-2, 1.95, 41 Ks, 32 1/3 IP, 6 starts), RHP Kyle Wright (2-4, 5.21, 30 Ks), RHP Josh Tomlin (2-2, 4.76), RHP Bryse Wilson (1-0, 4.02, 1 save in 15 2/3 IP) or RHP Huascar Ynoa (0-0, 5.82). Top Hitters: 1B Freddie Freeman (.341, 13 HRs, 53 RBIs, 51 runs, 1.102 OPS), DH Marcell Ozuna (.338, 18, 56, 77 hits, 1.067 OPS), OF Ronald Acua Jr. (.250, 14, 29), C Travis d'Arnaud (.321, 9, 34). Top Relievers: RHP Mark Melancon (2-1, 2.78 ERA, 11 saves), LHP Will Smith (2-2, 4.50), LHP Tyler Matzek (4-3, 2.79, 43 Ks in 29 IP), RHP Chris Martin (1-1, 1.00, 1 save), RHP Shane Greene (1-0, 2.60). Series Summary: Winners... [ More] |
Sun Oct 11 2020 | 02:15 | LEADING OFF: Rays' Snell, Astros' Valdez meet in ALCS opener | Zack Britton | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Brosseau | 2B/3B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Brett Gardner | CF/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | J.A. Happ | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Kenley Jansen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | DJ LeMahieu | 1B/2B/3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Giancarlo Stanton | DH/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Framber Valdez | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ HELLO AGAIN Houston and Tampa Bay are set to open their AL Championship Series in San Diego, with Astros left-hander Framber Valdez opposing 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. After going 29-31 during the regular season, Houston is 5-1 in the playoffs after eliminating AL West champion Oakland in four games in the ALDS at Dodger Stadium. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. They went the distance in their ALDS against the Yankees, advancing with a 2-1 victory Friday night on Mike Brosseau’s dramatic eighth-inning home run off Aroldis Chapman. CLOSED OUT In a season that’s gone exceedingly well for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a late problem that... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 17:55 | A capsule look at the Astros-Rays playoff series | Nick Anderson | RP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Michael Brantley | DH/LF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B/SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Brosseau | 2B/3B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos Correa | SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Pete Fairbanks | RP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Tyler Glasnow | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Zack Greinke | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Cristian Javier | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Brandon Lowe | 2B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Lance McCullers | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Austin Meadows | DH/LF/RF | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Charlie Morton | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Enoli Paredes | RP/SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Ryan Pressly | RP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Brooks Raley | RP | Reds | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Blake Taylor | RP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | José Urquidy | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Framber Valdez | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Justin Verlander | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
A capsule look at the best-of-seven playoff series between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays in San Diego beginning Sunday: ___ Season Series: Did not meet. ___ HOUSTON ASTROS Record: 29-31. Playoff Entry: second place, AL West. Playoff Seed: No. 6. Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). Projected Rotation: LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.57 ERA, 76 Ks), RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (3-3, 3.93, 56 Ks), RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.73, 17 Ks), RHP Zack Greinke (3-3, 4.03, 67 Ks), RHP Cristian Javier (5-2, 3.48, 54 Ks). Top Hitters: DH Michael Brantley (.300, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 15 doubles), CF George Springer (.265, 14, 32), LF Kyle Tucker (.268, 9, 42). Top Relievers: RHP Ryan Pressly (1-3, 3.43 ERA, 12 saves), RHP Enoli Paredes (3-3, 3.05), LHP Blake Taylor (2-1, 2.18, 1 save), LHP Brooks Raley (0-1, 3.94, 1 save). Series Summary: Last year’s American League champions limped into the playoffs as the only AL team to make it with a losing record after dropping three straight and four of their final five... