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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesMike Shildt has earned the full-time managerial job for the St. Louis Cardinals Bobby Jenks Jersey , agreeing to a three-year contract Tuesday, the team announced.Derrick Goold and Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchwere the first to report.The 50-year-old had been serving as the team's interim manager since Mike Matheny was fired in July. Over the next six weeks, Shildt helped transform the Cardinals from a middling squad into a playoff contender.After going 47-46 under Matheny, St. Louis entered Tuesday with a 26-12 record under the new leadership. The team currently holds the first wild-card spot in the National League and is only 4.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the Central division.While the organization had apparently been planning to conduct a search for a new manager in the offseason http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-michael-jordan-jersey , per Goold, Shildt was too impressive to ignore.Bob Nightengale of USA Today agreed with the team's strategy:Bob Nightengale BNightengaleMike Shildt certainly deserved to have the interim tag taken off with the job he鈥檚 done with the #STLCardsThis has been Shildt's first opportunity as a major league manager after serving as a bench coach at the start of the season. However, he has plenty of experience as a skipper in the minors coming into this season.According toJared Diamondof theWall Street Journal, he started with the Cardinals organization in 2004 and has "done just about everything...from scouting to player development to coaching." He was the team's Triple-A manager last season.He has turned this experience into a full-time manager job with St. Louis as he tries to bring the club back to prominence for the rest of this season and beyond. The New York Mets announced Wednesday left fielder Yoenis Cespedes will miss the rest of the 2018 MLB season in order to undergo surgery on both heels.Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said the outfielder faces an eight-to-10-month recovery timetable Carlton Fisk Jersey , per Mike Puma of the New York Post. Rizzo also noted the Mets have an insurance policy on Cespedes' contract.This is far from the first setback for the slugger, as he suffered theheel injuryafter missing significant time with a hip problemearlier in the campaign.When healthy, Cespedes is one of the best players in the Mets lineup as a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner and Silver Slugger winner. He played just 81 games in 2017 and 38 games in 2018 prior to his heel setback http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-abreu-jersey , but he tallied 35 home runs and 105 RBI in 2015 with the Mets and Detroit Tigers and 31 long balls and 86 RBI in 2016 with New York.Injuries have prevented Cespedes from reaching his full potential on the Mets, and the National League East team has grown accustomed to playing without his power in the lineup.It will need to do so again following this latest setback and will likely turn toward the combination of Michael Conforto, Jose Bautista and Matthew den Dekker in left field for the rest of 2018.Cespedes is going to need a setback-free recovery to be ready for the start of next season.

Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco Babe Ruth Jersey , who is expected to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros on Saturday, will start the Indians‘ final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.Carrasco isn’t expected to go more than 70 or 80 pitches, as manager Terry Francona wants to keep the 31-year-old right-hander fresh for his start in Houston.“We need to get Carlos ready,” Francona said.Article continues below ...Trevor Bauer will follow Carrasco to the mound. The Indians have yet to decide whether Bauer will be used as a starter or reliever in the postseason.Carrasco’s last appearance came as a reliever Sept. 25, a 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Carrasco in that game relieved Bauer in the fifth inning, as the two starters were getting limited work in preparation for the postseason.In that relief stint, Carrasco pitched four scoreless innings on one hit before giving up a walk, three consecutive singles and three runs in the ninth inning. In 4 1/3 innings overall, he allowed three runs and four hits, with eight strikeouts and four walks.“Carlos was very good until the ninth inning http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-david-ortiz-jersey ,” Francona said.Carrasco’s last win came Aug. 28. He is 0-3 with a 3.62 ERA in five appearances (four starts) since.His last start against Kansas City, his only outing against the Royals this year, came in his second start of the season, a 3-2 win on April 6. In that game, Carrasco pitching six innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with four strikeouts and one walk. In 23 career appearances (18 starts) against the Royals, Carrasco is 10-6 with a 3.55 ERA.The Indians go into Sunday’s game with a record of 90-71. It’s the third time in team history that they have had three consecutive seasons with 90 or more wins. The other two times were from 1999-2001, and from 1950-1955.The Indians’ starting lineup Sunday will probably be the one they use in Game 1 of the Division Series against Houston, which will include Jason Kipnis in center field.Kipnis was moved from second base to the outfield after the Indians traded for third baseman Josh Donaldson at the end of August.Donaldson’s arrival pushed Jose Ramirez from third to second base Bobby Doerr Jersey , and Kipnis from second to center field, where he’s played well offensively and defensively. Kipnis is hitting .275 as a center fielder after hitting .228 while at second base.