Chris Archer to the Pittsburgh Pirates http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-dale-murphy-jersey , the teamannounced Tuesday.Tampa Bay will receive right-handerTyler Glasnow, outfielder Austin Meadows and a player to be named later.Although he has been a reliever exclusively in 2018, Glasnow has made 17 MLB starts and 117 starts in the minors. Meadows, meanwhile, is batting .292 and slugging .468 with five home runs and 13 RBI in his rookie season.Although Archer finished with an ERA slightly above 4.00 in each of the last two seasons, which is below expectations for a pitcher with his stuff, it's surprising the Rays moved him. He posted a 4.07 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 249 strikeouts in 201 innings in 2017.He owns a 4.31 ERA through 17 starts this year.None of the other factors typically involved when a marquee player gets traded were in play with the 29-year-old right-hander. He doesn't have an extensive injury history, he seems to be a positive influence in the clubhouse and he's under club control through 2021 on a team-friendly deal Freddie Freeman Jersey , per Spotrac.The Rays have also remained a fringe factor in the AL wild-card race. They are 10 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the second wild-card spot.Last September, the North Carolina native talked about a second straight year where his ERA finished well above his 3.69 career mark."Honestly, if you remove maybe three starts, I had a terrific year," he told reporters. "You put in three starts where I gave up about 18 runs, it's very mediocre for me. Lots of innings, lots of strikeouts, not a lot of wins. Just had a couple bad games http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-bobby-cox-jersey , and it skewed the numbers a little. For me, I still feel good about the overall body of work."Starting pitchers with his type of electric arm and elite strikeout numbers aren't easy to find. That's why it's worth taking a chance on him, even if he's struggled with his command at times.The Pirates have remained firmly in the NL playoff race despite mediocre production from their starting pitchers. Pittsburgh ranks 17th in starter ERA, per ESPN.com. The addition of Archer should help improve that number if he can return to top form following the move.He'll headline a rotation that also includes Jameson Taillon,Trevor Williams andIvan Nova.It's important to remember Pittsburgh's newest addition is signed for the long haul. So it's a far more promising trade based on the fact that he'll continue to helpfor years.Ultimately, the Rays decided to trade Archer now, which eliminates the possibility he could lose further value. It's the type of move that could come back to haunt the organization if he can reach his potential in his new home, though. SAN FRANCISCO — The Atlanta Braves will seek more late-game magic when they face the free-falling San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night in the middle meeting of a three-game series.The Braves (80-64) scored once in the seventh inning and twice in the ninth to break from a 1-1 tie en route to a 4-1 victory in the series opener on Monday night.The win was Atlanta’s fourth in five tries on a seven-game Western swing and pushed the Braves a season-best five games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies (74-68) in the National League East.Article continues below ...Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson continue a run of productive late-game plate appearances with a pair of sacrifice flies that accounted for Atlanta’s seventh-inning run and one of its ninth-inning tallies in the win.The two RBIs ran the 24-year-old’s season total to a career-best 57 http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-bob-uecker-jersey , 26 of which have come in the seventh through ninth innings. He’s hitting .323 in those innings.Both sacrifice flies scored Ozzie Albies, who had doubled and tripled to put himself in scoring position. He now has 19 extra-base hits — 12 doubles, two triples and five home runs — in the seventh through ninth innings.The three late runs raised the Braves’ season total in the seventh through ninth to 232, just one fewer than the NL-leading Chicago Cubs.The Braves will look to pad their total against Giants rookie left-hander Andrew Suarez (6-10, 4.33) and/or a San Francisco bullpen that’s been leaking oil of late.Suarez recorded his first major-league win in Atlanta on May 6, limiting the Braves to one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings.He left with a three-run lead, then almost saw his win evaporate into thin air when Atlanta got rolling offensively late in the game, scoring twice off Giants closer Hunter Strickland in the ninth before stranding the potential tying run at third base.The outing was the only time Suarez has faced the Braves.Strickland has been a part of a Giants bullpen that has contributed big-time to the team’s current nine-game losing streak.The bullpen has allowed 15 runs in 24 2/3 innings (5.47 ERA) in those games Tyler Flowers Jersey , registering two blown saves and four losses.Strickland has allowed at least one run in six of his last nine appearances, including the two in the ninth inning Monday against the Braves.Atlanta will counter Tuesday with right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (10-9, 2.75), who has a 2-3 lifetime record and a 5.35 ERA in six starts against the Giants.Those numbers got worse when he pitched in a 9-4 loss home to San Francisco in May and got hammered for a six-run second inning.The Giants swept that three-game series in Atlanta.The late start on the West Coast on Tuesday night will give the Braves an opportunity to do some serious scoreboard-watching as their chief rival in the East, the Phillies, play a double-header against the Washington Nationals that starts at 12:05 p.m. Pacific time.The double-header was the result of a postponement Monday due to a soggy field.
NEW YORK (AP) — for Monday night has been postponed because of the rain Ferguson Jenkins Jersey , again delaying the next start for New York ace Jacob deGrom.The teams will play a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday starting at 4:10 p.m.DeGrom, with a major league-leading 1.68 ERA and an 8-8 record after 28 starts, had been set to start Sunday at Citi Field against Philadelphia. But the Mets scratched the NL Cy Young Award contender because of rainy weather before a 6-4 win over the Phillies, and instead had ready to pitch Monday. He’s now scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Marlins and on Sunday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.DeGrom has made 25 consecutive starts overall allowing three runs or fewer, tying the major league record set by King Cole of the 1910 Chicago Cubs.The Marlins were rained out for the second straight day. They were postponed Sunday at Pittsburgh.This game was called four hours before it was supposed to begin. It had been raining all day in the New York area and more wet weather was forecast into the middle of the week.This was the 50th weather-related postponement in the majors this season. There were 39 for all of last year. CLEVELAND — With a chance to clinch a third consecutive American League Central title, the Cleveland Indians will host the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.The Indians’ magic number for clinching the division is one. Even if the Indians lose Saturday, they would clinch the title if Minnesota loses to Kansas City.With a 15-game lead over the second-place Twins, the Indians will obviously clinch the division at some point. The only question is when. This will be the fourth time the Indians have made it to the postseason in the six seasons since Terry Francona became manager in 2013.Article continues below ...“We take a lot of pride in that,” Francona said. “It’s hard to do. Not everything goes your way http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-jason-grilli-jersey , but we’ve found a way to be good enough, and done it in a good way.”Whenever the Indians clinch the division, Francona said it’s a celebration worth having, no matter how big the margin.“I want our guys to enjoy it because it’s really hard,” he said. “But then you turn the page and it’s ‘What’s next?'”The Indians will likely play the Houston Astros in the Division Series, but what’s next is Saturday’s home game against the Tigers in which Cleveland right-hander Mike Clevinger will face Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer.Clevinger (11-8, 3.16 ERA) will be making his 30th start of the season. His last start was a 6-2 loss to Toronto on Sunday in which he pitched six innings, allowing three runs and four hits, with nine strikeouts and two walks. That is Clevinger’s only loss in his last eight starts Ryan Rua Jersey , during which he has a 4-1 record and a 2.40 ERA.Clevinger’s last start against the Tigers was a 2-1 loss on July 28, when he pitched five innings, giving up just two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. In two starts against Detroit this year, Clevinger is 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA. He has made eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Tigers and is 4-2 with a 2.52 ERA.Fulmer (3-11, 4.56) has had a tough year. He hasn’t won a game since June 14. In nine starts since then, he is 0-6 with a 5.23 ERA.Fulmer’s last start against Cleveland came June 8. He got no decision in a 4-1 Tigers loss. In that game, Fulmer pitched seven innings, allowing one run and five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.In two starts against the Indians this year, Fulmer is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA. In seven career starts against Cleveland Drew Robinson Jersey , he is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA. In five career starts at Progressive Field, Fulmer is 2-3 with a 7.20 ERA.The Tigers won the first game of the series Friday night, snapping their four-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory that also halted their 10-game losing streak at Progressive Field.Two of Cleveland’s six hits were by third baseman Josh Donaldson, who in the sixth inning, in his first game at Progressive Field as a member of the Indians, belted his first home run in a Cleveland uniform. The Indians acquired Donaldson in a trade with Toronto on Aug. 31.Donaldson will not play in Saturday’s game as the Indians are easing him back into the lineup after he missed 3 1/2 months earlier this season with a strained calf.
Tuesday night for the Philadelphia Phillies http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-brandon-finnegan-jersey , who finally earned a win on a night in which the Atlanta Braves lost. The Phillies will look to continue a last-ditch attempt to get back into the National League East race Wednesday night when they host the New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.The Phillies evened the series Tuesday night when Jorge Alfaro’s three-run homer capped a five-run sixth inning in a 5-2 victory. The win, coupled with the Braves’ 8-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, pulled Philadelphia within 5 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta, which has a magic number of seven for winning the division.Article continues below ...The Braves have dropped three straight, but the Phillies failed to make up ground when they lost to the Miami Marlins on Sunday and the Mets on Monday.Another win on Wednesday — when the Phillies’ Zach Eflin (10-7, 4.26 ERA) is scheduled to oppose the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard (12-3, 3.26) in a battle of right-handers — will provide Philadelphia some valuable momentum heading Thursday, when it begins a make-or-break four-game series in Atlanta against the Braves. The two teams are also scheduled to finish the season with a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.“We have a chance, for sure,” Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola told reporters after he allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings Tuesday night. “Seven games against the Braves. Have to go over there Reggie Sanders Jersey , but just worry about what we can do and not really worry about the Braves right now.”With their third loss in four games, meanwhile, the Mets (70-81) ensured themselves a second straight non-winning season. They opened the month with 10 wins in the first 13 games, but the late run wasn’t nearly enough to undo the damage New York suffered in going 5-21 in June — the third-worst month, in terms of winning percentage, in franchise history.“We have to do everything we can to make sure a June doesn’t happen again,” first-year Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “Because it derails your whole season.”Eflin stopped a three-start losing streak last Friday when he allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings as the Phillies beat the Marlins 14-2. It was the first time since June 27, a span of 11 starts, in which Eflin allowed fewer than two runs.Syndergaard won his third straight start last Friday, surrendering just three hits over seven scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Boston Red Sox 8-0. He has a 1.99 ERA and has allowed 26 baserunners while striking out 21 over 22 2/3 innings this month.Eflin is 1-3 with a 6.10 ERA in six career starts against the Mets. He split two decisions against New York over the past six weeks Johnny Bench Jersey , giving up 10 runs over 9 2/3 innings. Syndergaard is 5-2 with a 2.96 ERA in nine career starts against the Phillies. He allowed four runs and 12 hits over 6 2/3 innings in beating Philadelphia on Sept. 8. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A little break in the action did Javier Baez some good.Baez bounced back from a couple of strikeouts with a big home run, Cole Hamels pitched six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Monday night.Baez has homered in back-to-back games for the fifth time this season and has six in his past 10 games with 14 RBIs.He struck out swinging in his first two at-bats before a 22-minute rain delay in the fourth.“I was so mad,” Baez said. “Not that I struck out, but it was pitches way out of the zone. After the rain delay I went out there with a different attitude and just trying to be patient. The first AB I was, like, damn, it’s my first time here and they’re yelling for me. I was really nervous and really happy.”Baez hit the first pitch from reliever Kevin McCarthy (4-4) in the sixth inning to center for his 25th home run, putting the Cubs ahead 2-1.“It was just a bad pitch,” McCarthy said. “It was down the middle and he got it. He’s just hot right now. He’s seeing the ball well and he got that one.”Baez doubled in the eighth to score Jason Heyward http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-morgan-jersey , upping his RBI total to an NL-leading 88.“He’s just a dangerous, dangerous hitter,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s going to attack. You don’t have to throw him strikes. He struck out the first two times with pitches way out of the zone. But he’s got 25 homers, so there are enough mistakes being made. But you make a pitch that’s not way out of the zone, he’s so talented and so strong, he’ll drive it out of the ball park.”Hamels (7-9) is 2-0 since the Cubs acquired him in a July 27 trade with the Texas Rangers. He allowed one run and seven hits.“I’ve faced these guys twice before this season,” Hamels said. “Pretty familiar with what they’re able to hit, what they’re not able to hit. I think noticing the curveball being pretty effective we’d like to stick with that and I think that was the case.”Alcides Escobar’s two-out second-inning single scored Rosell Herrera for the first earned run Hamels allowed at Kauffman Stadium in four career starts, covering 21 2/3 innings.Royals starter Jakob Junis worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth. Ben Zobrist and Heyward hit ground ball outs to end the inning.The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning Dave Concepcion Jersey , but Hamels retired Hunter Dozier on a grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a full-count pitch.Junis was removed after five innings and 87 pitches, allowing one run and five hits while striking out eight, one shy of his career high.Zobrist led off the fourth with a triple and scored on Junis’ wild pitch.Cubs relievers Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop limited the Royals to one single over the final three innings. Strop earned his eighth save in 11 chances, working a spotless ninth.The Royals have lost five straight and are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the worst record in the majors at 34-78.ZOBRIST RETURNSZobrist, who hit .303 with two home runs in 16 postseason games for the Royals in 2015, was back in Kansas City for the first time since the club won the World Series. He received a standing ovation before his first at-bat.ROYALS LONG TRIPThe Royals were home for the first time since July 25, after a 3-7, three-city, 11-day trip to New York Pete Rose Jersey , Chicago and Minnesota. It included a rainout in New York, which was made up with a day-night doubleheader, plus two rain delays in Minnesota. “It seemed like it was a year,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.TRAINER’S ROOMCubs: 3B Kris Bryant (left shoulder inflammation) threw before the game for the first since going on the disabled list on July 24. “It was good to get him out there doing some baseball stuff. It was good for him and for his head, too,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s no regress, but there’s no finish lines attached.” … RHPs Brandon Morrow (right biceps inflammation) and Yu Darvish (right triceps tendinitis) played catch before the game. Darvish is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday.Royals: OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) took batting practice. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Mike Montgomery, who was a 2008 Royals’ first-round pick, starts the middle game of the series.Royals: Rookie RHP Brad Keller is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts since moving into the rotation on May 30.
