WASHINGTON (AP) — Doing a little research ahead of the World Series, Washington Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier came across some numbers that made him feel OK about his team's long layoff."I saw a stat today where there's been 12 times where teams have had five or more days off going into the World Series. And you know what the record was? 6-6," Dozier said. "So it's not that big a deal."Baseball is a sport that is more of a daily grind than any other, with game followed by game followed by game for six months, so this stretch is rather unusual for the Nationals: They haven't played since finishing off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series at home last Tuesday — and they won't play until Game 1 of the Fall Classic on the road next Tuesday.Washington's next opponent gets much less of a respite: The Houston Astros and New York Yankees were getting set to play Game 6 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.The good news for the Nationals is that their... [More]

Dodgers first. Joc Pederson doubles to deep left field. Max Muncy homers to center field. Joc Pederson scores. Justin Turner walks. Cody Bellinger strikes out on a foul tip. Matt Beaty singles to center field. Justin Turner to second. Corey Seager grounds out to second base. Matt Beaty out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Nationals 0.Dodgers second. Kike Hernandez homers to center field. Will Smith lines out to shallow infield to Stephen Strasburg. Walker Buehler grounds out to second base, Howie Kendrick to Ryan Zimmerman. Joc Pederson singles to center field. Max Muncy flies out to deep center field to Michael A. Taylor.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 3, Nationals 0.Nationals sixth. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep left field. Juan Soto singles to right field. Anthony Rendon scores. Howie Kendrick grounds out to second base. Juan Soto out at second. Ryan Zimmerman strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Nationals 1.Nationals... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Adam Eaton walks. Anthony Rendon flies out to center field to Cody Bellinger. Juan Soto homers to center field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shortstop, Corey Seager to Max Muncy.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Dodgers 0.Dodgers fifth. Hyun-Jin Ryu called out on strikes. Joc Pederson pops out to third base to Anthony Rendon. Max Muncy homers to center field. Justin Turner grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Dodgers 1.Dodgers sixth. Cody Bellinger singles to right field. Corey Seager called out on strikes. A.J. Pollock strikes out swinging. David Freese pinch-hitting for Gavin Lux. David Freese singles to right field. Cody Bellinger to third. Russell Martin doubles to deep left center field. David Freese scores. Cody Bellinger scores. Chris Taylor pinch-hitting for Hyun-Jin Ryu. Chris Taylor walks.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer was held back by the Washington Nationals for Game 4 of their NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Aníbal Sánchez replacing him as the starter for Game 3.The Nationals announced the switch Sunday morning, less than nine hours before Game 3 was scheduled to begin.Scherzer originally was the pitcher Washington said would be on the mound in the tied best-of-five series. But that plan was thrown into question after manager Dave Martinez brought Scherzer on in relief in Game 2; the three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out all three batters he faced in Washington's 4-2 victory at Los Angeles on Friday night."We talked after the game. Throwing Sanchez Game 3 and letting me get an extra day would probably be the best thing for me and for the team," Scherzer said Sunday. "So that was Davey's decision, and it's Davey's call."The Dodgers planned to send baseball's ERA leader, Hyun-Jin Ryu, to the mound for Game 3, with Rich Hill facing Scherzer... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers included four rookies on their NL Division Series roster.First baseman Matt Beaty, second baseman Gavin Lux, catcher Will Smith and reliever Dustin May each made impacts during the regular season when the Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games.“They don’t act like rookies, they don’t play the game like rookies, and we’re going to need them in the postseason,” Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said Thursday. “We don’t expect their performance to be any different.”Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts added, “We just believe in those guys.”The Dodgers and Washington Nationals announced their rosters for the best-of-five series hours before the start of Game 1.Smith was tabbed to catch starter Walker Buehler on Thursday in a Kentucky-bred battery. Smith is from Louisville and Buehler is from Lexington.Roberts often jokes about Smith’s youthful looks.“Don’t let that fool you because this guy is as tough as they come,” he said.Beaty is the oldest of the quartet... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have included four rookies on their NL Division Series roster.First baseman Matt Beaty, second baseman Gavin Lux, catcher Will Smith and reliever Dustin May each made impacts during the regular season when the Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games.The Dodgers announced their roster for the best-of-five series Thursday, hours before the start of Game 1 against Washington.The Nationals tweaked their roster after their NL wild-card victory over Milwaukee. Catcher Raudy Read and outfielder Andrew Stevenson were dropped in favor of added pitching depth with right-handers Wander Suero and Austin Voth.Washington is going with 11 pitchers and 14 position players.Beaty and Lux are among six left-handed hitters on the Dodgers’ roster. Lux was called up in September after starting the season at Double-A.Another rookie, outfielder Alex Verdugo, was ruled out of the NLDS because of a back injury.Los Angeles is carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players.The... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to left field. Adam Eaton lines out to center field to Bradley Zimmer. Kurt Suzuki flies out to center field to Bradley Zimmer. Juan Soto doubles to deep right field. Trea Turner scores. Matt Adams pops out to Mike Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Indians 0.Indians third. Francisco Lindor homers to right field. Bradley Zimmer strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana walks. Franmil Reyes grounds out to shallow infield, Joe Ross to Matt Adams. Carlos Santana to second. Mike Freeman strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 1, Nationals 1.Nationals third. Joe Ross grounds out to second base, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton walks. Kurt Suzuki homers to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto grounds out to first base, Carlos Santana to Mike Clevinger.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Indians 1.Nationals sixth. Raudy Read flies out to left field to Greg... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto flies out to deep center field to Oscar Mercado. Howie Kendrick singles to center field. Matt Adams strikes out swinging. Kurt Suzuki singles to left field. Howie Kendrick to second. Gerardo Parra doubles to deep right center field. Kurt Suzuki scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Austin Voth flies out to deep right center field to Oscar Mercado.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Indians 0.Indians third. Greg Allen singles to second base. Ryan Flaherty doubles to right field. Greg Allen scores. Zach Plesac out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield to Matt Adams. Ryan Flaherty to third. Francisco Lindor out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Gerardo Parra. Ryan Flaherty scores. Oscar Mercado pops out to shallow center field to Trea Turner.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Nationals 2.Nationals sixth. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick flies out to left center field to Greg Allen. Matt Adams singles to shallow infield. Juan Soto... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