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 16:25 | Jansen shaky, role as Dodgers closer muddled going into NLCS | Kenley Jansen | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Joe Kelly | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a season that's gone exceedingly well for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a late problem that popped up is causing a lot of concern: Can they still count on Kenley Jansen as their closer? That has become an uncomfortable question for manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers as they prepare for another NL Championship Series. Especially with something seemingly not right with the reliever who for so long was the obvious answer when it came to finishing playoff games. “I’m very sensitive to what he has accomplished on the baseball field, as a closer and as a perennial All-Star, but we also have to look in real time, and do what’s best for the Dodgers,” said Roberts, though the manager hasn't been ready to make a definitive declaration about Jansen's role. The best-of-seven NLCS against the Atlanta Braves starts Monday night in the Texas Rangers' new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. That is where the Dodgers, whose last World Series title was in 1988, swept San... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 15:35 | Disgusted and dismayed, Yanks face big decisions for 2021 | Zack Britton | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Mike Brosseau | 2B/3B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Brett Gardner | CF/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | J.A. Happ | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Kyle Higashioka | C | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Tommy Kahnle | RP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | DJ LeMahieu | 1B/2B/3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Jordan Montgomery | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | James Paxton | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Luis Severino | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Giancarlo Stanton | DH/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Masahiro Tanaka | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gio Urshela | 3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Luke Voit | 1B/DH | Yankees | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Luke Voit, backwards cap atop his head, was disgusted and dismayed. Eyes downcast, he summed up the New York Yankees’ 11th straight season without a title, the team’s widest expanse of failure since the desert between the Reggie Jackson era and the Derek Jeter renaissance. “I hate this feeling. It sucks, the third year in a row going through it,” the major league home run champion said. “So I’m going to use it in every workout, every BP session, cage session I have and be ready for spring training this year.” The 2020 season was so different, with the novel coronavirus pandemic cutting the schedule from 162 games to 60, sparking a summer camp of training part two and causing Yankee Stadium’s stands to fill with echoes on game nights rather than the usual boisterous fans. But the denouement was similar to 2019's. Aroldis Chapman gave up a home run that eliminated New York from the playoffs, this time Mike Brosseau’s eighth-inning drive in Division Series Game 5 against Tampa... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 14:45 | Column: Cheaters do prosper, at least in baseball | Jose Altuve | 2B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Alex Bregman | 3B/SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos Correa | SS | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Yuli Gurriel | 1B/3B | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Clayton Kershaw | SP | Dodgers | Free Agent |
| | | Josh Reddick | LF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | George Springer | CF/RF | Astros | Free Agent |
Remorse? Carlos Correa has none. Not for stealing the 2017 World Series from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Certainly not for celebrating on the field at Dodger Stadium after advancing in the MLB playoffs. “I know a lot of people are mad. I know a lot of people don’t want to see us here,’’ the Houston shortstop said. ``But what are they going to say now?” A lot of things, I’m sure, though most are unprintable. Still, the words pale with what they might say if the Astros and Dodgers advance to play in another World Series. That unpleasant possibility is now closer to reality, with no thanks given to commissioner Rob Manfred. He’s the one who allowed Correa and his fellow cheaters to play this season without as much as a slap on the wrist, and he’s the one who expanded the playoffs so much that a losing team like the Astros somehow found a way to get in. Thankfully there were no fans at Dodger Stadium the other day to watch the Astros celebrate another playoff triumph. Still, the cardboard cutouts... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 10:05 | This Date in Baseball | Javier Báez | SS | Cubs | Free Agent |
| | | Carlos Beltrán | | | Free Agent |
| | | Didi Gregorius | SS | Phillies | Free Agent |