an argument could be made that their http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/myles-garrett-jersey respective lineups would be one of the best in recent baseball history.A move to the Dodgers would put Harper close to his childhood home of Las Vegas, and it would hand the Dodgers yet another massive piece in their lineup as they push for the elusive championship.Joining up with the Phillies or Braves would mark a huge leap forward in the development process of both franchises, as Harper would be the centerpiece of a young core on both rosters.Of course, there's always a chance Harper returns to the Nationals, but each of the five teams mentioned above have more intriguing rosters than the Nats at this point in time. Manny MachadoUnlike Harper, Machado will participate in the postseason after he was traded to the Dodgers from the Baltimore Orioles.Machado will be in the news as much as Harper throughout the offseason, as he too could change the course of a certain franchise.Although he prefers shortstop, Machado is open to playing third base for a team that has an established shortstop, per Fancred's Jon Heyman.Ross D. Franklin/Associated PressThe market for Machado will obviously grow in the coming months, but his potential suitors are starting to come out of the woodwork.According to Heyman Authentic Myles Garrett Jersey , the St. Louis Cardinals could be a major player for Machado in the offseason, but Heyman previously reported the Yankees are Machado's preferred destination.The Yankees have an allure few franchises in the world can match, and if Machado's heart is set on a return to the AL East, the Yankees will find a way to make it happen.Other teams like the Phillies could easily jump into the Machado market, but for now, it's less developed because he could play up to an extra month of baseball.Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90. NEW YORK (AP) — The baseball players’ association made the second high-profile addition to its staff in a less than a month, hiring Gary Sheffield business lawyer Xavier James as deputy chief operating officer.James will report to Kevin McGuiness, the union’s chief operating officer since January 2014. James has worked as a special adviser to the union and received $215,168 from it in 2017 Jarvis Landry Jersey Elite , according to the union’s financial disclosure statement.Last week, the union announced Bruce Meyer as its new senior director of collective bargaining and legal. Meyer will report directly to union head Tony Clark, who appears to be reforming his senior management ahead of bargaining for a labor contract to replace the deal that expires after the 2021 season. Some players have criticized the free-agent markets under the current five-year agreement.James, who turns 51 on Sept. 23, is a former attorney at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, where Meyer also worked. James has undergraduate, law and business degrees from NYU, and also has worked with boxers and other athletes.A resident of suburban White Plains, James said Wednesday he was introduced to Sheffield more than a decade ago after he wrote a letter for DeLeon http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/jarvis-landry-jersey , the outfielder’s wife, in a matter with a swimming pool contractor. He had known DeLeon Sheffield through a mutual friend.“Players are not necessarily getting their equitable piece of the pie in terms of all the business revenue that’s out there,” James said. “On the operations side, the organization is so small that it behooves everyone to kind of pitch in to make sure from a business perspective players are treated fairly.”James anticipates negotiating deals alongside McGuiness and Tim Slavin, the union’s chief of business affairs and licensing senior counsel.“I think there’s a lot of revenue that’s out there that could be leveraged on behalf of the players, a lot of opportunity that could be originated by players that will generate revenue,” James said, referring to sponsors and licensees.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred criticized Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, a two-time AL MVP, in July for failing to do enough to market himself.“Mike’s a great Authentic Jarvis Landry Jersey , great player and a really nice person, but he’s made certain decisions about what he wants to do and what he doesn’t want to do, and how he wants to spend his free time and how he doesn’t want to spend his free time,” Manfred said before the All-Star Game.Trout responded with a statement “everything is cool between the commissioner and myself.”“I think it behooves everyone to pitch in to market players. The onus shouldn’t be on players necessarily. I think it’s a collective effort,” James said. “I think the macro issue is a real issue, which is how best can we market players, and I think that issue is right to be raised. I don’t think there should be any criticism or a focus on any particular player. I think we should put our heads together to see how we can resolve quote-unquote the problem and ameliorate the marketing of players.”
TOKYO (AP) — Frank White Jersey , including a three-run homer, and J.T. Realmuto also went deep to lead the MLB All-Stars over Japan 7-3 on Sunday for their first win of the six-game exhibition series after a pair of defeats.Realmuto hit an opposite-field solo homer to right in the fourth at Tokyo Dome, and Mitch Haniger scored the go-ahead run from second in a four-run fifth when Japan starter Shinsaburo Tawata threw wildly for an error on Whit Merrifield’s bunt.One out later http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-joakim-soria-jersey , Molina chased Tawata with an opposite-field, three-run homer to right for a 5-1 lead. The nine-time Gold Glove catcher picked off Seiji Uebayashi in the fourth inning.“I felt like Yadi’s pick at first was huge,” MLB manager Don Mattingly said. “We got in a little bit of a jam Kelvin Herrera Jersey , pitch count is starting to climb, then Yadi’s pick.”Rookie Juan Soto hit a fly ball in the fourth that was headed for the seats but hit the roof and was caught by right fielder Shogo Akiyama. Soto also hit the roof in Thursday’s warmup game against the Yomiuri Giants.Winner Scott Barlow allowed one run and five hits in 4 1/3 innings and 65 pitches, striking out four.Eugenio Suarez hit an RBI double over Seiji Uebayashi in left in a two-run seventh http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-alcides-escobar-jersey , then scored on Haniger’s single to open a 7-1 lead.“Having Yadi back there makes my life a lot easier,” Barlow said. “I trust him very much and I trusted my defense as well. Not being afraid of contact and letting them run down balls and make their plays.”Hotaka Yamakawa and Ryosuke Kikuchi hit run-scoring doubles in the ninth against John Brebbia. Tawata took the loss.The teams play Tuesday at Hiroshima, then conclude the following two days at Nagoya. PHOENIX (AP) Left-hander Jake Diekman went from one clubhouse to the other in Arizona after being dealt by the Texas Rangers to the Diamondbacks just before the non-waiver trade deadline Tuesday.Diekman struck out two while pitching the ninth inning for Texas in its win at Arizona on Monday night. Diekman was 1-1 with a 3.69 ERA in a team-high 47 appearances for the Rangers this season.Texas got right-hander Wei-Chieh (Way-Jay) Huang and a player to be named later from Diamondbacks. Huang was assigned to Double-A Frisco.Arizona designated left-hander Jorge De La Rosa for assignment.Diekman was the fourth pitcher traded by the Rangers in the past two weeks. Lefty starter Cole Hamels and reliever Jesse Chavez were sent to the Chicago Cubs in separate deals earlier this month Jason Hammel Jersey , and closer Keone Kela was traded to Pittsburgh late Monday night.—
LOS ANGELES (AP) — want some more time to consider their possible future together.The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and the team agreed to extend the deadline on his opt-out decision by 40 hours until 1 p.m. PDT Friday.The team made the announcement a couple hours before the initial 9 p.m. PDT deadline Thursday.Kershaw can opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract to become a free agent for the first time in an 11-year big league career spent entirely with the Dodgers. They drafted him in 2006.If he opts out David Peralta Jersey , he could negotiate with any team, including the Dodgers.He signed a $215 million, seven-year contract in January 2014 that calls for salaries of $32 million next year and $33 million in 2020.Kershaw was 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA this season.At 30, he remains one of baseball’s premier pitchers. But the left-handed ace had two separate stints on the disabled list for the fourth time in five years this season, and his fastball velocity has decreased.Despite all of his individual accolades, the seven-time All-Star has yet to win a World Series. The Dodgers lost in the Fall Classic for the second straight year, falling 4-1 to Boston on Sunday.Kershaw lost Games 1 and 5 against the Red Sox, and he is 9-10 with a 4.32 in the postseason in his career, including 1-4 with a 6.06 ERA in elimination games. He is 153-69 record with a 2.39 ERA during the regular season. ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Azaria attended a baseball game at Turner Field a few seasons ago.He can’t believe what it’s become.“I don’t even recognize it,” Azaria said incredulously http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-deven-marrero-jersey , glancing out on the former ballpark now known as Georgia State Stadium. Even though it was converted to college football after the Atlanta Braves left for the suburbs , the stadium worked just fine as the stand-in for a fictional Florida spring training site in Azaria’s IFC show “Brockmire.” In it, he portrays a tart-tongued baseball announcer trying to recapture his former glory after a failed marriage, a very public meltdown and struggles with addiction.“You’ve gotta put a lot of fake palm trees everywhere,” quipped Maurice Marable, who came aboard as director in the second season. “If you tell the audience they’re in Florida, they’ll believe you.”The first two seasons were a no-holds-barred look at what happens to Azaria’s character, popular Kansas City announcer Jim Brockmire, when he learns of his wife’s serial infidelity. He has a profanity-laced breakdown right in the booth, which leads to a decade-long descent into pretty much every vice known to man.While Brockmire revolves largely around Azaria’s ample comedic skills Clay Buchholz Jersey , it took a very dark turn in Season 2. Brockmire dealt with the death of his horrific father and an increasingly reckless lifestyle of booze, pills and powder that culminates in a near-fatal game of Russian roulette.