A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 27, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Houston, 8:08 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___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), DH Asdrúbal Cabrera (.260, 18, 91 in 131 games with Texas and Washington) or Matt Adams (.226, 20, 56, 115 Ks, 310 ABs in 111 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Brad Peacock is starting for the Houston Astros in Game 6 as they use a bullpen day to try to close out the AL Championship Series on Saturday night against a New York Yankees lineup again without slugger Giancarlo Stanton.Peacock threw eight pitches in a scoreless eighth inning on Friday night. He will become the fourth pitcher in MLB history to finish a postseason game and then start the next day, and the first since 1924.Manager AJ Hinch said he didn't even consider starting ace Gerrit Cole on short rest and feels confident going with Peacock after his solid outing in Game 5."He's really good at staying calm in what's going to be probably one of the more intense games that we've had this season up to date," Hinch said.The Yankees also are using a bullpen day and starting reliever Chad Green. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five appearances this postseason. He last pitched in Game 4 on Thursday night, when he allowed two hits and two runs in one inning.New York... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Brad Peacock is starting for the Houston Astros in Game 6 as they use a bullpen day to try to close out the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Saturday night.Peacock threw eight pitches in a scoreless eighth inning on Friday night. He will become the fourth pitcher in MLB history to finish a postseason game and then start the next day, and the first since 1924.Manager AJ Hinch said he didn't even consider starting ace Gerrit Cole on short rest and feels confident going with Peacock after his solid outing in Game 5."He's really good at staying calm in what's going to be probably one of the more intense games that we've had this season up to date," Hinch said.The Yankees also are using a bullpen day and starting reliever Chad Green. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five appearances this postseason. He last pitched on Thursday in Game 4 when he allowed two hits and two runs in one inning.Peacock, who has been a starter and also pitched out of the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Brad Peacock is starting for the Houston Astros in Game 6 as they use a bullpen day to try to close out the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Saturday night.Peacock threw eight pitches in a scoreless eighth inning on Friday night. He will become the fourth pitcher in MLB history to finish a postseason game and then start the next day, and the first since 1924.The Yankees also are using a bullpen day and starting reliever Chad Green. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five appearances this postseason. He last pitched on Thursday in Game 4 when he allowed two hits and two runs in one inning.Peacock, who has been a starter and also pitched out of the bullpen in his career, was left off the ALDS roster after missing time late in the season with discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Friday was his first appearance since Sept. 29.He has a 4.73 ERA in eight career postseason appearances with one start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Brad Peacock is starting for the Houston Astros in Game 6 as they use a bullpen day to try to close out the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Saturday night.Peacock threw eight pitches in a scoreless eighth inning on Friday night. He will become the fourth pitcher in MLB history to finish a postseason game and then start the next day, and the first since 1924.The right-hander who has been a starter and also pitched out of the bullpen in his career was left off the ALDS roster after missing time late in the season with discomfort in his throwing shoulder. Friday was his first appearance since Sept. 29.He has a 4.73 ERA in eight career postseason appearances with one start.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole may get a chance to punch the Houston Astros' ticket to the World Series.Only if Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and the rest of the New York Yankees' acclaimed relief corps force him to try.After staving off elimination with a 4-1 victory Friday night in the Bronx, the Yankees plan to unleash their fearsome relievers in Houston on Saturday during Game 6 of this AL Championship Series. The Astros lead the best-of-seven set 3-2 and will also lean on their bullpen, saving Cole to pitch a potential Game 7 on full rest.Hanging in the balance: a World Series date with the NL champion Washington Nationals."We obviously feel good about the bullpen days," Britton said. "We've had a lot of success doing it."Yankees opener extraordinaire Chad Green is likely to get the ball first, although manager Aaron Boone said he hadn't decided for sure. The rest of New York's core relief quintet — Chapman, Britton, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle — will surely follow. Boone said Luis... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole may get a chance to punch the Houston Astros' ticket to the World Series.Only if Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton and the rest of the New York Yankees' acclaimed relief corps force him to try.After staving off elimination with a 4-1 victory Friday night in the Bronx, the Yankees plan to unleash their fearsome relievers in Houston on Saturday during Game 6 of this AL Championship Series. The Astros lead the best-of-seven set 3-2 and will also lean on their bullpen, saving Cole to pitch a potential Game 7 on full rest.Hanging in the balance: a World Series date with the NL champion Washington Nationals."We obviously feel good about the bullpen days," Britton said. "We've had a lot of success doing it."Yankees opener extraordinaire Chad Green is likely to get the ball first, although manager Aaron Boone said he hadn't decided for sure. The rest of New York's core relief quintet — Chapman, Britton, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle — will surely follow. Boone said Luis... