A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Chicago Cubs Manager: David Ross (second season). 2020: 34-26, first place, lost to Marlins in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Sloan Park. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: OF Joc Pederson, RHP Zach Davies, RHP Trevor Williams, RHP Kohl Stewart, C Austin Romine, OF Jake Marisnick (deal pending), OF Phillip Ervin, RHP Jonathan Holder, RHP Robert Stock, INF Sergio Alcántara. He’s Outta Here: RHP Yu Darvish, OF Kyle Schwarber, LHP Jon Lester, LHP José Quintana, OF Albert Almora, Jr., C Victor Caratini, 2B Jason Kipnis, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Jeremy Jeffress, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Billy Hamilton, OF José Martínez. Going campin’: Ross was impressive in his first year as manager, guiding Chicago to the NL Central title during the pandemic-shortened season.... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Chicago Cubs Manager: David Ross (second season). 2020: 34-26, first place, lost to Marlins in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Sloan Park. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: OF Joc Pederson, RHP Zach Davies, RHP Trevor Williams, RHP Kohl Stewart, C Austin Romine, OF Jake Marisnick (deal pending), OF Phillip Ervin, RHP Jonathan Holder, RHP Robert Stock, INF Sergio Alcántara. He’s Outta Here: RHP Yu Darvish, OF Kyle Schwarber, LHP Jon Lester, LHP José Quintana, OF Albert Almora, Jr., C Victor Caratini, 2B Jason Kipnis, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Jeremy Jeffress, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Billy Hamilton, OF José Martínez. Going campin’: Ross was impressive in his first year as manager, guiding Chicago to the NL Central title during the pandemic-shortened season.... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Chicago Cubs Manager: David Ross (second season). 2020: 34-26, first place, lost to Marlins in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Sloan Park. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: OF Joc Pederson, RHP Zach Davies, RHP Trevor Williams, RHP Kohl Stewart, C Austin Romine, OF Phillip Ervin, RHP Jonathan Holder, RHP Robert Stock, INF Sergio Alcántara. He’s Outta Here: RHP Yu Darvish, OF Kyle Schwarber, LHP Jon Lester, LHP José Quintana, OF Albert Almora, Jr., C Victor Caratini, 2B Jason Kipnis, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Jeremy Jeffress, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Billy Hamilton, OF José Martínez. Going campin’: Ross was impressive in his first year as manager, guiding Chicago to the NL Central title during the pandemic-shortened season. But it doesn’t get any easier... [More]

A capsule look at the best-of-three playoff series between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves beginning Wednesday. All games in Atlanta: ___ CINCINNATI REDS Record: 31-29. Playoff Entry: NL wild card. Playoff Seed: No. 7. Manager: David Bell (second season). Projected Rotation: RHP Trevor Bauer (5-4, NL-best 1.73 ERA, 100Ks), RHP Luis Castillo (4-6, 3.21, 89Ks), RHP Sonny Gray (5-3, 3.70, 72 Ks). Top Hitters: DH Jesse Winker (.255, 12 HRs, 23 RBIs), 1B Joey Votto (.226, 11, 22), RF Nick Castellanos (.225, 14, 34), 3B Eugenio Suarez (.202, 15, 38). Top Relievers: RHP Raisel Iglesias (4-3, 2.74 ERA, 8 saves), RHP Lucas Sims (3-0, 2.45), LHP Amir Garrett (1-0, 2.45, 1 save), RHP Tejay Antone (0-3, 2.80). Series Summary: The Reds took off in early September and earned their first playoff appearance since 2013. Cincinnati won six in a row beginning Sept. 13 and finished the season 11-3, including an extra-inning victory over Minnesota in the finale. The team won its last five series. The... [More]

All the Cincinnati Reds needed was one extended winning streak to turn a disappointing season into a possible playoff berth. Cincinnati had high hopes after spending big in the offseason, but the Reds showed little sign of improvement until they ran off six straight victories recently. Now they're at .500 and in a three-way tie with Milwaukee and San Francisco for the final postseason spot in the National League. Cincinnati hosts a three-game series with the Brewers starting Monday night. It's the pitching staff that has led this resurgence for the Reds. They held Pittsburgh to six runs in a four-game sweep, and then they took two of three from the powerful Chicago White Sox. Trevor Bauer (4-4, 1.80 ERA) and Luis Castillo (3-5, 3.03) give Cincinnati a formidable starting pitching tandem, and Nick Castellanos, Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker and Joey Votto all have reached double-digit home runs. Elsewhere in the NL Central, Milwaukee and St. Louis are closing strong as well. Those two teams... [More]