“This is a comedy?” Marable remembered asking when approached about the series. “But the thing about comedy for me is that I tend to gravitate toward comedy that is really based in something, that is based and grounded in something that’s real. The idea of following a character — especially Jim Brockmire, who’s in a constant journey of redemption of some sort — it just has to feel real. Funny comes from real pain. Funny comes from real awkward situations.”After being renewed for two additional eight-episode seasons, Azaria & Co. arrived in Georgia to film at various sites in the Atlanta area. Season 3 will begin airing on IFC in April.The show has already filmed at SunTrust Park, the new home of the Braves, as well as minor-league parks in nearby Macon and Rome. Historic Oakland Cemetery, where Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell are buried, was passed off as a cemetery in New Orleans — where, on the show Andrew Chafin Jersey , Brockmire earns a shot to get back to the big leagues with a gig at a Triple-A club. French Quarter revelry was depicted in suburban Conyers. It wasn’t much of a stretch to transform Georgia State Stadium into King Venom Vape Cartridge Stadium, Oakland’s fictional spring training home set in central Florida.Joel Church-Cooper, who developed the show after hooking up with Azaria to shoot a “Funny Or Die” short in 2010, was incredulous that the Braves abandoned a stadium that was only two decades old . In a fitting twist, he reveals that the third season of “Brockmire” allowed him to take a jab at spending billions of dollars in public money on sports venues.“Don’t get me started,” said Church-Cooper, wearing a vintage Boston Braves cap. “They could’ve fixed this place up and made it fantastic.”Azaria, an avid New York sports fan, based his character on former Big Apple broadcasters Bob Murphy and Phil Rizzuto.“I always thought that this was a funny way for a human being to express himself, especially if he wasn’t in the booth Darryl Strawberry Jersey ,” Azaria said, morphing into his Jim Brockmire voice. “Is he always talking like this? What’s happening? I tried for many years to find a comedic premise that would work.”A potential movie deal fell through, and it was tough finding a network that would green-light a series based around baseball.“There was a lot of reticence from a lot other networks because, let’s face it, the demographics of baseball are bad,” Church-Cooper said. “The average baseball viewer is a white man who’s 58. That’s tough if you make money in the entertainment business if that’s your average viewer.”Azaria has promoted the show on MLB Network and lined up numerous figures associated with the game for guest-starring spots, including Joe Buck, Bob Costas and Hall of Famer George Brett.But Major League Baseball has been reluctant to fully embrace “Brockmire,” which is not really surprising given the strong language, rampant alcohol and drug use http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-jacob-degrom-jersey , and all the tawdry shenanigans that were such a big part of the first two seasons. That forced producers to tread lightly to avoid the legal wrath of MLB; for example, actual team nicknames are only hinted at but never used.Church-Cooper considers that an opportunity missed.“One of the reasons baseball is struggling with the younger demographic is because it does seem very stodgy, does seem to hold very tight to traditions and the way things used to be,” he said. “You know, everyone who works on the show loves baseball. I think that comes through even as we sort of tweak it, even though a central tenant as we go along in the show is that baseball is dying. We don’t want it to die. That’s one of the reasons we made the show.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — with play-by-play announcer Charley Steiner http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-jimmy-foxx-jersey , who will work a reduced schedule in 2019 at his request.The team said Monday the deal extends through the 2021 season. Steiner, who is 69, is entering his 15th season with the Dodgers.Steiner says he’s trying to keep pace with Father Time, Mother Nature and the road, all of which he points out have “never lost a battle.”The Dodgers have hired Tim Neverett to handle play-by-play for an unspecified number of games on SportsNet LA while TV announcer Joe Davis works national assignments and on AM 570 radio while Steiner is off.Neverett worked the last three years as the radio play-by-play voice of the Boston Red Sox, who beat the Dodgers in the World Series in October.Previously, the 52-year-old announcer spent seven years as the radio and TV voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Neverett had other broadcasting jobs in Denver Darren Daulton Jersey , including with the Rockies, and in Las Vegas, where he called games for the Dodgers’ and San Diego Padres’ Triple-A teams. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi loved what he started in Boston — emphasis on started.“There were a lot of teams that reached out, wanted me to be a closer,” he said. “I view myself as a starter, and that’s something I’ve always done my entire career. And I enjoy doing that. So if I had that choice, I still wanted to be a starter.”After shifting to the bullpen for three World Series relief appearances http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-maikel-franco-jersey , including an epic 97-pitch outing in an 18-inning loss , Eovaldi decided last week to stay with the Red Sox for a $68 million, four-year contract .“I can’t wait to see him again with us. He’s going to be a huge part of this rotation,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday during a winter meetings news conference. “He’s a workaholic.”Eovaldi averaged nearly 98 mph with his fastball during the regular season but reached 100 mph six times in the first two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, not needing to hold back. That velocity intrigued teams as he became a free agent.Before October, Eovaldi’s career was most notable for a pair of Tommy John surgeries. Acquired from Tampa Bay in July , the 28-year-old right-hander beat the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the Division Series Tim McCarver Jersey , then defeated Houston in the third game of the League Championship Series and got four outs as a bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel in the Game 5 finale.Transformed to a setup man, Eovaldi twice pitched perfect eighth innings as Boston took a 2-0 World Series lead against the Dodgers.He entered Game 3 at the start of the 12th inning, Boston’s ninth pitcher of the game. Ace Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz were the only remaining arms available.Eovaldi kept going, allowing Yasiel Puig’s tying single in the 13th and Max Muncy’s leading home run in the 18th, which gave the Dodgers a 3-2 win. Eovaldi’s effort became an emotional rallying point for the Red Sox, who won the next two nights for their fourth title in 15 seasons.“The conversations in between innings, they were cool Pete Rose Jersey ,” Cora said. “I remember the last one, when I asked him: How are you feeling? He said, ‘Let me finish it.’ He said it with a lot of conviction. I knew he was good.”Cora also remembered Eovaldi’s arrival at the Dodger Stadium breakfast room the next day.“He said he was ready for it that night — not that I was going to use him, of course. I’m not that stupid,” Cora said.Boston’s projected rotation includes Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-dave-hollins-jersey , Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez. Sale and Porcello can become free agents after next season.“It’s going to be a juggling act over the next several of years,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “We know we’re not going to be able to sign everybody, but the more stability that’s out there, the better off we are.”
reportedly generating widespread interest on theMLBfree-agent market after seven years with the Houston Astros.On Thursday http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-trevor-hoffman-jersey ,Jon Heymanof Fancred reported "everyone but one team" has checked on the versatile veteran.Gonzalez posted a .247/.324/.409 triple-slash line with 16 home runs across 145 appearances for the 'Stros during the 2018 season. His .733 OPS was right in line with his career average (.737), but it marked a 174-point drop from the .907 in his breakout 2017 campaign.The 29-year-old Venezuela native's value goes beyond his typically solid numbers at the plate, though.Gonzalez played every position on the diamond besides catcher and pitcher this past season. His most common spot was left field with 73 games played, but he also made at least 20 appearances apiece at first base (24), second base (32) and shortstop (39).His ability to make an impact while hitting lower in the order, combined with his unique fielding prowess (nine errors in 2018), has apparently led to quite the free-agent sweepstakes.In June 2017, Astros manager AJ Hinch praised Gonzalez for his all-around contributions and explained how that helped with his lineup decisions Evan Longoria Jersey , perJorge L. OrtizofUSA Today."He's an absolute dream for a manager," Hinch said. "As far as the versatile, all-everything, Swiss army knife, whenever I have a question on what I should do, the answer is usually, 'Marwin can do it.' And I've used him accordingly."The Astros now face an uphill battle if they want to keep him on their star-studded roster, though. The Miami Marlins agreed to trade veteran reliever Brad Ziegler tothe Arizona Diamondbacksahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline Andrew McCutchen Jersey , USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported.The 38-year-old is1-5 with a3.98 ERA and 1.269 WHIPthis season. He's recorded10saves but was replaced byKyle Barraclough as the Marlins' closer.Ziegler also spent six years with the Diamondbacks from 2011 to 2016 and had a2.49 ERA in 348 appearances.The veteran righty is in the final year of a contract that's paying him $9 million in 2018. He struggled to start the 2018 season, but he has allowed just three earned runs in 29 appearances between June and July. The Diamondbacks will hope that trend continues during the stretch run.Earlier this year, Ziegler began making an adjustment to his delivery in hopes of seeing better performance. He's been nearly lights out ever since, lowering his ERA more than three runs since the beginning of June. The return to form led to trade rumors with the Marlins well out of the playoff picture and Ziegler nearing the end of his career."I have no control over it, so you know, if it happens it happens," Ziegler said, per Mike Persakof the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "If not http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-tony-watson-jersey , I鈥檓 happy here. I like the guys here. I think we're starting to do something really good here, and I like being part of the beginning of it."Ziegler won't be under much pressure inArizona. It will likely look to him for some seventh- and eighth-inning work and didn't give up an elite prospect.As they make an attempt for a pennant push, though, adding Ziegler will likely be a boost for the Diamondbacks if he can keep up his recent strong performances.