Phillies fourth. Bryce Harper doubles to left center field. Rhys Hoskins singles to center field. Bryce Harper scores. Brad Miller strikes out swinging. Jean Segura grounds out to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Brian Dozier strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton flies out to deep left field to Brad Miller. Howie Kendrick homers to center field. Juan Soto pops out to shallow left field to Jean Segura.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 1.Phillies seventh. Brad Miller homers to right field. Jean Segura grounds out to second base, Brian Dozier to Howie Kendrick. Adam Haseley grounds out to first base to Howie Kendrick. Scott Kingery singles to left field. Andrew Knapp strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Nationals 1.Nationals seventh. Juan Soto flies out to deep right center field to Bryce Harper. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to left field. Yan Gomes doubles to right... [More]

Phillies first. Cesar Hernandez walks. Bryce Harper singles to left field. Cesar Hernandez to second. Rhys Hoskins pops out to second base to Brian Dozier. Brad Miller singles to right field. Bryce Harper to second. Cesar Hernandez to third. Jean Segura singles to shallow center field. Brad Miller to second. Bryce Harper to third. Cesar Hernandez scores. Scott Kingery strikes out swinging. Adam Haseley grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Trea Turner doubles to deep left center field. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Ranger Suarez to Rhys Hoskins. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Adam Haseley. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Rhys Hoskins.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Nationals 1.Nationals sixth. Trea Turner singles to second base. Adam Eaton doubles to deep right field.... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to center field. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon singles to left field. Adam Eaton to second. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto grounds out to first base. Anthony Rendon out at second. Adam Eaton to third. Howie Kendrick flies out to deep left field to Harold Ramirez.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Marlins first. Magneuris Sierra triples to left field. Jon Berti lines out to first base to Howie Kendrick. Starlin Castro out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Victor Robles. Magneuris Sierra scores. Jorge Alfaro grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 1.Nationals fourth. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Juan Soto to second. Brian Dozier reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Howie Kendrick out at third. Juan Soto scores. Victor Robles grounds out to third base, Isan Diaz to Starlin Castro to... [More]