“He looks more comfortable out there in center. He looks pretty good,” Francona said.The Royals (58-103) will conclude the season with left-hander Eric Skoglund on the mound. Skoglund (1-5, 5.40) will make his 13th start of the season. He missed three months with a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.His last start was an abbreviated one. On Sept. 25, he got no decision in a 4-3 Royals win over the Cincinnati Reds. Skoglund pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up one hit but left the game after a long rain delay.Skoglund’s only win of the season came April 28. In nine appearances (eight starts) since then, he is 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA.His last start against Cleveland, on Aug. 27, 2017, was ugly. In 1 1/3 innings, he gave up seven runs and seven hits http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-jimmie-foxx-jersey , with one strikeout and two walks.In two career appearances against the Indians, Skoglund is 0-2 with a 29.70 ERA, having given up 11 runs, 11 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Heading into the final weekend of the 2018 Major League Baseball season, Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox and Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers are favored to win their respective league's MVP award.Per Odds Shark, Yelich is an even-money favorite to capture the National League honor. Betts is a -200(bet $200 to win $100)to take home the AL trophy.OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win National League MVP (BovadaOfficial):Christian Yelich EVENJavier Baez +135 Nolan Arenado +550Matt Carpenter +700Paul Goldschmidt +850OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win American League MVP (BovadaOfficial):Mookie Betts -200Mike Trout +300J.D. Martinez +500Jose Ramirez +700Using some traditional stats, Betts' teammate J.D. Martinez would likely be the leading candidate. Martinez's 127 RBI lead MLB and his 42 homers rank second.Advanced metrics, though, point to Betts being the AL's best player in 2018.Craig Edwardsof FanGraphs noted how special the Red Sox right fielder has been this season."What makes this campaign especially historic is that Betts has reached double-digits in WAR (10.1) for the year," Edwards wrote. "Since 1901 Johnny Pesky Jersey , there have only been 50 10-plus WAR seasons. Since 1947, there have only been 23 10-plus WAR seasons. Betts鈥?2018 campaign is just the 12th 10-plus WAR year in the past 50 seasons."Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is having another outstanding season鈥攈is .462 on-base percentage is 25 points higher than Betts (.437) and his 1.090 OPS leads MLB. The two-time AL MVP could be punished in the voting because his team is currently 78-81 and won't make the playoffs.Yelich has the perfect combination of performance and narrative working in his favor. The 2018 All-Star leads NL position players inFanGraphs WAR(6.9), batting average (.321), slugging percentage (.583), is tied for fourth in RBI (104) and tied for seventh in homers (33).The Brewers clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.Javier Baez of the Chicago Cubs is Yelich's closest MVP competition among bettors at +135. He leads the NL with 111 RBI and has played four different positions鈥攆irst base, second base, third base and shortstop鈥攖his season due to injuries.The Cubs currently lead the Brewers by 0.5 games in the NL Central, leaving the possibility that the MVP will be determined by the team that finishes atop the standings after the final day of the season on Sunday.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount after he made contact with home-plate umpire Nic Lentz while arguing balls and strikes during Friday's 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers Kole Calhoun Jersey , according to MLB.com.Bench coach Josh Bard is expected to serve as acting manager for Sunday's series finale against Detroit, per Jack Curry of YES Network.With his team trailing 3-0 and being no-hit by Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann into the fifth inning of Friday night's contest, Boone had had enough of Lentz's strike zone. While Lentz warned Boone not to argue balls and strikes, the skipper emerged from the New York dugout, getting tossed in the process, and gave the umpire an earful. In doing so, though, the irate manager bumped his hat into the umpire's head.An infielder throughout his playing career, the 45-year-old Boone went on to do his best catcher impression to show Lentz what should be called a strike and what should be a ball.Bill Kostroun/Associated PressAfterward, Boone explained his ejection:"I hadn't stretched yet, so I wanted to make sure I was good and loose," Boone said, viaESPN'sColey Harvey. "I guess, [it was about] giving my kids something to make fun of me about."That outburst seemed to give the team some life. The Yankees would go on to take the lead in the next inning with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. They