their present and future.Left-hander Marco Gonzales Marcus Stroman Jersey , who has a team-leading 12 victories, was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his turn through the rotation was skipped to give him extra rest.He is set to return Wednesday afternoon when the Mariners play host to the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series.Article continues below ...The Mariners remain in the American League West race and are battling for one of the two wild-card berths, but also realize Gonzales is likely to have a prominent role beyond 2018.Though Gonzales is 12-8 with a 3.91 ERA, he’s 0-3 with a 7.94 ERA in his three starts this month. Plus http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-devon-travis-jersey , he’s already pitched 142 2/3 innings after throwing 40 in 2017. He had Tommy John surgery in 2016.“The main objective is to have a strong finish and not be crawling across the finish line at the end of the year,” Gonzales told MLB.com. “In that aspect and that lens, I’m taking it as a positive. Obviously I’m a competitor. I take it as a challenge to go out and have a strong start on Wednesday. I’m looking forward to the test.”Mariners manager Scott Servais said the extra rest for Gonzales is “something we’ve talked about for a while now.” “We gave him a pretty good break at the All-Star break. We’ll give him a couple extra days here and then we have some off days coming up, so he’ll get a couple extra days between his next start,” Servais said. “So we have a span of about 20 days where he’ll make three starts instead of four.”Gonzales said he believes his recent struggles have to do with command with his fastball and are not because he’s tiring.But he said he understood the decision to skip a start.“At the end of the day http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-roy-halladay-jersey , we want to win,” he said. “So as far as taking into account what it will take me to get quality starts, I think just resetting some things and coming back with a strong start after a couple days of rest, that’s good for everybody. They have my best interest in mind. I’m not taking this as they don’t believe in me or anything like that. It’s collectively, let’s figure out how we win games late in the year.”Gonzales is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Astros. In the only previous start against them Dalton Pompey Jersey , Gonzales suffered a 9-2 loss April 19 in Houston when he gave up three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Astros are scheduled to start right-hander Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.78 ERA). Morton is 3-3 with a 3.16 ERA in seven career starts against Seattle, including 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts this season.Morton has not had a win since July 31. He allowed four hits and two runs in five innings in his most recent start, a 4-3 loss to Oakland on Friday, a game in which Morton did not get a decision.The Astros got reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve back from the disabled list Tuesday http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-roberto-osuna-jersey , though outfielder George Springer missed his second consecutive game with a sore left quadriceps.Altuve said he was glad to be back after missing 21 games with a sore right knee. It was his first time on the disabled list in his eight-year career.“I’m excited,” Altuve told MLB.com. “This is a great team. I know you guys know I love every single part about this team and the way they play. We’re in first place and most likely we’re going to be in the playoffs, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates, and I just want to be a part of this.” NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets have signed reliever Arquimedes Caminero and outfielder Rymer Liriano to minor league contracts, adding depth in two areas where New York appeared thin.The team announced the moves Thursday Roberto Alomar Jersey , saying both players were invited to major league spring training.Caminero spent the past two seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. The 31-year-old righty was 1-1 with 11 saves and a 5.79 ERA over 20 games last year before having elbow surgery. He is pitching this offseason in the Dominican Winter League and had thrown five scoreless innings.Caminero had 29 saves and 65 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings for the Yomiuri Giants in 2017. He is 7-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 149 big league games with Pittsburgh, Miami and Seattle.The 27-year-old Liriano is a .220 career hitter with two home runs in 59 major league games with the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He spent last season in Triple-A, batting a combined .253 with 20 homers, 59 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 102 games for Salt Lake and Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League.
Buster Posey announced Friday he's set to undergo season-ending surgery on his hip Monday. The procedure comes with a six- to eight-month recovery timetable."So if things go smoothly with no hiccups Chris Archer Jersey , I'll be ready to go next Opening Day," Posey said, via Chris Haft of MLB.com.The 31-year-old Georgia native missed three of the Giants' past six games because of the injury.San Francisco has struggled to remain on the fringe of playoff contention. Its 63-67 record leaves it nine games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West and the same amount behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second wild-card spot."You don't want to say you're out of it until you're out of it," Posey said. "But unfortunately, where we are, I think it makes the most sense to get this taken care of."The Florida State product will finish the 2018 season with a .284/.359/.382 triple-slash line and five home runs across 105 appearances.Nick Hundley will get a lion's share of the starts behind the dish for the Giants moving forward.Posey, who's resume includes three World Series titles, the 2012 NL MVP Award and six All-Star Game selections, will be in a race against time to get ready for the 2019 campaign.If he's ready by the beginning of the timeline, he'd miss only a small portion of spring training, but if it takes the full recovery period Kevin Kiermaier Jersey , he'd miss the first month of the regular season. MIAMI (AP) — Javy Guerra kept closer Kyle Barraclough’s struggles from costing Miami a victory Monday night.Guerra cleaned up a ninth-inning mess created by Barraclough, getting Yadier Molina to hit into a double play to end the Marlins‘ 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.“It was important to be ready,” Guerra said. “I think overall I went in there prepared and got the right results. It went well.”After Wei-Yin Chen (4-8) pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-hit ball, Miami led 2-0 going into the ninth and handed the game off to Barraclough.Paul DeJong and Harrison Bader opened the inning with hard-hit singles, then Yairo Munoz walked. Pinch-hitter Kolten Wong struck out looking, but Matt Carpenter drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-1 and end Barraclough’s night.“Carp works the walk and then you’ve got the guy that you want up there every night in that situation with Yadi,” Cardinals interim manager Mike Shildt said.Guerra got Molina, a career .309 hitter with the bases loaded, to bounce into a double play for his first save since Sept. 27, 2014 while with the Chicago White Sox.“He saved (21 of 22) games for me in LA (in 2011),” Mattingly said. “I’ve seen him be in bases-loaded jams with nobody out and get out of them http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-alex-cobb-jersey , so I know he’s a guy who’s not going to panic in that spot.”Barraclough had blown his last three save chances, allowing 10 runs in 2 1/3 innings.His role could be in jeopardy.“I think he’s healthy,” Mattingly said. “If he’s not healthy, he’s not telling us, which I don’t think is the case, but it’s something that obviously you’re not going to sit here and make any kind of decisions quickly after a game. We just won a game and we wouldn’t do anything without talking to him about it anyway.”Starlin Castro had two hits, including his ninth home run for the Marlins, who returned home after a six-game winless road trip.Former Miami All-Star Marcell Ozuna returned for his first game at Marlins Park after being traded to St. Louis in the offseason and went 3 for 4 tying his season-high with hits in a game.“It was good to see Marcie come home,” Shildt said. “He was happy to get home. He felt good about it. He likes it here and it was good to see he was received warmly as you would expect.”Luke Weaver (6-10) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings for St. Louis.Derek Dietrich doubled to begin the game for the Marlins and scored on a check-swing hit by Brian Anderson.Castro’s home run to left in the fourth gave Miami a 2-0 lead.With one on and one out in the seventh, Munoz grinded out a 14-pitch at-bat, but Tayron Guerrero prevailed with a groundout. Pinch-hitter Greg Garcia struck out to end the inning.Ozuna beat out an infield hit in the eighth Wade Boggs Jersey , giving Jedd Gyorko an at-bat with runners on first and second with two outs. Drew Steckenrider was able to get out of the jam as Gyorko flew out to deep center.OZUNA TRIBUTEOzuna was given a video tribute during the game, and he tipped his cap to acknowledge the appreciation.“That was impressive for me,” Ozuna said. “I didn’t even know they were going to do that for me. I appreciated it.”CHEN STRONG AT HOMEChen improved to 3-2 with a 1.94 ERA in nine home starts this season compared to 1-6 with a 10.27 ERA in nine road starts.“He never looks really any different at home or the road, it’s just that he’s pitched so much better here and that’s really the only difference,” Mattingly said. “You see his work, you see his preparation, it’s no different. It’s not like he’s serious here and then he goes on the road and he’s yucking it up and not taking it serious.”TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: OF Tyler O’Neill (groin) was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 4. … RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) is planning on throwing a bullpen session either Tuesday or Wednesday.Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (armpit) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.UP NEXTCardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (11-3, 2.75 ERA) is scheduled to start the second game of the series Tuesday night. Mikolas has allowed three runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts.Marlins: RHP Pablo Lopez (2-2, 4.67) allowed one run in six innings his last start, a no-decision at Philadelphia.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — for the Milwaukee Brewers after they fell a game short of the World Series.Milwaukee is set to return most of its roster after winning the NL Central in a tiebreaking 163rd game and pushing the Dodgers to Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain headline the group http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-yoan-moncada-jersey , with Ryan Braun, Travis Shaw, Jesus Aguilar and Orlando Arcia all under contract, too. That gives Milwaukee’s general manager reason for optimism long-term.“Those are players that performed on a big stage in October and have the ability to continue performing as Brewers in the future,” Stearns said. “We genuinely believe we are set up to succeed going forward.”Stearns also pointed to an abundance of young pitching. Rookie right-handers Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta pitched well down the stretch, and Woodruff and Burnes played crucial roles in the postseason. All three will be in the mix for a rotation spot with Jhoulys Chacin, Zach Davies and Chase Anderson. The wild card for that unit is Jimmy Nelson, a breakout ace in 2017 who missed all of this season following surgery on his right shoulder.The Brewers’ bullpen 1-2 punch of Josh Hader and Corey Knebel are also under team control for years to come.“We certainly like our numbers and we do feel we have depth at that position,” Stearns said. “We’re always going to look to get better. We’re always going to look to improve. But we think we have a number of high-upside, high-quality arms who are continuing to improve Welington Castillo Jersey , and some who are entering that sweet spot in their careers. That’s fun for us to see.”The team has just three free agents — late-season acquisitions Wade Miley, Gio Gonzalez and Curtis Granderson. Miley was a major contributor, going 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 16 starts during the regular season and then pitching masterfully in the postseason.Mike Moustakas and Joakim Soria have mutual options for $15 and $10 million, respectively, and Jeremy Jeffress and Jordan Lyles have club options for 2018.Moustakas seemed a strange fit when Milwaukee acquired him from Kansas City prior to the trade deadline because the team already had Shaw entrenched at third base. But Shaw held his own after moving to second, and Moustakas came through with some timely postseason hits after delivering eight homers, 33 RBIs and a .767 OPS in the regular season.“There is a reason why he has the reputation he has as a big game player,” Stearns said. “We’re happy to have him.”Jonathan Schoop didn’t fare as well after he was acquired from Baltimore. He batted .202 with four home runs and 21 RBIs for Milwaukee and went hitless with three strikeouts in eight postseason plate appearances.Schoop is still under team control for next season, but after earning $8.5 million in 2018, he might be a non-tender candidate.“He has had really impressive stretches throughout his career, and unfortunately for both him and us http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-cliff-pennington-jersey , we didn’t see one of those stretches when he was a Brewer,” Stearns said. “We’ll sit down to see if we can determine why, and then we’ll go forward.” TORONTO — The Tampa Bay Rays have had their way with the Toronto Blue Jays this season.They defeated the Blue Jays 7-1 Monday in the opener of a three-game series at the Rogers Centre and lead the season series 8-2.The Rays (74-63) will try to keep that mastery going Tuesday in the second game of the series when they will start right-hander Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.72 ERA) while the Blue Jays (62-75) will start left-hander Ryan Borucki (3-3, 4.52).Article continues below ...Stanek will be starting for the second game in a row and for the 23rd time this season. Tuesday will be the 42nd time this season that the Rays will use a reliever to start a game, or what has become known as an opener. Then manager Kevin Cash will bring in a pitcher who can go a bit longer. Or, as in the case Monday, much longer.After Stanek pitched a perfect first inning Monday, Yonny Chirinos took over and allowed one run in seven innings to earn the win.“When he’s going good that’s kind of what we’ve seen, very, very efficient Joey Votto Jersey ,” Cash said of Chirinos.It was the right-hander’s sixth consecutive relief appearance of five or more innings, which is tied for second in major league history.Chirinos gave up two walks and an RBI single in his first inning, requiring 25 pitches, then he settled down and used only 47 pitches for his final six innings.Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman allowed six hits and four runs in 1 2/3 innings Monday. It was his first start since Aug. 17 because he had been on the disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger. It was still bothering him Monday.“It’s clearly affecting him and bothering him,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.Borucki has never faced the Rays. He is coming off a 4 2/3 innings no-decision start against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday when he allowed five hits and five runs in a 10-5 loss.The Blue Jays have won only twice in their past eight games, while the Rays have won 12 of their past 14 games. They are now 11 games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2013 season at 92-71.“It’s been fun,” Cash said.Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are batting only .175 against the Rays this season, their lowest against any team.Both teams have taken advantage of the expanded rosters for the final month of the season.The Rays selected catcher Nick Ciuffo, their No. 25-ranked prospect, from Triple-A Durham and he made his major league debut Monday night’s game and went 0-for-4 with a run scored.Rays catcher Adam Moore was placed on the restricted list due to improper documentation for his passport http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-brandon-finnegan-jersey , making room for Ciuffo on the 40-man roster.The Rays also will recall right-hander Jake Faria on Tuesday.Outfielder Mallex Smith (viral infection) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Monday and was 1-for-5 with an RBI. He also used his speed in right field to cut off a potential extra-base hit by Billy McKinney and keep it to a single in the sixth inning. That proved valuable when the next batter, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., grounded into a double play.The Blue Jays have already called up relievers Mark Leiter Jr., Jose Fernandez and Taylor Guerrieri — all of whom pitched Monday — as well as Sean Reid-Foley, who struck out 10 in earning his first major league win Sunday in Miami.“I thought they all did very well,” Gibbons said.There will be more players called up this week.“There’ll be a few,” Gibbons said. “Some of them will come (Tuesday).”The Triple-A Buffalo Bisons’ season ended Monday and they missed the playoffs. That could mean that outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. and infielder Richard Urena will be called up soon.
