Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer and a slew of aces get the World Series started in Houston, then the scene shifts to Capitol Hill.But with Justin Verlander, Stephen Strasburg and all these electric arms, might as well call it capital hill.Because in this Year of the Home Run, the focus of the 2019 Fall Classic is on the mound.A throw-down for the ages, maybe. With a neat twist, too: The Astros and Washington Nationals share a spring training complex — they met in the exhibition opener, and Scherzer gave up a homer to the first batter of the game.Now, eight months later, they meet for real, beginning Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. The 107-win Astros trying to take their second crown in three years, the wild-card Nationals making their Series debut.Cole is lined up for the opener, with Verlander and Zack Greinke to follow."We got some pretty big boys that can pitch," Astros manager AJ Hinch recently said.So do the Nationals in their rotation with Scherzer, Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. And... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bottle of beer in hand, Ryan Zimmerman stood alone in the Nationals Park home clubhouse for a few moments, taking in the scene while his teammates celebrated reaching Washington's first World Series since 1933.Eventually, someone threw an arm around the 35-year-old Zimmerman's shoulders and ushered him back into the fray, where he joined others in chugging alcohol out of the NL Championship Series trophy after completing a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Only fitting that the long-time "face of the franchise" would be right in the middle of things for the club's biggest moment since it arrived in the nation's capital from Montreal."I've seen him tear up a couple times, already. Just getting past the first round, and now that we're on to the World Series," shortstop Trea Turner said amid the frivolity Tuesday night, talking about the first guy ever drafted by the Nationals in 2005 and the only player to wear their uniform in each and every one of their 15 seasons... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to right field. Adam Eaton doubles to right center field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Harrison Bader. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto doubles to deep left field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick is intentionally walked. Ryan Zimmerman reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto to third. Fielding error by Kolten Wong. Victor Robles singles to shallow right field. Ryan Zimmerman to second. Howie Kendrick to third. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes singles to left field. Victor Robles to second. Ryan Zimmerman scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Patrick Corbin out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yadier Molina to Kolten Wong. Yan Gomes to second. Victor Robles to third. Trea Turner singles to left field. Yan Gomes scores. Victor Robles scores. Adam Eaton lines out to shortstop to Paul DeJong.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 7, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul... [More]

Nationals third. Victor Robles singles to center field. Stephen Strasburg out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Paul Goldschmidt to Kolten Wong. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner strikes out on a foul tip. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Victor Robles scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick doubles to right center field. Juan Soto scores. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 4, Cardinals 0.Nationals fifth. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rendon singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Howie Kendrick doubles to left center field. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman doubles to shallow center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Kurt Suzuki pops out to second base to Kolten Wong.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 6, Cardinals... [More]

Nationals third. Michael A. Taylor homers to left field. Max Scherzer strikes out swinging. Trea Turner lines out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 0.Nationals eighth. Michael A. Taylor called out on strikes. Matt Adams pinch-hitting for Max Scherzer. Matt Adams singles to deep right center field. Trea Turner singles to center field. Matt Adams to second. Adam Eaton doubles to right field. Trea Turner scores. Matt Adams scores. Anthony Rendon is intentionally walked. Juan Soto pops out to shallow center field to Paul DeJong. Howie Kendrick strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 3, Cardinals 0.Cardinals eighth. Matt Carpenter strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman lines out to deep right field to Adam Eaton. Paul DeJong singles to center field. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Andrew Miller. Jose Martinez doubles to deep center field. Paul DeJong scores. Dexter Fowler flies out to right field to Adam Eaton.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Cardinals 1.

Nationals second. Howie Kendrick doubles to deep right center field. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to third base, Matt Carpenter to Paul Goldschmidt. Michael A. Taylor strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes doubles to deep center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Anibal Sanchez grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 0.Nationals seventh. Trea Turner lines out to shallow infield to Giovanny Gallegos. Adam Eaton triples to deep left center field. Anthony Rendon is intentionally walked. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow center field. Anthony Rendon to second. Adam Eaton scores. Ryan Zimmerman walks. Howie Kendrick to second. Anthony Rendon to third. Michael A. Taylor flies out to deep center field to Dexter Fowler.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Nationals 2, Cardinals 0.