outscored the Tigers 7-2 over the final four frames following Boone's ejection.New York players let it be known after the game that they appreciated their manager sticking up for them."It was great Garrett Richards Jersey ," Yankees pitcher Luis Severino said, via Harvey. "That's how a manager has to act in that situation."Severino wasn't the only one to show his support for Boone, though."He protected all the guys, for sure," New York rookie Gleyber Torres, who was at the plate at the time of the ejection, said, via Harvey. "He's the manager. He does a good job, and we're proud for that. After that, we started [to get] a little more excited and we tried to win."Boone will be eligible to return to the dugout when the Yankees face the Oakland Athletics on Monday afternoon. WASHINGTON (AP) — With a bottle of bubbly at his feet and a baseball with the inscription “300 Ks” in a case in his locker, Max Scherzer allowed himself a moment to consider what he’d just accomplished.“It was something I dreamed of, reaching this mark,” Scherzer said, “because I know how hard it is to consistently go out there and strike guys out.”Scherzer became the 17th pitcher since 1900 to strike out 300 batters in a season Andrew Heaney Jersey , reaching that milestone by fanning 10 in seven innings Tuesday night during the Washington Nationals‘ otherwise meaningless 9-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.“A big number,” Nationals catcher Matt Wieters said, “when you’re talking about strikeouts.”Scherzer (18-7) lowered his ERA to 2.53 by allowing one run in seven innings as he bids for a third consecutive NL Cy Young Award; he also won the 2013 honor in the AL for Detroit. He threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes, gave up five hits and didn’t walk a batter.The righty reached 300 by getting Austin Dean to whiff on an 85-mph slider at the end of a 10-pitch at-bat for the second out of the seventh. Scherzer pumped his fist while much of the announced crowd of 26,483 — including his wife, Erica May-Scherzer — joined players in the home dugout and home bullpen by saluting the ace with a standing ovation.“I definitely wanted to do it here at home,” said the 34-year-old Scherzer, who is currently slated to make one more start, in Sunday’s season finale at Colorado. “The fans — unbelievable support.”They would chant, “Let’s go, Max!” They would rise and cheer when he had two strikes on a hitter. They would emit a collective “Awwwwwww” when a pitch near the plate was ruled a ball — or even when a pitch resulted in any sort of out that wouldn’t add to his strikeout total.Sweating profusely on a muggy, 78-degree evening, Scherzer had all of his repertoire working, from the 97-mph fastballs he threw past Lewis Brinson for strikeouts in the fourth and seventh innings Huston Street Jersey , to the 84-mph changeup that JT Riddle missed for a K leading off the game.As is Scherzer’s wont, he stalked around the grass after strikeouts.Asked whether he considered pulling his famously intense pitcher before No. 300, Nationals manager Dave Martinez laughed.“I value my life,” Martinez joked. “He was going to get 10 today, somehow.”Scherzer now has 10 strikeouts or more in a majors-high 18 of his 33 starts in 2018, and 82 such games for his career.He got Dean by throwing fastball after fastball with a full count, then getting him to chase a slider.“That’s probably where you can see Max has become a more complete pitcher than he was earlier in his career,” Wieters said, “where he was able to go with the slider and execute it and realize that with where that fastball was starting, (Dean is) going to be way out in front of it.”Dean’s take?“He’s the best pitcher in baseball,” the Marlins rookie said.The case certainly can be made. This is, after all, a guy with two no-hitters and a 20-strikeout game on his resume, along with the Cy Youngs.Scherzer entered Tuesday ranked No. 1 in the NL in eight significant statistical categories http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-rod-carew-jersey , including strikeouts, strikeouts-to-walks ratio (5.69), opponents’ batting average (.188) and innings pitched (213 2/3). He was also tied for No. 1 in two others: wins and quality starts (27).The expectation is that Scherzer and New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom are the main Cy Young contenders in the NL. DeGrom is 9-9 with a 1.77 ERA and single-season records of 23 consecutive quality starts and 28 starts in a row allowing three or fewer earned runs.“There’s more to pitching than just striking guys out,” Scherzer said, “but also, it is a big reason why you can have success.”RENDON AND HARPERNationals 3B Anthony Rendon hit a three-run shot in the first inning off Jeff Brigham (0-4), increasing his season totals to 24 homers and 90 RBIs and extending his streak of reaching base to 33 straight games. Rendon added an RBI double in the seventh, when Washington batted around and tacked on six runs. … Bryce Harper scored twice to surpass 100 runs for the season; he already had a career-best 100 RBIs and more than 100 walks. Harper can become a free agent in the offseason, so Wednesday’s series finale could be the 2015 NL MVP’s last home game at Nationals Park.UP NEXTThe Nationals will give 26-year-old RHP Kyle McGowin his first start in the majors Wednesday. Miami will start LHP Wei-Yin Chen (6-11, 4.66 ERA).