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Hicks and CC Sabathia were added to the New York Yankees' roster for the AL Championship Series against Houston, replacing Tyler Wade and Luke Voit.The Astros added right-handed relievers Brad Peacock and Bryan Abreu to their ALCS roster and left off starter Wade Miley and utility man Myles Straw.Hicks had been sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow. In the first season of a $70 million, seven-year contract, the 30-year-old switch-hitter batted .235 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs in 59 games. He began the season on the injured list after hurting his back early in spring training and didn't play his first game until May 15.Hicks could start in center field, causing Brett Gardner to shift to left and Giancarlo Stanton to designated hitter in moves that improve the Yankees' outfield defense.If New York wants to keep Edwin Encarnación in the starting lineup and sacrifice infield defense, Encarnación could start at first and DJ LeMahieu could... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Sunday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 3, Tuesday, at New York, 4:08 p.m; Game 4, Wednesday, at New York, 8:08 p.m.: x-Game 5, Thursday, at New York, 8:08 p.m; x-Game 6, Saturday, Oct. 19, at Houston, 4:08 p.m. or TBA; x-Game 7, Sunday, Oct. 20, at Houston, 7:38 p.m. (All games on Fox or FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Astros won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Yankees: 1B DJ LeMahieu (.327, 26 HRs, 102 RBIs), RF Aaron Judge (.272, 27, 55 in 102 games), CF Brett Gardner (.251, 28, 74), DH Edwin Encarnación (.244, 34, 86 in 109 games for Mariners and Yankees), LF Giancarlo Stanton (.288, 3, 13 in 18 games), 2B Gleyber Torres (.278, 38, 90), C Gary Sánchez (.232, 34, 77 in 106 games), SS Didi Gregorius (.238, 16, 61 in 82 games), 3B Gio Urshela (.314, 21, 74 in 132 games).Astros: CF George Springer (.292,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Starter Wade Miley made Houston's roster for the AL Division Series despite struggling for the last month.Miley's status for Houston's series against the Tampa Bay Rays was up in the air after the veteran left-hander had a 16.68 ERA in five starts in September. The Astros also included rookie José Urquidy, who along with Miley could be an option to start Game 4, on the roster. The Astros left veteran Brad Peacock off after he made just three appearances in September and missed almost a month dealing with shoulder soreness.For Tampa Bay, infielder Eric Sogard made the roster after being left off the wild-card roster because of a bruised foot. Sogard hasn't played since Sept. 15 because of the injury, but he said he was feeling good on Thursday and ready to return. Manager Kevin Cash said Sogard isn't 100 percent, but he's healthy enough to help them in this series.The Rays' roster also included relievers Yonny Chirinos and Brendan McKay. Houston included rookie outfielder Kyle Tucker and speedy utility man Myles Straw.The Astros will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players in the best-of-five series that begins on Friday. Tampa Bay's roster has 12 pitchers and 13 position players.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Starter Wade Miley made Houston's roster for the AL Division Series despite struggling for the last month.Miley's status for Houston's series against the Tampa Bay Rays was up in the air after the veteran left-hander had a 16.68 ERA in five starts in September. The Astros also included rookie José Urquidy, who along with Miley could be an option to start Game 4, on the roster. The Astros left veteran Brad Peacock off the roster after he made just three appearances in September after missing almost a month dealing with shoulder soreness.Houston also included rookie outfielder Kyle Tucker and speedy utility man Myles Straw on the roster.The Astros will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players in the best-of-five series which begins on Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Houston, 2:05 p.m. (FS1); Game 2, Saturday, at Houston, 9:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Tampa Bay, TBA (MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Tampa Bay, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at Houston, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Rays won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Rays: 2B Joey Wendle (.231, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs in 75 games), LF Tommy Pham (.273, 21, 68, 33 2Bs), RF Austin Meadows (.291, 33, 89 in 138 games), C Travis d'Arnaud (.263, 16, 67 in 92 games with Rays; .087, 0, 2 in 10 games with Mets, and 1 at-bat in only game with Dodgers), 1B Ji-Man Choi (.261, 19, 63) or Yandy Díaz (.267, 14, 38, .816 OPS in 79 games), DH Brandon Lowe (.270, 17, 51 in 82 games) or Avisail Garcia (.282, 20, 72, 25 2Bs in 125 games), 3B Matt Duffy (.252, 1, 12 in 46 games), CF Kevin Kiermaier (.228, 14, 55, 19 SBs in 129 games), SS Willy... [More]