Pirates first. Erik Gonzalez strikes out swinging. Adam Frazier hit by pitch. Ke'Bryan Hayes called out on strikes. Colin Moran doubles to deep left field. Adam Frazier scores. Josh Bell singles to shallow left field, tagged out at second, Shogo Akiyama to Kyle Farmer. Colin Moran to third.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Reds 0.Reds second. Eugenio Suarez walks. Mike Moustakas flies out to center field to Gregory Polanco. Brian Goodwin homers to left field. Eugenio Suarez scores. Freddy Galvis flies out to shallow center field to Bryan Reynolds. Kyle Farmer walks. Curt Casali walks. Kyle Farmer to second. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to shallow infield, Kevin Newman to Josh Bell.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 2, Pirates 1.Reds third. Nick Castellanos strikes out swinging. Joey Votto homers to center field. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 3, Pirates 1.Pirates fourth. Josh Bell homers to... [More]

Reds fourth. Shogo Akiyama strikes out swinging. Nick Castellanos lines out to shortstop to Kevin Newman. Joey Votto homers to left field. Eugenio Suarez walks. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep center field to Bryan Reynolds.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Pirates 0.Pirates seventh. Colin Moran homers to right field. Josh Bell singles to shortstop. Bryan Reynolds strikes out on a foul tip. Kevin Newman singles to shallow infield. Josh Bell to second. Gregory Polanco pinch-hitting for Cole Tucker. Gregory Polanco strikes out swinging. John Ryan Murphy called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Reds 1.Reds seventh. Nick Senzel pops out to shallow infield to Colin Moran. Curt Casali pinch-hitting for Tucker Barnhart. Curt Casali called out on strikes. Jose Garcia singles to left center field. Tyler Stephenson pinch-hitting for Shogo Akiyama. Tyler Stephenson homers to center field. Jose Garcia scores.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 3, Pirates 1.

Cardinals first. Kolten Wong flies out to left center field to Shogo Akiyama. Paul DeJong walks. Paul Goldschmidt singles to deep left field. Paul DeJong to second. Brad Miller walks. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Paul DeJong to third. Rangel Ravelo out on a sacrifice fly to Nick Castellanos. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Paul DeJong scores. Yadier Molina grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Garcia to Mike Moustakas.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 0.Reds second. Mike Moustakas grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Tyler Stephenson called out on strikes. Brian Goodwin homers to right field. Freddy Galvis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Cardinals 1.Cardinals second. Matt Carpenter doubles. Austin Dean strikes out swinging. Harrison Bader walks. Kolten Wong singles to shallow center field, advances to 2nd. Harrison Bader to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Paul DeJong out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Shogo Akiyama. Harrison... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nate Lowe hit two homers and drove in four runs as Tampa Bay fielded a lineup of all lefties, Blake Snell worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the AL East-leading Rays routed the cellar-dwelling Boston Red Sox 11-1 on Friday night.Tampa Bay became the first major league team since at least 1900 to use a batting order with only left-handed batters, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Snell (4-1) gave up five hits and two walks. He struck out five.Yoshi Tsutsugo also homered for the Rays, who stopped a three-game skid. Boston rookie Bobby Dalbec had his five-game home run streak end but had an RBI double in the ninth.Rays manager Kevin Cash stacked his lineup with lefties against right-hander Andrew Triggs, who made his second start with Boston.Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke quickly countered by removing Triggs after he allowed a hit and walk in a scoreless first. However, Tsutsugo started the second with a homer off lefty Matt Hall (0-3).Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nate Lowe hit two homers and drove in four runs as Tampa Bay fielded a lineup of all lefties, Blake Snell worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the AL East-leading Rays routed the cellar-dwelling Boston Red Sox 11-1 on Friday night.Tampa Bay became the first major league team since at least 1900 to use a batting order with only left-handed batters, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Snell (4-1) gave up five hits and two walks. He struck out five.Yoshi Tsutsugo also homered for the Rays, who stopped a three-game skid. Boston rookie Bobby Dalbec had his five-game home run streak end but had an RBI double in the ninth.Rays manager Kevin Cash stacked his lineup with lefties against right-hander Andrew Triggs, who made his second start with Boston.Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke quickly countered by removing Triggs after he allowed a hit and walk in a scoreless first. However, Tsutsugo started the second with a homer off lefty Matt Hall (0-3).Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI... [More]