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesVideo has emerged of the 2014 brawl outside of an Illinois strip club involving St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez and then-Miami Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna.The video http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-christian-mccaffrey-jersey , which was taken by a cab driver and published Friday by theSt. Louis Post Dispatch's Christine Byers, allegedly shows Martinez "rushing toward a crowd of about a dozen people gathered near a barbecue stand and appearing to throw at least one punch before bouncers push him back."Byers added that Ozuna allegedly canbe seen punchingAndrew D'Angelo鈥攚ho filed civil suits against Ozuna and Martinez.(Warning: video contains profanity.)Ozuna, now a member of the Cardinals reportedly reached a settlement with D'Angelo. However, Martinez is still being sued for more than $150,000 to cover "significant medical injuries."Former Cardinals outfielderOscar Taveras, who died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2014, was also with Ozuna and Martinez at the time of the fight.Criminal chargeswere not filed after D'Angelo told police he didn't want to cooperate with the investigation.The civil suit against Martinez will reportedly go to trial in May 2019. Tim Warner/Getty ImagesThe World Series champion Houston Astros will try to continue their recent success at Fenway Park on Saturday http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/baker-mayfield-jersey , when they visit the Boston Red Sox as small road underdogs at sportsbooks for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.The Astros have won six of their past nine games against the Red Sox at Fenway, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, and knocked them out of last year's playoffs with a 5-4 victory in Game 4 there. Boston will be out to avenge that defeat. MLB betting line: The Red Sox opened as -110 favorites (wager $110 to win $100); the total is at seven runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.5-2.1, Astros.MLB picks on every game.Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or Spotify or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Astros Can Pay on the MLB LinesHouston may be a slight underdog in Game 1 but is favored to win the series as an even better team statistically than last year. The Astros won two more games during the regular season this year than last and four more on the road Authentic Baker Mayfield Jersey , where they led MLB with an outstanding 57-24 mark.In fact, Houston's road record was better than every other team's in baseball at home except that of Boston, which went 57-24 at Fenway. The Astros will send Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA) to the mound in the series opener, and he earned three-quarters of his wins away from home in 2018, going 12-2 with a 2.14 ERA.Why the Red Sox Can Pay on the MLB LinesThe Red Sox will count on ace Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA) to come through for them in this crucial spot Greg Joseph Jersey Elite , and he picked up a victory in Game 1 of the AL Division Series versus the New York Yankees after allowing two runs and five hits in 5.1 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.Sale let his team down in last year's ALDS matchup and will be out to redeem himself here, and Boston's bats have improved since then, with the two league MVP favorites in Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. While Betts is expected to win MVP honors, Martinez has been much better in the playoffs with a .357 batting average, one home run and six RBI in the four-game series win over New York. Smart Betting PickMartinez may make the difference for the Red Sox this time around, as he has hit well against most of Houston's pitchers over the course of his career, including Verlander (2-for-3 with two RBI). That said http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/greg-joseph-jersey , this is a must-win matchup for the Red Sox鈥攁nd especially Sale. If they lose Game 1, they will be big dogs to win the series. That will not happen.MLB Betting TrendsThe total has gone over in five of Houston's past six games when playing Boston.Boston is 4-1 in its past five games.The total has gone over in seven of Boston's past nine games. All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.