BALTIMORE (AP) — for the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday with an informal sendoff for five-time All-Star Adam Jones Lance McCullers Jersey , another veteran who seemingly has no place on a rebuilding team in the process of a major reboot.Although the endless string of defeats has mercifully ended, the goodbyes will likely extend into the offseason.“Now that the season is over,” Jones said, “the next chapter starts.”The 33-year-old was talking about his status as a pending free agent, but the sentiment applies to the Orioles.The status of manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette remains up in the air, and the rookie-filled roster that struggled through September is sure to change.Halfway into the worst season in Orioles history, Duquette began the overhaul by trading Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Jonathan Schoop, Kevin Gausman, Darren O’Day and Brad Brach for 15 minor league prospects and International signing bonus slot money.A team-record 15 players made their major league debut this season, and all that inexperience was one of many reasons why Baltimore finished 47-115, 61 games behind AL East champion Boston.There’s no telling when the rebuild will begin to yield victories.“You don’t put a timetable on it. You try to do it as fast as you can http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-mike-scott-jersey ,” Showalter said. “But you’ve got to do it with your nose down, and grind each day. You might be surprised where you stand when those days are behind you.”Some things to know about the Orioles as they head into an important offseason:NEVER SAW IT COMINGPerhaps the most depressing aspect of the season is that the Orioles thought they would be contenders.The addition of starters Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner, along with a power-laden lineup led by Machado and Schoop, led to unfulfilled optimism.Baltimore opened 5-14 and was 8-20 by the end of April.“We got on a losing roll and it kind of snowballed,” pitcher Dylan Bundy said. “Then May came and it wasn’t any better. Around the First of May I realized it wasn’t going to be the year we thought it was, the year we hoped for or the year we planned for in the spring.”DAVIS A DUDFirst baseman Chris Davis, like the Orioles, had a historically awful season.He batted .168, worst average by a qualifier in major league history, and struck out 192 times in 128 games.The former slugger is in the midst of a $161 contract that extends through 2022. That makes him tough to trade and leaves the Orioles little option but to hope he finds his stroke.PATIENCE REQUIREDThe Astros won the World Series last year after going through a similar rebuild. The key, says Astros manager A.J. Hinch, is that you can’t rush it.“Patience is always key,” Hinch said. “Finding great players is paramount Alex Bregman Jersey , and continuing to form their plan, develop their plan and execute it.“I know what it feels like when it works, and it’s worth it. But it can reach some tough moments while you’re trying to evaluate players, while you’re trying to rebuild it.”RAY OF HOPEOrioles catcher Caleb Joseph watched a bunch of rookies come up from the minors and was encouraged by their potential.“There’s some young talent in this clubhouse, and if you get everybody on the same page and start working towards our specific goal you can grow a nice little franchise here with the talent that we have,” Joseph said.Example: Rookie right-hander David Hess went 3-10, but in his final outing he pitched seven innings of three-hit ball against Houston.“I think the experience in itself goes a really long way,” Hess said. “You always hear coming up that you can’t really mimic the big leagues at any other level. That definitely proved true.” The biggest question of the offseason is a two-parter.1. Will Clayton Kershaw opt out of the final two years and $65 million of his contract?2. If he does opt out, will he consider signing elsewhere, or will it just be to get more years from the Dodgers?He did little to put Dodgers fans minds at ease with his recent comments."I would be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind," Kershaw told reporters when asked if he had thought at all about how he may have made his last home start at Dodger Stadium.The chances are he'll opt out, as the security that comes with adding a few years' worth of guaranteed money will be too appealing to pass up.It's hard to envision the free-spending Dodgers letting their homegrown star get away, but there's always the possibility that someone makes him an offer he can't refuse.Another postseason that doesn't end in a World Series title could also convince the 30-year-old that his best chance of winning atitle may be elsewhere.We shall see.Prediction:Kershaw opts out Carlos Beltran Jersey , re-signs on a five-year, $175 million deal with the Dodgers.Patrick CorbinMatthew Stockman/Getty ImagesIt's been a breakout season for Patrick Corbin.An All-Star for the second time in his career, he's gone 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 242 strikeouts (3rd in NL) in 195 innings for 4.4 WAR.The 29-year-old picked the perfect time for a career year. A case can be made he's the top starting pitching option on the market if Kershaw decides to stay put.So which team is the early favorite to sign him?As a Syracuse native, Corbin grew up a Yankees fan, and it sounds like he's open to the idea of donning pinstripes."It would definitely be great to play there," Corbin told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "I grew up a Yankee fan. My whole family are Yankee fans. My mom, my dad, my grandpa, everybody. Really, every generation of my family has been Yankee fans.I know the Yankees have had some interest in the past, and there were a lot of rumors this winter that got my family excited. It would have been cool."With J.A. Happ, CC Sabathia and Lance Lynn all headed for free agency http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-brian-mccann-jersey , the Yankees have a clear need in the rotation. It stands to reason that bolstering the starting staff will trump making a run at someone like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.Prediction:Corbin signs a four-year, $72 million deal with the Yankees. Charlie MortonStephen Brashear/Getty ImagesIf there's any player this year who might consider accepting a qualifying offer, it's Charlie Morton.The 34-year-old has become a different pitcher since joining the Houston Astros last season, going a combined 29-10 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 360 strikeouts in 310.2 innings for 5.0 WAR.He's earning just $7 million this season and has earned roughly $40.7 million over the course of his career, according to Spotrac.Morton has hinted at potentially retiring at the end of the 2018 season in the past. The chance to return for one more year and earn what figures to be a salary north of $18 million by accepting a qualifying offer could be too tempting to turn down.His decision on the future could also impact the market for Dallas Keuchel.If Morton does return, the Astros might be more inclined to let Keuchel walk in free agency. Losing both standout starters would be a tough pill to swallow for the defending champs, though.Prediction:Morton accepts a qualifying offer and returns for one more year.All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.
BALTIMORE (AP) — Friday Steve Carlton Jersey , hoping his experience as Cubs bench coach will help the team move forward while in rebuilding mode.Hyde takes over for Buck Showalter, who was fired after Baltimore finished 47-115 — the worst record in the majors. This will be Hyde’s first stint as a major league manager.The 45-year-old Hyde was selected by general manager Mike Elias, who began an extensive search for Showalter’s replacement after being hired last month to replace Dan Duquette.“I believe that we have found the ideal leader for the next era of Orioles baseball,” Elias said of Hyde.Hyde worked as Chicago’s bench coach this year under manager Joe Maddon. He was in the second of three seasons as Cubs first base coach when the team won the World Series in 2016.Before that, Hyde served as Rick Renteria’s bench coach in Chicago in 2014. He previously served as Chicago’s director of player development from August 2012 through 2013 after joining the Cubs in December 2011 as their minor league field coordinator.Prior to joining the Cubs, Hyde spent nine seasons in the Miami Marlins organization. He was Miami’s bench coach from June 2010 through the end of the 2011 season.“Brandon’s deep background in player development and major league coaching — most recently helping to shape the Cubs into a world champion — has thoroughly prepared him for this job and distinguished him throughout our interview process http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-aaron-nola-jersey ,” Elias said.Elias and Hyde will seek to develop a team that shifted into rebuild mode last July under Duquette, who traded away many of the team’s stars — most notably Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Jonathan Schoop and Kevin Gausman — for 15 prospects and International bonus pool money in moves that cut payroll from $151 million to $136 million.On the day he was introduced by Baltimore, Elias spoke about the significance of landing the right manager to shape the Orioles into a team that can be competitive in the AL East.“This is an important hire, just like this was an important hire Juan Samuel Jersey ,” Elias said on Nov. 19. “It’s not something you rush. We want to get the right person for this time.”Hyde will be formally introduced as the 20th manager in Orioles history on Monday. WASHINGTON (AP) — Peace in baseball is at hand — well, at feet.Major League Baseball and the players’ association ended a footwear flap Thursday, agreeing to loosen restrictions on the colors of spikes that may be used.Ben Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber and Steve Cishek of the Chicago Cubs wore black spikes in May despite a warning from the commissioner’s office that they were violating a regulation requiring that at least 51 percent of the exterior of a player’s shoes be the club’s designated primary shoe color. For the Cubs, that color is blue.The majority requirement was eliminated under the new agreement. Players may now wear shows with black, white Larry Andersen Jersey , any colors on the team’s uniform and additional colors approved by the team.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says “we believe that this agreement strikes the appropriate balance between the shared goal of permitting players to express their individuality while maintaining reasonable restrictions on shoe colors and designs.”The new rules take effect for next season.“Players welcome the expanded opportunity to express themselves and engage with fans through innovative design,” union head Tony Clark says.