Oct. 11 1906 — Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox pitched a two-hitter over the Chicago Cubs for a 3-0 win and a 2-1 lead in the World Series. 1913 — Eddie Plank tossed a two-hitter against the New York Giants to give the Philadelphia Athletics a 3-1 victory and the World Series in five games. 1943 — New York’s Spud Chandler shut out the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 as the Yankees won the World Series in five games. Chandler gave up 10 hits and stranded 11 runners. Bill Dickey’s two-run homer in the sixth inning was the difference. 1967 — Rico Petrocelli’s two home runs led the Boston Red Sox in an 8-4 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals and forced a seventh game in the World Series. 1972 — Bob Moose’s wild pitch in the ninth inning allowed George Foster to score the winning run as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 and captured the NLCS in the fifth game. 1985 — George Brett’s four hits, including two homers, led the Kansas City Royals to 6-5 comeback victory over the Toronto... [ More] |
Sat Oct 10 2020 | 02:25 | LEADING OFF: Rays thwart Yankees, seek revenge vs Astros | Mike Brosseau | 2B/3B | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Lance McCullers | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
| | | Framber Valdez | SP | Astros | Free Agent |
A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ REVENGE RAYS The Tampa Bay Rays have more revenge in mind heading to the AL Championship Series. Mike Brosseau hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning off All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on Friday night, propelling Tampa Bay past the rival Yankees in their AL Division Series. It was a sweet piece of vengeance for Brosseau after Chapman buzzed a 101 mph fastball over his head during the regular season, escalating tensions in an already bitter rivalry. Brosseau downplayed their past drama. “No revenge,” he said. “We put that the past. We came here to win the series.” The Rays' reward: a rematch with the Astros, the team that knocked them out of the 2019 postseason. “They’ve been the team to beat the last few years,” Brosseau said. “They knocked us out last year, so it will be fun to face them again.” Game 1 will be Sunday night in San Diego. Houston will have a fully rested rotation, with Lance McCullers Jr. or Framber Valdez most... [ More] |
Fri Oct 9 2020 | 23:15 | Yankees come up short again in Game 5 loss to Rays | Aroldis Chapman | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gerrit Cole | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Brett Gardner | CF/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Aaron Judge | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | DJ LeMahieu | 1B/2B/3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Austin Meadows | DH/LF/RF | Rays | Free Agent |
| | | Giancarlo Stanton | DH/LF | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Gio Urshela | 3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
| | | Luke Voit | 1B/DH | Yankees | Free Agent |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — When the New York Yankees needed their star-studded lineup to produce runs in an elimination playoff game, they got three hits. When they really could have used a special play in the field to save a run, Aaron Judge hit his head on the wall. And when the Yankees needed their superstar closer to shut down the Tampa Bay Rays, Aroldis Chapman gave up a homer to an undrafted infielder who had never gone yard in a playoff game. New York's season came to a crashing end in San Diego on Friday night with a 2-1 loss in Game 5 of the AL Division Series. After failing to reach the World Series for the 11th consecutive year, the Yankees head into an uncertain offseason with the certain knowledge they weren't even the best team in the AL East this season. “It’s awful,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The ending is cruel, it really is.” The team's biggest faults in Game 5 were on offense. Judge's fourth-inning homer was the only extra-base hit in Game 5 by a lineup that crushed a major league-record... [ More] |
Fri Oct 9 2020 | 18:35 | Reaction to the death of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford | Zack Britton | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
Reaction to the death of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, the ace of the mighty New York Yankees teams in the 1950s and ’60s. Ford died Thursday night at his Long Island home at the age of 91: ___ “This is one of the guys that’s a Mount Rushmore guy in the Yankee organization. The nickname, there’s just this legend of this larger-than-life Chairman of the Board. Obviously, a great pitcher. One of those guys that personifies this franchise’s greatness is Whitey, just the name itself, just the nickname itself. And I know he is beloved in this organization by so many people.” — Yankees manager Aaron Boone. ___ “When people talk about their list of the top five pitchers of all time, they always mention guys like Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson and Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux and others. They never say Whitey Ford. But they should. I know what he could do, I saw it.” — Former teammate and All-Star shortstop Tony Kubek. ___ “Today I was asked who’s my fav pitcher of all time. I’ve... [ More] |