Although Robinson Cano is ready to return from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs Kolten Wong Jersey , his comeback is doomed to be short-lived. Even if the Seattle Mariners qualify for the postseason, Cano will be ineligible to participate.Meanwhile, in Houston, Roberto Osuna is fresh off a 75-game banfor violating Major League Baseball'sdomestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. And he's ready, willing and permitted to help the Astros win a second straight World Series championship.Something seems wrong, no?If the question is how much cynicism MLB is willing to tolerate, there is.For their part, Cano and the Mariners would undoubtedly love to be together if the team does indeed make its first postseason since 2001. He betrayed everyone's trust when he got popped for using a banned masking agent,but he's still a $240 million megastar who had been going strong (see his .825 OPS) even at the age of 35.However, this isn't about what's best for Cano and the Mariners.Mark Cunningham/Getty ImagesAlong with harsher regular-season penalties, postseasonbans became an official part of MLB's and the MLB Players Association's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in 2014. That promised an additional blow to violators' wallets. It would also bar them from redemption on baseball's biggest stage."Our hope here is that the adjustments that we鈥檝e made do inevitably get [the number of violators] to zero," said MLBPA chief Tony Clark, per the Associated Press (via theNew York Times). He added: "I am hopeful that players make the right decisions that are best for them, for their careers and for the integrity of the game."Clark may be getting his wish.Per Baseball-Almanac.com, there were 21 PED suspensions in 2012 and 2013 alone. There have been only 22 since 2014. Not surprisingly, none of the players involved was traded to a contender later in a given season.Which brings us back to Osuna and a cringe-worthy situation that might be avoided in the future.Since the details of his case are being kept under wraps, only so much is known about how, exactly, the former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander has found himself in hot water. But there is a clear timeline:May 8:Osuna isarrested and charged with assault of a female victimMay 17: According toVjosa Isai and Wendy Gillisof theToronto Star,Osuna is ordered to stay away from a specific Toronto building, not communicate with his alleged victim and not consume alcohol or possess weaponsJune 18:Osuna's attorney, Domenic Basile, confirms to Betsy Powell of Star that the charge revolves around an "alleged domestic abuse" for which Osunawill plead not guiltyJune 22:MLB concludes its investigation, and Commissioner Rob Manfred hands Osuna the third-longest suspension under its domestic violence policy Trevor Rosenthal Jersey , which went into effect August 2015July 30:Following supposed "unprecedented" due diligence, the Astrosacquire Osuna from the Blue JaysAugust 6:Osuna returns to the moundWhile Osuna's suspension is over, his criminal case is not.According to Matt Young of theHouston Chronicle, the All-Star closer has a court date in Toronto on Sept. 5. Basile plans to seek a postponement and a "peace bond," which would result in the charges being dropped in exchange for Osuna's promise that he will stay on good behavior.If that doesn't pan out, things will proceed and possibly result in Osuna being convicted and/orbarred entry from the United States.In the meantime, the Astros have a public relations nightmare on their hands.There's no taking issue with the actual content of the trade. Houston only sent three spare assets (right-handers Ken Giles, David Paulino and Hector Perez) to Toronto in exchange for Osuna, who's still only 23 and under team control through 2020.Still, general manager Jeff Luhnow sought to get out ahead of the inevitable backlash. Thus came astatement that expressed confidence that "Osuna is remorseful" and that he'll "fully comply with our zero tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind."Luhnow's bit on "zero tolerance" was rightfully panned as being blatantly disingenuous, however. The bit about Osuna being remorsefulearned a pointed clarification from Basile. Via ESPN's Buster Olney:Buster Olney Buster_ESPNRoberto Osunas lawyer speaking about the word quot;remorsefulquot; that was used by the Astros in reference to their new reliever: quot;My client is not remorseful of being guilty of any criminal activity,quot; Basile said Wednesday. quot;Hes obviously remorseful of the circumstances.quot;Luhnow may have been hoping that his team and its fans would graciously accept Osuna, but there's been some hesitance for both. Ace pitcher Justin Verlander referred to the trade as a "tough situation." When one female fan expressed her frustration on social media, the reaction was swift and severe."Astros fans have always stuck together," the fan told Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle. "It was crazy to see how this trade tore them apart a little. Everyone took a side."But then, it's doubtful that Luhnow and the rest of Houston's decision-makers ever thought everything would be hunky-dory after they went ahead with the trade. Or even cared, for that matter.They're