Cole Hamels to the Chicago Cubs http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey , the Cubs announced Friday. The Rangers receive right-handed pitching prospect Rollie Lacy, right-handed reliever Eddie Butler and a player to be named later.The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant first reported the deal Thursday.Hamels has been rumored as a trade candidate for more than a year, so it's no surprise the Rangers dealt the lefty in the midst of a 42-61 season that's left them 24.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the American League West lead.Plus, Hamels is in the final guaranteed year of his contract.His 2019 salary would come on a $20 million club option, and while that figure will become fully guaranteed if he pitches 400 combined innings in 2017 and 2018, there's a $6 million buyout if he doesn't eclipse the required thresholds.Future financial considerations aside, Hamels is a quality addition with playoff experience who can provide Chicago's rotation with a boost.ESPN Stats amp; Info ESPNStatsInfoCole Hamels has made 6 starts at Wrigley Field, where hes 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA. He threw a no-hitter there in his last start with the Phillies in 2015 s14DkbfRpUThrough 20 starts in 2018, the 2008 World Series MVP and four-time All-Star has gone 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while logging a 2.71 strikeout-to-walk rate.Those numbers may not be staggering, but the Cubs are making a low-risk, high-reward move by adding Hamels to a staff that will feature Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish, once the latter returns from his triceps injury. The Cleveland Indians Kendall Graveman Jersey , with closer Cody Allen reeling, will try to regroup Saturday night in the second game of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.The AL Central-leading Indians have lost three in a row, the last of which was a crushing 5-4 defeat on Friday night, when Allen had the worst night of the worst season of his career.Allen came in to start the ninth inning, and in the span of four pitches gave up two home runs to turn a 4-3 Indians lead into a 5-4 Indians defeat.Article continues below ...Allen has saved 30 or more games in each of the last three years, and he is the Indians’ all-time leader with 147 saves, but this season has been a struggle. His blown save Friday was his fourth of the season, and he has given up a career-high 11 home runs.Cleveland manager Terry Francona said the Indians have not lost confidence in Allen.“I’ll sit down and talk to him,” Francona said. “We need him really bad to win. We can’t run away from him.”Allen’s 4.50 ERA is a career high, and a far cry from his 2.86 career mark.“It’s disappointing. But we’ll go look at it more to see if there’s anything,” Francona said. “It begins with his breaking ball, when he commands that everything falls into place. Right now, he feels like some nights he doesn’t have it.”Saturday night the Indians will send two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the mound. Kluber (16-6 http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-canseco-jersey , 2.74) will be making his 27th start of the season, and he is coming off a winning performance against the Red Sox in his last start, on Monday, in Boston. Kluber pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and nine hits with six strikeouts and one walk in a game the Indians won 5-4.In his last five starts Kluber is 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA. His last start against Kansas City came on July 2, a 9-3 victory in which he pitched six innings, allowing three runs and seven hits, with five strikeouts and no walks.In two starts against the Royals this year, Kluber is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. He has made 22 career starts against Kansas City and is 11-6 with a 2.90 ERA in those games.The Royals on Saturday will counter with right-hander Heath Fillmyer (1-1, 4.57). Fillmyer has split his season between Kansas City and Triple-A Omaha. In 13 starts with Omaha he was 4-5, with a 5.75 ERA.With Kansas City Fillmyer has been used as both a starter and a reliever. In seven starts he is 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA. In four relief appearances he has a 2.38 ERA and no record.He got his first major-league win on Aug. 8, when he pitched seven shutout innings against the Cubs in a 9-0 victory. Fillmyer struck out three and walked two in that game.“I didn’t have many strikeouts today,” Fillmyer said of the victory, according to MLB.com. “I didn’t want to walk them. I ended up having two unfortunate ones that didn’t end up costing us. That being said http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-jed-lowrie-jersey , I just let them work ahead and try to get them to get themselves out.”Saturday will be Fillmyer’s second career appearance against Cleveland. His other appearance came as a reliever, on July 4, when he pitched three scoreless and hitless innings, with two strikeouts and one walk.One of the Cleveland hitters Fillmyer will have to pay particular attention to is Indians rookie center fielder Greg Allen, who has been one of the Indians’ hottest hitters of late.From July 15 through Aug. 21, Allen had a 14-game hitting streak, the longest by a major league rookie this season. In his last 16 games Allen is hitting .383, raising his batting average from .204 to .259.“He’s using the whole field, keeping the ball out of the air to left field, staying on the ball, and hitting line drives,” said Francona.
Mickey Callaway despite the team sitting at 45-64 after Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Braves.Steven Marcus of Newsday reported the news.Callaway Michael Taylor Jersey , 43, is in his first season with the Mets after being hired last October. The Mets opened the year 11-1 but are 34-63 since, leading to some speculation that Callaway could be on the outs."Obviously everybody, as a person you think about what could happen, you know, reality of the situations http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-shawn-kelley-jersey ," Callaway told reporters this weekend. "But I always try to just go out there and approach the game and the job every day like this is going to be my job forever and try not to worry about the repercussions of us not winning games and things like that as far as it pertains to me. I'm just worried about the players, the work, do the best we can."Callaway was hired by Sandy Alderson, who took a leave of absence in June to receive treatment for cancer. The Mets are expected to hire a replacement this winter, which Marcus reported could be an outside candidate.Callaway's job is viewed as safe regardless of who the Mets hire as Alderson's replacement.The Mets' payroll, which is the 12th-highest in baseball Trea Turner Jersey , features more than $80 million worth of players currently on the disabled list. That is by far the highest number in the sport, nearly $18 million more than the San Francisco Giants.Yoenis Cespedes and David Wright account for $49 million of that total. SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants get a crack at one of the three teams ahead of them in both the National League West and wild-card races when they host the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series beginning Monday night.The Giants (65-67) responded to the loss of catcher Buster Posey to season-ending hip surgery with two straight wins over the Texas Rangers, keeping them within eight games of the Diamondbacks (72-58) in the West and eight behind the Milwaukee Brewers (73-59) for the second wild-card spot.That’s a lot of ground to make up in 30 games, but the Giants do play 21 of their final 30 against playoff contenders, giving themselves a chance to determine their own fate to a certain degree.Article continues below ...That starts with Monday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks, when the Giants will go with right-hander Chris Stratton (8-7 http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-wieters-jersey , 5.37 ERA) against Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin (10-4, 3.17).The Giants are set up with their two top pitchers — Madison Bumgarner and Dereck Rodriguez — for the final two games of the series, which places added importance on getting off on the right foot in the opener with Stratton, who returned to the San Francisco rotation last Tuesday with a strong effort against the New York Mets.The Giants lost that game 6-3, but Stratton had outpitched Steven Matz for six innings before allowing two runs in the seventh that tied the score 2-2.The Mets added four in the eighth against the Giants’ bullpen to win the game.Stratton has faced the Diamondbacks three times this season, with the results getting progressively worse.He allowed one run in seven innings of a 4-3 win in April Joe Blanton Jersey , three runs in four innings of a 5-4 win in June and six runs in three innings of a 6-3 loss earlier this month.Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta bombed Stratton for home runs in the first two innings of the Aug. 3 meeting in Arizona, after which he was removed from the starting rotation for more than two weeks before resurfacing against the Mets last week.He’s 1-2 with a 4.65 ERA in six career starts against the Diamondbacks.With Posey out of the lineup, the Giants got production from a surprise source when outfielder Steven Duggar collected five hits in the three-game series against the Rangers, including a two-run, tiebreaking triple in Sunday’s 3-1 win.Duggar went 0-for-2 with a strikeout when Corbin pitched the win over Stratton earlier this month. It was his fifth start against the Giants this season.The 29-year-old threw a one-hit shutout against the Giants in April and limited them to one run on two other occasions this season. He has gone 3-0 in the five starts, improving his lifetime record against San Francisco to 8-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 24 games Howie Kendrick Jersey , including 22 starts.Corbin can expect to see Hunter Pence in the Giants’ lineup tonight. The part-timer has hit four home runs with a .366 batting average in 45 career plate appearances against the left-hander.Coming off two losses in three games at home to the Seattle Mariners, the Diamondbacks find themselves one game up in the West on Colorado (71-59) and 2 1/2 ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers (70-61) as they begin a seven-game trip.The Diamondbacks go head-to-head with the Dodgers for four games in LA later this week.
NEW YORK (AP) — Hyun-Jin Ryu was the only player to accept among the seven given $17.9 million qualifying offers by their former teams on Nov. 2.Ryu accepted the offer before Monday’s deadline and is considered a signed player. He is just the sixth to accept among the 80 qualifying offers made since the process began in 2012.A 31-year-old left-hander http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-alcides-escobar-jersey , Ryu was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 15 starts, sidelined from May 2 to Aug. 15 by a groin injury.Among those who didn’t accept were outfielder Bryce Harper (Washington), closer Craig Kimbrel (Boston), left-handers Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Dallas Keuchel (Houston), outfielder A.J. Pollock (Arizona) and catcher Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers).If a player who turned down a qualifying offer signs a major league contract with another club before the June amateur draft, his former club will receive a draft pick as compensation at the end of the first round. BOSTON (AP) — With temperatures dipping into the 40s, numbing their fingertips as they tried to grip the baseball, Justin Verlander and Chris Sale both struggled to get the ball over the plate.Verlander recovered quickly.Sale never did.After walking in one run and giving up the tying score on a wild pitch, Verlander struck out Andrew Benintendi on a contested called third strike, and the Houston Astros pulled away to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2 on Saturday night in the AL Championship Series opener.The teams combined for just eight hits, but Red Sox pitchers walked 10 and hit three batters. Verlander walked four — tying a career postseason high, and more than he had in any outing in the regular season this year. Three of them and one of his two wild pitches came in a fifth inning that almost chased him from the game.“That inning I had kind of lost my feel a bit. Couldn’t point a finger to why,” Verlander said. “The tying run scoring was a little disappointing. … But once that happens, then you’ve got to reset and not relinquish the lead.” Verlander pitched six innings of two-hit ball Jason Hammel Jersey , and Carlos Correa fisted a single into left field to break a sixth-inning tie. Josh Reddick hit a solo homer to lead off the ninth , and Yuli Gurriel curled a three-run shot into the front row beyond the Pesky Pole to give the defending World Series champions their fifth straight postseason victory.Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night, with Boston left-hander David Price trying to end his postseason skid against Astros righty Gerrit Cole. Cora has expressed confidence in Price, a Cy Young Award winner who is 0-9 in 10 postseason starts, and the 108-win Red Sox will need him to be better than Sale was in the opener.“We’ll see tomorrow,” Boston catcher Sandy Leon said.In a rematch of last year’s Division Series opener, when the Astros hit back-to-back homers in the first inning and pounded Sale for seven runs in all, Verlander improved to 13-2 in the AL playoffs. Houston only got one hit off of Sale, but he loaded the bases with two outs in the second on two walks and a hit batter before reigning World Series MVP George Springer singled in two runs past the glove of third baseman Eduardo Nunez , who slipped as he stretched for the ball.“Anytime you get two quick outs then you load up the bases and give them two runs, that’s not what you’re looking for this time of year,” Sale said. “I just went out there and lost it for a little bit. I felt like I was battling myself for a little bit. I was trying to limit the damage and get out there as quick as we can.”The Red Sox went down in order in the second, third and fourth innings before awakening the shivering, sold-out Fenway crowd in the fifth with Steve Pearce’s single — just their second hit in the game — and two walks. Verlander walked a third batter in a row http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-jorge-soler-jersey , forcing in a run.Mookie Betts hit a hard grounder, and third baseman Alex Bregman threw home for the force and the second out . With Jackie Bradley Jr. dancing on third base, Verlander put a 1-2 curveball in the dirt and past catcher Martin Maldonado , allowing the runners to advance and tying the game 2-2.Andrew Benintendi worked the count full before looking at a 3-2 pitch that appeared to catch the edge of the zone for the third out.“You can look at it two ways,” Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts said. “They pitched their way out of it, but we didn’t hit our way into it.”Benintendi was less philosophical. He slammed down his helmet and bat down and jawed with plate umpire James Hoye before Red Sox coaches ran in to get between them. Cora continued the argument and was ejected ; he handed over his lineup card to bench coach Ron Roenicke and headed down the tunnel.“I guess Verlander executed his pitch, and he called it a strike,” Cora said. “Andrew didn’t agree. I didn’t agree. It’s a big pitch right there. It’s ball four, bases loaded. … Most likely Verlander comes out of the game.“But you can’t argue balls and strikes,” he said. “And I did.”Houston took advantage of another hit batter in the sixth — this one by reliever Joe Kelly — and Nunez’s fielding error on Gurriel’s grounder to take a 3-2 lead. Reddick and Gurriel homered off Brandon Workman.Verlander was charged with two runs and four walks while striking out six. He has allowed only nine hits in his past four postseason starts, matching Don Larsen (1955-57) as the only pitchers to allow nine hits over a span of four-postseason starts, according to STATS.“The tying run scoring was a little disappointing,” Verlander said. “But once that happens, then you’ve got to reset and not relinquish the lead.”SALE’S STRUGGLESSale http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-drew-butera-jersey , who took the mound without long sleeves on the chilly night, left after the fourth inning — his only 1-2-3 inning of the game — having thrown 86 pitches. Sale gave up two runs, one hit, four walks and a hit batter , and his average fastball velocity of 92 mph was down 3 mph from the Division Series.“I still like our chances,” he said. “We’ve got D.P. on the mound and we got a bunch of guys in here that are fired up over tonight. We’re not gonna hang our heads in the locker room. We’re not gonna give up. This is the time when we kick in gear and start fighting.”WEST HITBoston catcher Christian Vazquez hit second-base umpire Joe West on his right shoulder with a throw when Jake Marisnick stole second in the eighth.UP NEXTPrice, 16-7 in this year’s regular season, has two postseason wins in relief in his career. Cora insisted that he had faith in Price, and he told the 2012 AL Cy Young winner as much after the Red Sox eliminated the Yankees in the previous round.“Alex told me before we even got off the field that night” that he would get another start, Price said before the game. “So for him to tell me before we even took our jerseys off to put on our postseason shirts that we get when we win, that was special.”Cole was 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA in the regular season.