Reds first. Joey Votto singles to deep right center field. Nick Castellanos triples to center field. Joey Votto scores. Jesse Winker out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Ian Happ. Nick Castellanos scores. Eugenio Suarez walks. Mike Moustakas grounds out to first base. Eugenio Suarez out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Cubs 0.Reds second. Shogo Akiyama walks. Tyler Stephenson called out on strikes. Brian Goodwin doubles to deep right field. Shogo Akiyama scores. Jose Garcia strikes out swinging. Joey Votto grounds out to shallow infield, Nico Hoerner to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 3, Cubs 0.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras walks. Jason Heyward grounds out to shallow infield to Joey Votto. Willson Contreras to second. Cameron Maybin singles to shallow infield. Willson Contreras to third. David Bote walks. Cameron Maybin to second. Nico Hoerner doubles to center field. David Bote to third. Cameron Maybin scores. Willson Contreras scores.... [More]

Reds first. Joey Votto lines out to shallow right field to Ildemaro Vargas. Nick Castellanos walks. Jesse Winker walks. Nick Castellanos to second. Eugenio Suarez called out on strikes. Mike Moustakas homers to right field. Jesse Winker scores. Nick Castellanos scores. Shogo Akiyama singles to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Javier Baez. Brian Goodwin grounds out to second base, Ildemaro Vargas to Anthony Rizzo.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Reds 3, Cubs 0.

Reds third. Joey Votto walks. Nick Castellanos homers to center field. Joey Votto scores. Jesse Winker grounds out to shortstop, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Colin Moran. Eugenio Suarez strikes out on a foul tip. Mike Moustakas doubles to deep right field. Brian Goodwin strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 2, Pirates 0.Pirates third. John Ryan Murphy strikes out swinging. Erik Gonzalez called out on strikes. Adam Frazier singles. Bryan Reynolds singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Adam Frazier scores. Throwing error by Brian Goodwin. Colin Moran hit by pitch. Gregory Polanco strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Reds 2, Pirates 1.Pirates ninth. Josh Bell singles to center field. Ke'Bryan Hayes singles to center field. Josh Bell to second. Cole Tucker singles to second base, advances to 2nd. Ke'Bryan Hayes to third. Josh Bell scores. Throwing error by Nick Castellanos. Kevin Newman pinch-hitting for John Ryan Murphy. Kevin Newman reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Cole Tucker to third. Ke'Bryan Hayes out at home. Erik Gonzalez out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Nick Castellanos. Cole Tucker scores.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Pirates 3, Reds 2.

Reds third. Tucker Barnhart homers to center field. Joey Votto doubles. Nick Castellanos grounds out to shallow infield, Kevin Newman to Josh Bell. Joey Votto to third. Jesse Winker walks. Eugenio Suarez homers to left field. Jesse Winker scores. Joey Votto scores. Mike Moustakas flies out to deep right center field to Gregory Polanco. Brian Goodwin singles to center field.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 4, Pirates 0.Pirates third. Erik Gonzalez singles to shallow infield. Adam Frazier singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Erik Gonzalez to third. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to shallow infield, Anthony DeSclafani to Joey Votto. Colin Moran walks. Gregory Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Brian Goodwin. Adam Frazier to third. Erik Gonzalez scores. Josh Bell lines out to shortstop, Mike Moustakas to Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 4, Pirates 1.Pirates fourth. Kevin Newman flies out to deep left field to Shogo Akiyama. Cole... [More]

Reds first. Joey Votto walks. Nick Castellanos strikes out swinging. Jesse Winker lines out to deep right field to Gregory Polanco. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Joey Votto scores. Mike Moustakas pops out to shallow infield to Ke'Bryan Hayes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Pirates 0.Pirates fourth. Colin Moran reaches on error. Fielding error by Joey Votto. Gregory Polanco pops out to Tucker Barnhart. Josh Bell flies out to right field to Nick Castellanos. Ke'Bryan Hayes singles to center field. Colin Moran to third. Anthony Alford triples to deep center field. Ke'Bryan Hayes scores. Colin Moran scores. John Ryan Murphy called out on strikes.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Pirates 3, Reds 2.Reds fourth. Eugenio Suarez lines out to deep left center field to Bryan Reynolds. Mike Moustakas homers to right field. Brian Goodwin grounds out to second base, Adam Frazier to Colin Moran. Shogo Akiyama lines out to left field to Bryan Reynolds.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 3, Reds 3.Pirates fifth. Kevin Newman singles to shallow center field. Adam Frazier singles to right field. Kevin Newman to third. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to shallow infield. Adam Frazier out at second. Kevin Newman scores. Colin Moran strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 4, Reds 3.