poker-faced pragmatists whose chief concern is winning another World Series.Since there's no guarantee that Osuna's legal situation will keep him on the field beyond 2018, that was almost certainly the Astros' primary motivation in trading for himnow rather than waiting until after he had cleared his suspension and/or his name. If it ends with Osuna getting the last out in the World Series, they're not going to be quick to regret it.This isn't the first situation of its kind that MLB has encountered in the years since it implemented its domestic policy. That distinction belongs to Aroldis Chapman, who still bears a scarlet letter after his girlfriend told police he choked her during an argument inOctober 2015.But even with him, there's no comparison to Osuna.Elsa/Getty ImagesChapman hadn't been charged when the New Yankees first acquiredhim from the Cincinnati Reds in December 2015, and he ultimately never was. And while the Chicago Cubs eventually traded for him in July and he helped them win their first World Series in 108 years, that was after the flame-throwing lefty had already served a30-game suspension.Granted, Major League Baseball may never be able to implement a perfect domestic violence policy鈥擣anGraphs' Sheryl Ring wrote an excellent rundown of the complications on that front. But for the sake of its reputation with the legions of baseball fans withactualzero tolerance policies for such matters, theunparalleled cynical nature of the Osuna trade should have the league scrambling to try to do better.Given the latest circumstances http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-jedd-gyorko-jersey , the most apparent way to do that is by copying the postseason ban portion of the Joint Drug Agreement and pasting it onto the domestic violence policy. If it must only come in tandem with a specific regular-season suspension threshold鈥攕ay, 50 games鈥攖hen so be it.If nothing else, it would add another layer of deterrence for players. It could also help prevent trades like one that sent Osuna to Houston, in which the acquiring team elevates baseball matters above basic human decency.Understand, this isn't about drawing a moral equivalence between the transgressions of Cano and Osuna.Assuming hisexcuseof trying to treat a medical condition is as bunk as it sounds, Cano was only trying to improve his ability to entertain. He just didn't do so in a way that MLB has deemed appropriate.Relative to that, an alleged act of violence against another human being is more severe.Ultimately, this is about what MLB must do to be both a lucrative institution and one that its fans can be proud of. To this end, more compassion and a little consistency would be a good start. PHOENIX — After signing Zack Greinke in late 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a trade designed to turn them into an instant contender. It did not work as intended, but Atlanta is not complaining. The Braves acquired Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson, adding them to a group of veterans and up-and-coming young players who helped make the Braves relevant again.Article continues below ...After finishing a combined 71 games below .500 in the previous three seasons, the Braves have a 3 1/2-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East entering the final game of a four-game series on Sunday in Arizona.Inciarte and Swanson — the principles sent from Arizona to Atlanta for right-hander Shelby Miller in a deal that was widely panned at the time — have helped. Inciarte leads the Braves and is fifth in the NL with 25 stolen bases. Swanson has 55 RBIs for a team that is second in the NL in runs.Miller has missed most of the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery.Swanson threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the Braves’ 5-4, 10-inning victory on Saturday. “Everybody knows the last couple of years have not been the best around here, but to be in this situation now is great,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “I’ve been through it all, so this is great when you start winning again. It is kind of like when I just got called up. We were winning all the time. We have the right group of people in this clubhouse to hopefully carry us into the postseason.”Another former Diamondbacks prospect, right-hander Touki Toussaint (1-1), is scheduled to make his third career start Sunday opposite Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (5-2) as the teams shoot for a series split.Toussaint, like Swanson a Diamondbacks first-round draft pick, was traded to Atlanta in mid-2015 along with veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo and his $9.5 million contract when management ordered a payroll cut.“It feels great to be a part of this,” Enciarte said. “The goal is to play meaningful games in September. You see new guys, but you see everybody developing quick. It wasn’t bad years at all.“I know the Diamondbacks are in a great position. We are in a good position, too. Both teams are winning, and I know we are happy with what we have. We don’t look back on what happened because we believe everything happens for a reason. We’re here where we want to be Carlos Martinez Jersey , and we want to be a part of this for a long time.”The Diamondbacks begin a seven-game road trip with the opener of a four-game series in Colorado on Monday, part of a schedule that could include a major league-record 17 straight games against division leaders. They play Colorado twice, Houston and the Chicago Cubs in the next two weeks.