Jason Heyward left Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves with right hamstring tightness after he dove for a ball in the outfield.Injuries have become a problem for Heyward http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-erick-aybar-jersey , who was absent due to a concussion earlier this season and missed significant time in 2017 with finger and hand injuries.He has at least looked better on the field this year, producing a .275batting average with seven home runs.The 29-year-old has been a disappointment offensively since joining the Cubs, even when healthy. He hit just .243 with 18 total home runs inhis first two seasons after signing an eight-year deal with the club.On the plus side, he still helps out in other ways even when he isn't hitting.Heyward has been one of the best defensive fielders in the league, earningfive Gold Gloves in his career, including one in each of the past four years. And despite his offensive struggles, the veteran helped the team win the World Series in 2016.Fortunately, Chicago has plenty of replacement options thanks to its versatility. Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr. and Ben Zobrist can all rotate in the outfield to fill Heyward's role if he is forced to miss an extended period of time. DETROIT (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals needed something to get them going on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.Out of nowhere — again — a squirrel appeared.In an episode sure to revive St. Louis fans’ memories of the 2011 Rally Squirrel, this game at Comerica Park was scoreless going into the seventh inning. That’s when a squirrel took up residence between second and third base.There was a delay and Anibal Sanchez Jersey , with some prompting from the Tigers infield, the critter moved into foul territory and eventually made its escape in right field.The Cardinals wound up scoring five times in the inning and avoided a series sweep with a 5-2 victory.“I don’t think you can discount that factor,” manager Mike Shildt said. “The squirrel shows up and we score five runs. We only had six in the whole series before that.”During the 2011 NL Division Series, a squirrel cut across the diamond at Busch Stadium, running right past home plate during a game against Philadelphia. The Cards went on to win the playoff series and later the championship — their World Series rings even depicted a squirrel.“I don’t necessarily believe in superstitions like that,” said Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, who had a hit in the seventh. But he added: “Maybe you could call it the Rally Squirrel.”The Cardinals lost the first two games of the series in walk-off fashion and didn’t have a baserunner until the sixth against Michael Fulmer.St. Louis, which has a one-game lead for the second NL wild card spot, won for the third time in eight games.“You never want to get swept by anybody,” said Kolten Wong, who drove in the Cardinals’ first run. “We knew they could be dangerous Eduardo Escobar Jersey , because they have nothing to lose, and they gave us a battle. Luckily, we were able to get one.”Detroit’s four-game winning streak was snapped.John Gant (7-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six.“I knew I really needed to bear down, because we needed this game,” Gant said. “I had to go out there and give my best effort.”Carlos Martinez pitched the ninth for his second save. After the game, Shildt said Martinez will replace Bud Norris as the team’s closer.Fulmer (3-11) was perfect through five innings but only got four more outs. He allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five.“He was cruising, and then everything fell apart behind him,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We didn’t make a couple plays, we dropped a ball and they found a bunch of holes. I don’t think they hit a ball hard off him.”Fulmer fell to 0-6 in his last nine starts, with the Tigers losing all nine.“My job is to help this team win games http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-jake-odorizzi-jersey , and I’m obviously not doing that,” he said. “But I can feel the progress every time. This is the best I’ve felt in two years.”In the seventh, Marcell Ozuna and DeJong both hit infield singles with one out, and Wong followed with an RBI single to left. Yairo Munoz followed with a flyball down the right-field line that Niko Goodrum dropped, allowing the second run to score.Greg Garcia was intentionally walked, loading the bases, and Carson Kelly hit the third infield single of the inning to make it 3-0. Victor Alcantara replaced Fulmer and allowed a sacrifice fly to Matt Carpenter before Jose Martinez’s RBI single gave the Cardinals a five-run lead.“Fulmer was really tough, but we found some little holes,” Kelly said. “You never know when that squirrel will show up, but we needed it there.”The Tigers got their two runs in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to doubles from Nicholas Castellanos Eddie Rosario Jersey , James McCann and Ronny Rodriguez.Carpenter and Shildt were both ejected after Carpenter was called out on strikes to end the ninth.ROSTER MOVESThe Tigers brought up three players from Triple-A Toledo, one day after the Mud Hens were eliminated from the International League playoffs. Prospect Christin Stewart is expected to play regularly in left field, while C Jarrod Saltalamacchia will serve as the third catcher and RHP Zac Reininger will add a bullpen arm. Stewart made his major-league debut, pinch-hitting for Ronny Rodriguez with two out in the ninth. He popped out to third to end the game.UP NEXTCardinals: Return home for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00 ERA) starts Monday for the Cardinals against Pittsburgh’s Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15).Tigers: Justin Verlander (14-9, 2.73) returns to Comerica Park to face the Tigers on Monday in the first of a three-game series with the Houston Astros. Francisco Liriano (4-9, 4.90) starts for Detroit.
SAN DIEGO (AP) —Larry Bowa Jersey , the San Diego Padres are searching for a new hitting coach after Matt Stairs was fired Tuesday following just one year on the job.The rebuilding Padres continued to rank at or near the bottom of the majors in key offensive stats under Stairs.His replacement will be the Padres’ 10th hitting coach since Petco Park opened in 2004.While saying that he felt Stairs did a good job with mostly younger players, general manager A.J. Preller said he and manager Andy Green decided that the team needed a different approach. The team is expected to promote someone from within the organization.“We’re wanting a different message, a different voice,” Preller said. “We have some other guys in mind who have real upside. I’m pretty realistic that it was a younger roster, with developing players. From a performance standpoint we didn’t have tons of guys who improved. It’s not like the entire team overachieved. We did have some improvement, but at the end of the day, sitting down with Andy and talking about it, we thought maybe a different voice, a different connection point will hopefully lead to better performance.”Stairs was hired last offseason to replace Alan Zinter, who was fired on Sept. 1, 2017. Green said then that the team needed “a different voice” to tutor the batters.Possible replacements include assistant hitting coach Johnny Washington and Morgan Burkhart, the hitting coach at Triple-A El Paso.The Padres also fired infield coach Josh Johnson on Tuesday.The Padres were last in the majors in on-base percentage at .297, tied for second-to-last with a .235 batting average and tied for third-to-last with a .380 slugging percentage. They had the second-most strikeouts, 1,523, or 9.4 per game.Stairs spent the 2017 season as the hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, his first professional coaching position. He played parts of 19 seasons in the major leagues with 12 different franchises http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-jim-bunning-jersey , including the Padres in 2010.The Padres expected to be better this year than their 71-91 finish in 2017 but were last in the NL West at 66-96. ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Azaria attended a baseball game at Turner Field a few seasons ago.He can’t believe what it’s become.“I don’t even recognize it,” Azaria said incredulously, glancing out on the former ballpark now known as Georgia State Stadium. Even though it was converted to college football after the Atlanta Braves left for the suburbs , the stadium worked just fine as the stand-in for a fictional Florida spring training site in Azaria’s IFC show “Brockmire.” In it, he portrays a tart-tongued baseball announcer trying to recapture his former glory after a failed marriage, a very public meltdown and struggles with addiction.“You’ve gotta put a lot of fake palm trees everywhere,” quipped Maurice Marable, who came aboard as director in the second season. “If you tell the audience they’re in Florida, they’ll believe you.”The first two seasons were a no-holds-barred look at what happens to Azaria’s character, popular Kansas City announcer Jim Brockmire, when he learns of his wife’s serial infidelity. He has a profanity-laced breakdown right in the booth, which leads to a decade-long descent into pretty much every vice known to man.While Brockmire revolves largely around Azaria’s ample comedic skills, it took a very dark turn in Season 2. Brockmire dealt with the death of his horrific father and an increasingly reckless lifestyle of booze, pills and powder that culminates in a near-fatal game of Russian roulette.“This is a comedy?” Marable remembered asking when approached about the series. “But the thing about comedy for me is that I tend to gravitate toward comedy that is really based in something, that is based and grounded in something that’s real. The idea of following a character — especially Jim Brockmire, who’s in a constant journey of redemption of some sort — it just has to feel real. Funny comes from real pain. Funny comes from real awkward situations.”After being renewed for two additional eight-episode seasons, Azaria & Co. arrived in Georgia to film at various sites in the Atlanta area. Season 3 will begin airing on IFC in April.The show has already filmed at SunTrust Park Jim Thome Jersey , the new home of the Braves, as well as minor-league parks in nearby Macon and Rome. Historic Oakland Cemetery, where Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell are buried, was passed off as a cemetery in New Orleans — where, on the show, Brockmire earns a shot to get back to the big leagues with a gig at a Triple-A club. French Quarter revelry was depicted in suburban Conyers. It wasn’t much of a stretch to transform Georgia State Stadium into King Venom Vape Cartridge Stadium, Oakland’s fictional spring training home set in central Florida.Joel Church-Cooper, who developed the show after hooking up with Azaria to shoot a “Funny Or Die” short in 2010, was incredulous that the Braves abandoned a stadium that was only two decades old . In a fitting twist, he reveals that the third season of “Brockmire” allowed him to take a jab at spending billions of dollars in public money on sports venues.“Don’t get me started,” said Church-Cooper, wearing a vintage Boston Braves cap. “They could’ve fixed this place up and made it fantastic.”Azaria, an avid New York sports fan, based his character on former Big Apple broadcasters Bob Murphy and Phil Rizzuto.“I always thought that this was a funny way for a human being to express himself, especially if he wasn’t in the booth,” Azaria said, morphing into his Jim Brockmire voice. “Is he always talking like this? What’s happening? I tried for many years to find a comedic premise that would work.”A potential movie deal fell through http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-scott-kingery-jersey , and it was tough finding a network that would green-light a series based around baseball.“There was a lot of reticence from a lot other networks because, let’s face it, the demographics of baseball are bad,” Church-Cooper said. “The average baseball viewer is a white man who’s 58. That’s tough if you make money in the entertainment business if that’s your average viewer.”Azaria has promoted the show on MLB Network and lined up numerous figures associated with the game for guest-starring spots, including Joe Buck, Bob Costas and Hall of Famer George Brett.But Major League Baseball has been reluctant to fully embrace “Brockmire,” which is not really surprising given the strong language, rampant alcohol and drug use, and all the tawdry shenanigans that were such a big part of the first two seasons. That forced producers to tread lightly to avoid the legal wrath of MLB; for example, actual team nicknames are only hinted at but never used.Church-Cooper considers that an opportunity missed.“One of the reasons baseball is struggling with the younger demographic is because it does seem very stodgy, does seem to hold very tight to traditions and the way things used to be,” he said. “You know, everyone who works on the show loves baseball. I think that comes through even as we sort of tweak it, even though a central tenant as we go along in the show is that baseball is dying. We don’t want it to die. That’s one of the reasons we made the show.”