Nationals second. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Victor Robles grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Stephen Strasburg singles to center field. Yan Gomes scores. Trea Turner flies out to right field to Harold Ramirez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner doubles to deep center field. Adam Eaton strikes out swinging. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to left field. Anthony Rendon to second. Trea Turner scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Marlins 0.Nationals eighth. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman singles to right field. Michael A. Taylor to second. Victor Robles singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman to third. Michael A. Taylor scores. Yan Gomes reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop.... [More]

Nationals second. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Brian Dozier flies out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Victor Robles doubles to deep left field. Howie Kendrick to third. Yan Gomes singles to right center field. Victor Robles scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Anibal Sanchez grounds out to shallow infield. Yan Gomes out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner singles to third base. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner to second. Anthony Rendon singles to left field. Trea Turner to third. Juan Soto walks. Anthony Rendon to second. Howie Kendrick singles to center field. Juan Soto to second. Anthony Rendon scores. Trea Turner scores. Brian Dozier walks. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto to third. Victor Robles walks. Brian Dozier to second. Howie Kendrick to third. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes grounds out to shortstop. Victor Robles out at second.3 runs,... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton pops out to Willians Astudillo. Anthony Rendon homers to center field. Juan Soto singles to right field, tagged out at second, Eddie Rosario to C.J. Cron to Ehire Adrianza.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Twins 0.Twins first. Mitch Garver grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Matt Adams. Luis Arraez doubles to deep right field. Nelson Cruz flies out to deep right field to Adam Eaton. Luis Arraez to third. Eddie Rosario singles to right field. Luis Arraez scores. C.J. Cron reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Eddie Rosario out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Twins 1.Nationals third. Trea Turner doubles to left center field. Adam Eaton singles to right field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon walks. Adam Eaton to second. Juan Soto reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Anthony Rendon out at second. Adam Eaton to third. Trea Turner scores. Howie Kendrick strikes out... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner pops out to Willians Astudillo. Adam Eaton doubles to deep left center field. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto singles to center field. Anthony Rendon to second. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick pops out to shallow center field to Jonathan Schoop. Ryan Zimmerman singles to center field. Juan Soto to third. Anthony Rendon scores. Brian Dozier lines out to third base to Ehire Adrianza.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Twins 0.Nationals third. Adam Eaton flies out to deep center field to LaMonte Wade Jr. Anthony Rendon pops out to shallow center field to Jonathan Schoop. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick doubles to deep right field. Juan Soto scores. Ryan Zimmerman homers to center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Brian Dozier called out on strikes.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 5, Twins 0.Twins third. Jason Castro grounds out to shallow infield, Stephen Strasburg to Ryan Zimmerman. Luis Arraez singles to left field. Jorge Polanco homers to center field. Luis Arraez scores. Nelson Cruz strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario lines out to center field to Victor Robles.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 5, Twins 2.Nationals ninth. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to Willians Astudillo. Anthony Rendon lines out to left field to Luis Arraez.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 6, Twins 2.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies doubles to shallow left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman singles to left center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick. Freddie Freeman to second. Brian McCann grounds out to first base, Howie Kendrick to Stephen Strasburg. Freddie Freeman to third. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Braves fifth. Max Fried called out on strikes. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to right field. Ozzie Albies lines out to center field to Victor Robles. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Braves eighth. Ozzie Albies singles to shallow center field. Freddie Freeman flies out to deep left center field to Victor Robles. Josh Donaldson strikes out swinging. Brian McCann singles to right field. Ozzie Albies scores. Dansby Swanson pops out to shallow right field to Brian Dozier.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Nationals 0.Nationals ninth. Gerardo Parra walks. Trea Turner reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Gerardo Parra out at second. Victor Robles homers to center field. Trea Turner scores. Anthony Rendon flies out to deep right field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Juan Soto singles to left field. Howie Kendrick grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Nationals 2.