“September baseball, when you are in a pennant race is pressure enough,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.“So I don’t want any situation to override how they perform. How do I do that? Different ways with different guys. Distract them. Make them smile. Make them laugh. Make them remember how good they are and how fun the game is when you are doing your job.”Atlanta has seven games remaining against Philadelphia and three against St. Louis.Ray, who has a 4.25 ERA in 19 starts, gets the start after his most effective outing of the season, a 6-0 victory in which he struck out 10 and gave up two singles in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.“My last two starts are about as mechanically sound as I’ve felt all year,” Ray said. “It’s a combination of my direction to the plate and my tempo. Just getting the ball back, getting back on the mound and going. I think that’s the biggest thing, not too much time between pitches.” Ray, who missed two months because of an oblique injury, is 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in his last three starts. He had a good feel for his curveball in the victory over the Padres.“I think I have thrown it more often lately because it is a pitch I feel I can also land (in the strike zone) but also bounce,” Ray said.Ray has lost both of his career starts against Atlanta with a 4.82 ERA.Toussaint beat Miami in his first major league start on Aug. 13 and lost his most recent, an 8-2 defeat to Boston last Sunday in which gave up three runs and struck out six in 4 2/3 innings. He threw four scoreless innings before the Red Sox knocked him out in the fifth.“I haven’t liked him, I’ve loved him,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.“He’s very impressive young man. Very impressive player. Carries himself very well. Love his assortment. His arsenal is very good. He’s a very athletic kid. He’s handled himself tremendous in the two starts he’s hard here.” Toussaint was 9-6 in 24 minor league starts this season, going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Gwinnett.He has not appeared fazed by being thrust into a pennant race.“He faced the best team in baseball the other day and did a really good job,” Snitker said. “The maturity, the game awareness, how he’s handled himself. The whole thing has been very impressive.”

Although Robinson Cano is ready to return from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs Kolten Wong Jersey , his comeback is doomed to be short-lived. Even if the Seattle Mariners qualify for the postseason, Cano will be ineligible to participate.Meanwhile, in Houston, Roberto Osuna is fresh off a 75-game banfor violating Major League Baseball'sdomestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. And he's ready, willing and permitted to help the Astros win a second straight World Series championship.Something seems wrong, no?If the question is how much cynicism MLB is willing to tolerate, there is.For their part, Cano and the Mariners would undoubtedly love to be together if the team does indeed make its first postseason since 2001. He betrayed everyone's trust when he got popped for using a banned masking agent,but he's still a $240 million megastar who had been going strong (see his .825 OPS) even at the age of 35.However, this isn't about what's best for Cano and the Mariners.Mark Cunningham/Getty ImagesAlong with harsher regular-season penalties, postseasonbans became an official part of MLB's and the MLB Players Association's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in 2014. That promised an additional blow to violators' wallets. It would also bar them from redemption on baseball's biggest stage."Our hope here is that the adjustments that we鈥檝e made do inevitably get [the number of violators] to zero," said MLBPA chief Tony Clark, per the Associated Press (via theNew York Times). He added: "I am hopeful that players make the right decisions that are best for them, for their careers and for the integrity of the game."Clark may be getting his wish.Per Baseball-Almanac.com, there were 21 PED suspensions in 2012 and 2013 alone. There have been only 22 since 2014. Not surprisingly, none of the players involved was traded to a contender later in a given season.Which brings us back to Osuna and a cringe-worthy situation that might be avoided in the future.Since the details of his case are being kept under wraps, only so much is known about how, exactly, the former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander has found himself in hot water. But there is a clear timeline:May 8:Osuna isarrested and charged with assault of a female victimMay 17: According toVjosa Isai and Wendy Gillisof theToronto Star,Osuna is ordered to stay away from a specific Toronto building, not communicate with his alleged victim and not consume alcohol or possess weaponsJune 18:Osuna's attorney, Domenic Basile, confirms to Betsy Powell of Star that the charge revolves around an "alleged domestic abuse" for which Osunawill plead not guiltyJune 22:MLB