for the Arizona Diamondbacks David Peralta Jersey , being 1 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West seems almost unimaginable.Yet that’s where Arizona stands after a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Star slugger Paul Goldschmidt hit his 33rd home run and the Diamondbacks held off the NL East leaders in a matchup of slumping playoff contenders.The Braves lost for the fourth time in five games and had their edge over Philadelphia cut to 2 1/2 games.The Diamondbacks, who had lost five of six, moved within 1 1/2 games of Colorado atop the NL West.“We’ve lost a lot of tough games like these, and it’s just nice to see us come out on the other side of it,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Nice to see these guys smile, nice to see these guys have some fun, nice to have that good feeling after playing a game.”Johan Camargo homered, doubled twice and drove in two runs for Atlanta. Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta made a sliding catch on Camargo’s shallow fly ball for the final out, emphatically pumping his fist to celebrate.Goldschmidt homered for the ninth time in 27 games, sending an opposite-field drive to right for a solo shot in the first. He reached base in all five of his plate appearances http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-deven-marrero-jersey , going 2 for 2 with three walks.Daniel Descalso’s two-run single highlighted a three-run third inning that put Arizona ahead 4-1.Patrick Corbin (11-5) gave up one run and four hits in six innings, striking out nine. Brad Boxberger got two outs for his 32nd save.“All these games are important. They’re all going to be a battle,” Corbin said. “You just have to make quality pitches.”Braves starter Kevin Gausman (9-10) lasted 4 2/3 innings. He was charged with four runs and seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts.“I was making some pretty bad misses trying to go away and missing in on a guy,” Gausman said. “I didn’t throw enough offspeed pitches for strikes.”Camargo made it 1-all with his 17th homer and second in two days, connecting in the third.“A highlight reel,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Camargo. “Kid’s playing unbelievable. Just really maturing, growing. He’s come so far and he’s showing us he’s a legitimate guy.”Peralta hit an RBI single in the third as Arizona strung together three straight singles to take a 2-1 lead. After a walk to A.J. Pollock, Descalso bounced a hit through the right side to drive in two more runs.The Braves battled back in the eighth against reliever Archie Bradley, who gave up an RBI double to Camargo and consecutive infield hits to Nick Markakis and Tyler Flowers to load the bases with one out.Brad Ziegler relieved, and an error by shortstop Nick Amhed gave Atlanta another run that made it 4-3.Bradley was visibly unhappy in the dugout after another bumpy outing. He’s had several over the past week.“When you’re going through a little bit of a rough patch Clay Buchholz Jersey , it seems like the ball doesn’t bounce your way,” Bradley said. “But I made good pitches, they just beat me.”Ziegler protected the lead, striking out Adam Duvall and getting Dansby Swanson to fly out with the bases loaded.“There’s no lead that’s safe with them,” Ziegler said of the Braves.Eduardo Escobar’s sacrifice fly gave the Diamondbacks an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth.END(ER) OF THEIR NIGHTSBraves OF Ender Inciarte, apparently unhappy with the strike zone, was ejected after striking out swinging at a pitch in the dirt to end the top of the fourth. He said something to home plate umpire Doug Eddings and was tossed, then proceeded to kick at the dirt and shout some more in Eddings’ face before going back to the dugout.“Sometimes guys get frustrated and voice opinions on things. It happens,” Snitker said.Eddings also ejected Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer in the eighth when he yelled from the dugout after Duvall was called out on strikes.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Julio Teheran (9-7) makes his team-high 28th start on Saturday against Arizona. The Braves are 16-11 in his starts this season.Diamondbacks: Saturday’s scheduled starter RHP Clay Buchholz (7-2) has a 0.64 earned run average in his last four starts, but carries a 6.06 ERA in three starts against Atlanta in his career. DETROIT (AP) — For Kevan Smith and the Chicago White Sox Andrew Chafin Jersey , this home run was particularly special.Smith used his custom uniform Saturday night to honor Daniel Webb, the former Chicago reliever who died in an ATV accident last October . In the second inning, Smith connected for his first homer of the season, and the White Sox went on to win 6-1 over the Detroit Tigers.“There’s just been a lot of things that’s happened in my life, since the accident. It was almost like in the back of my head — like, wow, what if like I hit a home run here?” Smith said. “And oh my gosh, it happens. Just felt like I was going to start crying, running around the bases.”Major leaguers have been wearing nicknames on the backs of their jerseys for Players’ Weekend, and “WEBBY” was Smith’s choice. His two-run shot in the second gave Chicago a 3-0 lead.“It only hit a few guys I think when I hit it Darryl Strawberry Jersey , at first,” Smith said. “When guys started realizing the significance of it, it was pretty overwhelming.”Lucas Giolito (10-9) pitched seven sharp innings in his third straight quality start. He allowed a run and three hits with a walk and six strikeouts.Mikie Mahtook homered for the Tigers. Ryan Carpenter (1-2) gave up six runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.“I started getting behind hitters right from the start and that got me into big trouble,” Carpenter said. “I didn’t have command of my fastball — everything was up — and when I was finally able to find an adjustment in the fourth inning, it was already too little, too late.”Detroit optioned Carpenter to Triple-A Toledo after the game.The White Sox took an immediate 1-0 lead in the first when Tim Anderson drew a leadoff walk and scored on Jose Rondon’s double. Smith’s drive made it 3-0. After Mahtook homered in the bottom of the second, Chicago responded with two runs in the third on an RBI single by Yoan Moncada and a sacrifice fly by Ryan LaMarre.Matt Davidson brought home another run with a double in the fifth.“Early on, the game really dragged. I don’t like games that don’t have any pace to them,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Carp had a really slow pace and didn’t have his best stuff, and we all fell into it. Their guy pitched well http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-jacob-degrom-jersey , and we hit a few balls on the screws but right at people, but we really didn’t do much.”The White Sox have won eight of 11.LOOKING BETTERGiolito lowered his ERA to 5.85. It’s still the worst mark in the major leagues of anyone who qualifies for the ERA title, but the 23-year-old right-hander has been a bit better since the All-Star break.“It was definitely the best fastball command I’ve had all season,” Giolito said. “Warming up in the bullpen, I was hitting both sides of the plate super consistently.”This was the second time this month that Giolito has gone seven innings with only one run allowed. He also did it in a no-decision Aug. 3 at Tampa Bay.TRAINER’S ROOMTigers: OF JaCoby Jones (right hamstring strain) continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo.UP NEXTChicago rookie Michael Kopech (0-0) takes the mound in his second career start for the series finale against Detroit’s Jordan Zimmermann (6-5) on Sunday. The Tigers are retiring Hall of Famer Alan Trammell’s No. 3 and will have a ceremony before the game.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-jung-ho-kang-jersey , reaching an agreement on Friday on an $850,000, one-year contract.Feliz went 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA in 47 appearances for the Pirates in 2018 after being part of the trade that sent pitcher Gerrit Cole to Houston.Pittsburgh offered contracts to left fielder Corey Dickerson and reliever Keone Kela.Dickerson is likely due a significant raise over the $5.95 million he made this year. Dickerson hit .300 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs and earned the first Gold Glove of his career after being obtained from Tampa Bay on the eve of the regular season.Pittsburgh acquired Kela at the trade deadline in July. He went 3-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 54 appearances for Texas and Pittsburgh, earning $1.2 million. The Pirates ended his season early September as a precaution due to his workload. Kela’s 52 innings were his most since 60 1/3 as a rookie in 2015. BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez wants to thank the Houston Astros — not get back at them — for releasing him when he was struggling to make himself into a star.The Red Sox slugger credits his growing pains in Houston for teaching him “how to fail,” a lesson he credits with transforming him into an MVP candidate who helped Boston win a franchise-record 108 games and reach the AL Championship Series against his former team.“My failures in Houston is what made me who I am,” Martinez said Friday Francisco Cervelli Jersey , a day before the Astros and Red Sox open the best-of-seven series. “There’s really no animosity there. In a sense they did me a favor by allowing me to leave and play on another team.”It will be the second straight year the Red Sox and Astros meet in the postseason — last year it was the ALDS — and the second straight year that aces Chris Sale will go against Justin Verlander in the opener.The biggest difference this time: Boston has Martinez on its side.And the Astros could have.Martinez made his big-league debut for Houston in 2011, driving in 28 runs in his first full month in the majors. After playing part time the next two years — hitting 18 homers with 91 RBIs in 199 games — he was 26 years old and batting .167 in the spring of 2014 when the Astros released him, preferring to give the at-bats to top prospect George Springer.Martinez landed with Detroit that season and by 2015 he was an All-Star, hitting 38 homers with 102 RBIs. He hit 45 homers last year, when he was traded from the Tigers to Diamondbacks and was 14th in MVP voting despite playing just 62 games in the NL.“I always believed he’s going to be the player he is right now,” said Astros second baseman Jose Altuve John Jaso Jersey , the reigning AL MVP, who came up through the minors with Martinez. “He got a couple of tough years with us in the big leagues. But I think the best thing that happened to him was going to the Tigers and becoming the player that he is.Verlander was Martinez’s teammate in Detroit and said he was “there from the moment he turned his career around.”“He went and completely revamped his swing that offseason, and saw immediate dividends,” Verlander said. “(He) never stopped hitting. Seeing somebody like that who works so hard and turned their career around to where he’s at now, as a fellow player, and you respect it and I’m happy for him. I really am.’Now Martinez is one of the keys — with Mookie Betts http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-jordy-mercer-jersey , who is expected to edge him for the AL MVP award — on a Red Sox team that won a third straight AL East title but advanced in the playoffs for the first time since 2013, eliminating the rival New York Yankees in the ALDS.The Central Division champion Astros did OK, too, winning their first World Series last year; Springer was Series MVP.So, no hard feelings.“God gave me another opportunity and put me in a good situation with Detroit. And that’s kind of where I continued to grow until where I am today, really Corey Dickerson Jersey ,” Martinez said. “And if it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Who knows where I would have been?”Saturday night’s opener will be a rematch of Game 1 of the ALDS last year, when the Astros jumped on Sale for seven runs in five innings, including back-to-back homers by Alex Bregman and Altuve in the first. Altuve added another homer in the fifth.Sale and Verlander each came out of the bullpen in Game 4, with the Red Sox lefty outpitching the Astros ace before tiring in his fifth inning of relief and taking the loss as the Red Sox were eliminated. With the teams meeting one round further along this year, the stakes are even higher.“Obviously, the winner of this one goes to the World Series Austin Meadows Jersey ,” Sale said. “We know who we’re up against. He’s obviously one of the best around, and really good in the postseason.”