Astros first. George Springer singles to right field. Jose Altuve doubles to deep left field. George Springer scores. Michael Brantley lines out to center field to Brian Goodwin. Jose Altuve to third. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Alex Bregman out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Angels 0.Astros second. Aledmys Diaz homers to center field. Martin Maldonado grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols. Myles Straw grounds out to third base, Matt Thaiss to Albert Pujols. George Springer homers to center field. Jose Altuve grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 3, Angels 0.Astros third. Michael Brantley flies out to right center field to Kole Calhoun. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez lines out to center field to Brian Goodwin. Yuli Gurriel homers to left field. Alex Bregman scores. Aledmys Diaz lines out... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander has been ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the sixth inning.Verlander thought he struck out Tommy Pham with one out and Houston leading 9-0. Instead the pitch was called a ball and the right-hander yelled something to home plate umpire Pat Hoberg.Pham then doubled to center field on Verlander's next pitch. After the hit Verlander yelled at Hoberg at least three times before he threw him out just as Pham reached second base.Verlander continued to jaw at Hoberg while he walked off the field and after he reached the dugout. Manager AJ Hinch came on the field and talked to Hoberg for a couple of minutes before Brad Peacock took over for Verlander and play resumed.Verlander allowed four hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings. He began the day with a 15-5 record and 2.77 ERA, and leading the majors in innings and strikeouts.___More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Zack Greinke's second start with the Houston Astros has been postponed by rain.The Astros were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, but the rain started to pick up in the afternoon and the game was quickly called.The teams will play a traditional doubleheader Tuesday. Greinke and Gerrit Cole will pitch for Houston, and rookie Dylan Cease and Iván Nova are the scheduled starters for Chicago.The 35-year-old Greinke was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Arizona on July 31, giving Houston another ace for its rotation. The six-time All-Star got the win in his Astros debut, pitching six innings of five-run ball in an 11-6 victory over Colorado on Tuesday.Houston has won 12 of 15 to open a 10-game lead in the AL West. It looked as if it was headed for its ninth straight win Sunday in Baltimore, but Roberto Osuna surrendered a two-run homer to Rio Ruiz with two out in the ninth inning of the Orioles' 8-7 victory.Houston's pitching... [More]

Jean Segura hit a three-run, walk-off homer against Edwin Díaz moments after Maikel Franco hit a tying, two-run shot against the closer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-3 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.New York's Todd Frazier hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Hector Neris with one out in the ninth, but the Phillies rallied in the bottom of the inning — their fourth straight win since utility man Brad Miller brought a bamboo plant into the clubhouse as a good-luck charm.Díaz (1-5) walked Cesar Hernandez to start, and Franco followed with his third homer of the series. He hit go-ahead, two-run homers in each of the first two games. Pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez walked with one out and advanced to second on Scott Kingery's hard-hit, bad-hop single off Frazier's glove at third.Segura then slammed his 10th homer into the seats in left. He leaped on his way down the first base line and got mobbed by teammates after circling the bases.It... [More]

Jean Segura hit a three-run, walk-off homer against Edwin Díaz moments after Maikel Franco hit a tying, two run shot against the closer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-3 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.New York's Todd Frazier hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Hector Neris with one out in the ninth, but the Phillies rallied in the bottom of the inning — their fourth straight win since utility man Brad Miller brought a bamboo plant into the clubhouse as a good-luck charm.Díaz (1-5) walked Cesar Hernandez to start, and Franco followed with his third homer of the series. He hit go-ahead, two-run homers in each of the first two games. Pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez walked with one out and advanced to second on Scott Kingery's hard-hit, bad-hop single off Frazier's glove at third.Segura then slammed his 10th homer into the seats in left. He leaped on his way down the first base line and got mobbed by teammates after circling the bases.It... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career."I loved it. More at-bats. That's the best part about it," Judge said after going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in a 4-1 victory. "Every time I came up it felt like there was somebody on base somewhere, so it's a good little spot. Hope it was not my last time doing it."Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order. Regular leadoff man DJ LeMahieu was rested."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career.Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order. Regular leadoff man DJ LeMahieu was rested."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public address announcer Paul Olden. Judge ran the count full his first time up before grounding out to first base against right-hander Brad Peacock.Astros skipper AJ Hinch deadpanned that Judge is the largest leadoff hitter he'll ever manage against."He brings an immediate... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking for a big start, the New York Yankees found an unorthodox spot for Aaron Judge in his long-awaited return to the lineup.After missing two months with a left oblique injury, Judge was back Friday night against Houston and batted leadoff for the first time in his major league career.Normally the team's No. 2 hitter, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger was moved to the top spot as manager Aaron Boone toys with how best to arrange his power-packed batting order."I'm just trying to get my best players up there as much as possible," Boone said.Judge received a boisterous ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd when No. 99 was introduced with a "Welcome back!" from public address announcer Paul Olden. Judge ran the count full his first time up before grounding out to first base against right-hander Brad Peacock.Astros skipper AJ Hinch deadpanned that Judge is the largest leadoff hitter he'll ever manage against."He brings an immediate threat from the first pitch of the game tonight,"... [More]