Reds second. Eugenio Suarez called out on strikes. Jesse Winker strikes out swinging. Aristides Aquino hit by pitch. Curt Casali reaches on error. Aristides Aquino to second. Fielding error by Josh Bell. Jose Garcia singles to left field. Curt Casali to second. Aristides Aquino scores. Kyle Farmer strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Reds 1, Pirates 0.Reds third. Joey Votto singles to right field. Nick Castellanos singles to shallow infield. Joey Votto to second. Matt Davidson grounds out to second base, Kevin Newman to Josh Bell. Nick Castellanos to second. Joey Votto to third. Eugenio Suarez out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Gregory Polanco. Nick Castellanos to third. Joey Votto scores. Jesse Winker singles to shallow center field. Nick Castellanos scores. Aristides Aquino singles to center field. Jesse Winker to second. Curt Casali strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 3, Pirates 0.Pirates third. Jacob Stallings strikes out swinging.... [More]

Cardinals second. Brad Miller homers to center field. Paul DeJong walks. Yadier Molina flies out to deep left field to Shogo Akiyama. Matt Carpenter flies out to deep center field to Brian Goodwin. Tyler O'Neill flies out to right field to Nick Castellanos.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 0.Reds second. Eugenio Suarez doubles to deep left center field. Mike Moustakas walks. Brian Goodwin called out on strikes. Jose Garcia strikes out swinging. Shogo Akiyama singles to shallow center field. Mike Moustakas to third. Eugenio Suarez scores. Tucker Barnhart pops out to shallow left field to Matt Carpenter.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 1.Cardinals fifth. Yadier Molina homers to left field. Matt Carpenter flies out to shallow center field to Shogo Akiyama. Tyler O'Neill doubles to deep center field. Lane Thomas flies out to deep left field to Shogo Akiyama. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Tyler O'Neill scores. Tommy Edman lines out to... [More]

Cardinals first. Kolten Wong singles to shallow center field. Tommy Edman singles to center field. Kolten Wong to second. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Tommy Edman to second. Kolten Wong to third. Brad Miller doubles to shallow right field. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong scores. Paul DeJong grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Moustakas to Joey Votto. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter walks. Dexter Fowler singles to deep right center field. Matt Carpenter to third. Brad Miller scores. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Lane Thomas walks. Dexter Fowler to second. Kolten Wong singles to shallow right field. Lane Thomas to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Matt Carpenter scores. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging.6 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 6, Reds 0.Cardinals second. Paul Goldschmidt doubles. Brad Miller homers to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong flies out to left field to Aristides Aquino. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Matt... [More]

Cardinals first. Kolten Wong grounds out to shallow center field, Mike Moustakas to Joey Votto. Tommy Edman doubles to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt doubles. Tommy Edman scores. Brad Miller called out on strikes. Paul DeJong called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 0.Reds first. Joey Votto singles to shortstop. Nick Castellanos grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Jesse Winker called out on strikes. Eugenio Suarez singles to center field. Joey Votto scores. Mike Moustakas grounds out to shallow right field, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 1.Cardinals second. Yadier Molina grounds out to shallow infield, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto. Matt Carpenter walks. Dexter Fowler singles to center field. Matt Carpenter to third. Dylan Carlson called out on strikes. Kolten Wong singles to left field. Dexter Fowler to second. Matt Carpenter scores. Tommy Edman grounds out to first... [More]

Cubs fourth. Kyle Schwarber homers to right field. Willson Contreras grounds out to shallow left field, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto. Jason Heyward homers to right field. Jason Kipnis called out on strikes. David Bote grounds out to shortstop, Mike Moustakas to Joey Votto.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Reds 0.Cubs fifth. Nico Hoerner hit by pitch. Ian Happ homers to center field. Nico Hoerner scores. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Javier Baez strikes out on a foul tip. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 4, Reds 0.Cubs sixth. Willson Contreras flies out to right center field to Shogo Akiyama. Jason Heyward homers to right field. Jason Kipnis pops out to shallow left field to Eugenio Suarez. David Bote walks. Nico Hoerner strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 5, Reds 0.Reds sixth. Joey Votto homers to center field. Nick Castellanos lines out to deep right field to Jason Heyward. Jesse Winker strikes out swinging.... [More]