A look at the best-of-seven National League Championship Series between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at St. Louis, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at St. Louis, 4:08 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, at Washington, TBA; Game 4, Tuesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 6, Friday, Oct. 18, at St. Louis, TBA; x-Game 7, Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Louis, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Cardinals won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 2B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.257, 6, 27 in 52 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63) or Yan Gomes (.223, 12, 43 in 97 games), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs) or Michael A. Taylor (.250, 1, 3 in 53 games).Cardinals:... [More]

Dodgers first. Joc Pederson pops out to shallow center field to Anthony Rendon. Max Muncy flies out to right field to Adam Eaton. Justin Turner homers to center field. Cody Bellinger flies out to center field to Michael A. Taylor.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 1, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Michael A. Taylor walks. Max Scherzer strikes out on a foul bunt. Trea Turner singles to right center field. Michael A. Taylor to third. Adam Eaton walks. Trea Turner to second. Anthony Rendon out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Matt Beaty. Michael A. Taylor scores. Juan Soto walks. Adam Eaton to second. Trea Turner to third. Howie Kendrick grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Max Muncy.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Dodgers 1, Nationals 1.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner singles to left field. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Trea Turner to second. Anthony Rendon singles to left center field. Trea Turner scores. Juan... [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]

Nationals first. Trea Turner doubles to left field. Adam Eaton pops out to third base to Justin Turner. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto hit by pitch. Anthony Rendon to second. Trea Turner to third. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Juan Soto to second. Anthony Rendon to third. Trea Turner scores. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to Max Muncy. Kurt Suzuki strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Nationals 1, Dodgers 0.Nationals second. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Stephen Strasburg out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Max Muncy to Gavin Lux. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Victor Robles scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep center field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Dodgers 0.Dodgers sixth. Gavin Lux strikes out on a foul tip. Matt Beaty pinch-hitting for Clayton Kershaw. Matt Beaty singles to right field.... [More]

Dodgers first. A.J. Pollock walks. David Freese strikes out swinging. Justin Turner strikes out swinging. Cody Bellinger walks. A.J. Pollock to second. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy walks. Chris Taylor to second. Cody Bellinger to third. A.J. Pollock scores. Corey Seager grounds out to first base to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Dodgers 1, Nationals 0.Dodgers fifth. David Freese called out on strikes. Justin Turner strikes out swinging. Cody Bellinger walks. Chris Taylor singles to third base. Cody Bellinger to third. Max Muncy reaches on error. Chris Taylor out at home. Cody Bellinger scores. Fielding error by Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Nationals 0.Dodgers seventh. A.J. Pollock strikes out swinging. Joc Pederson pinch-hitting for David Freese. Joc Pederson walks. Justin Turner singles to shallow right field. Joc Pederson to third. Cody Bellinger called out on strikes. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy singles to right field. Chris Taylor... [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 are starting just one of their four rookies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.Will Smith is catching right-handed starter Walker Buehler on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals.Their other rookies _ first baseman Matt Beaty and second baseman Gavin Lux _ weren’t in the lineup, while reliever Dustin May could be used out of the bullpen.The Dodgers batting order is: Left fielder A.J. Pollock leading off, first baseman David Freese, third baseman Justin Turner, center fielder Cody Bellinger, right fielder Chris Taylor, second baseman Max Muncy, shortstop Corey Seager, Smith and Buehler.The Nationals lineup is: Shortstop Trea Turner leading off, right fielder Adam Eaton, third baseman Anthony Rendon, left fielder Juan Soto, second baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera, first baseman Matt Adams, center fielder Victor Robles, catcher Yan Gomes and left-handed starter Patrick Corbin.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, 7:45 p.m. (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy (.251, 35, 98, 90 walks, .374 OBP) or David Freese (.315, 11, 29) or Matt Beaty... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy (.251, 35, 98, 90 walks, .374 OBP) or David Freese (.315, 11, 29) or Matt Beaty (.265,... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy (.251, 35, 98, 90 walks, .374 OBP) or David Freese (.315, 11, 29) or Matt Beaty (.265,... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham walks. Yasmani Grandal homers to right field. Trent Grisham scores. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep left field to Juan Soto. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Nationals 0.Brewers second. Eric Thames homers to center field. Lorenzo Cain grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Brandon Woodruff out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Howie Kendrick to Asdrubal Cabrera. Orlando Arcia to second. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Max Scherzer grounds out to shortstop, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton pops out to shortstop to Orlando Arcia.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 1.Nationals eighth. Victor Robles strikes... [More]

A look at the National League wild-card game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals:___Schedule: Tuesday, at Washington, 8:08 p.m. EDT (TBS).___Season Series: Brewers won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Brewers: RF Trent Grisham (.231, 6 HRs, 24 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.246, 28, 77, 109 walks), 3B Mike Moustakas (.254, 35, 87), LF Ryan Braun (.285, 22, 75), 2B Keston Hiura (.303, 19, 49), 1B Eric Thames (.247, 25, 61), CF Lorenzo Cain (.260, 11, 48) or Ben Gamel (.248, 7, 33), SS Orlando Arcia (.223, 15, 59).Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19, 57, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63).___Starting Pitchers:Brewers: RH Brandon Woodruff... [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]