concludes its investigation, and Commissioner Rob Manfred hands Osuna the third-longest suspension under its domestic violence policy Trevor Rosenthal Jersey , which went into effect August 2015July 30:Following supposed "unprecedented" due diligence, the Astrosacquire Osuna from the Blue JaysAugust 6:Osuna returns to the moundWhile Osuna's suspension is over, his criminal case is not.According to Matt Young of theHouston Chronicle, the All-Star closer has a court date in Toronto on Sept. 5. Basile plans to seek a postponement and a "peace bond," which would result in the charges being dropped in exchange for Osuna's promise that he will stay on good behavior.If that doesn't pan out, things will proceed and possibly result in Osuna being convicted and/orbarred entry from the United States.In the meantime, the Astros have a public relations nightmare on their hands.There's no taking issue with the actual content of the trade. Houston only sent three spare assets (right-handers Ken Giles, David Paulino and Hector Perez) to Toronto in exchange for Osuna, who's still only 23 and under team control through 2020.Still, general manager Jeff Luhnow sought to get out ahead of the inevitable backlash. Thus came astatement that expressed confidence that "Osuna is remorseful" and that he'll "fully comply with our zero tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind."Luhnow's bit on "zero tolerance" was rightfully panned as being blatantly disingenuous, however. The bit about Osuna being remorsefulearned a pointed clarification from Basile. Via ESPN's Buster Olney:Buster Olney Buster_ESPNRoberto Osunas lawyer speaking about the word quot;remorsefulquot; that was used by the Astros in reference to their new reliever: quot;My client is not remorseful of being guilty of any criminal activity,quot; Basile said Wednesday. quot;Hes obviously remorseful of the circumstances.quot;Luhnow may have been hoping that his team and its fans would graciously accept Osuna, but there's been some hesitance for both. Ace pitcher Justin Verlander referred to the trade as a "tough situation." When one female fan expressed her frustration on social media, the reaction was swift and severe."Astros fans have always stuck together," the fan told Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle. "It was crazy to see how this trade tore them apart a little. Everyone took a side."But then, it's doubtful that Luhnow and the rest of Houston's decision-makers ever thought everything would be hunky-dory after they went ahead with the trade. Or even cared, for that matter.They're poker-faced pragmatists whose chief concern is winning another World Series.Since there's no guarantee that Osuna's legal situation will keep him on the field beyond 2018, that was almost certainly the Astros' primary motivation in trading for himnow rather than waiting until after he had cleared his suspension and/or his name. If it ends with Osuna getting the last out in the World Series, they're not going to be quick to regret it.This isn't the first situation of its kind that MLB has encountered in the years since it implemented its domestic policy. That distinction belongs to Aroldis Chapman, who still bears a scarlet letter after his girlfriend told police he choked her during an argument inOctober 2015.But even with him, there's no comparison to Osuna.Elsa/Getty ImagesChapman hadn't been charged when the New Yankees first acquiredhim from the Cincinnati Reds in December 2015, and he ultimately never was. And while the Chicago Cubs eventually traded for him in July and he helped them win their first World Series in 108 years, that was after the flame-throwing lefty had already served a30-game suspension.Granted, Major League Baseball may never be able to implement a perfect domestic violence policy鈥擣anGraphs' Sheryl Ring wrote an excellent rundown of the complications on that front. But for the sake of its reputation with the legions of baseball fans withactualzero tolerance policies for such matters, theunparalleled cynical nature of the Osuna trade should have the league scrambling to try to do better.Given the latest circumstances http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-jedd-gyorko-jersey , the most apparent way to do that is by copying the postseason ban portion of the Joint Drug Agreement and pasting it onto the domestic violence policy. If it must only come in tandem with a specific regular-season suspension threshold鈥攕ay, 50 games鈥攖hen so be it.If nothing else, it would add another layer of deterrence for players. It could also help prevent trades like one that sent Osuna to Houston, in which the acquiring team elevates baseball matters above basic human decency.Understand, this isn't about drawing a moral equivalence between the transgressions of Cano and Osuna.Assuming hisexcuseof trying to treat a medical condition is as bunk as it sounds, Cano was only trying to improve his ability to entertain. He just didn't do so in a way that MLB has deemed appropriate.Relative to that, an alleged act of violence against another human being is more severe.Ultimately, this is about what MLB must do to be both a lucrative institution and one that its fans can be proud of. To this end, more compassion and a little consistency would be a good start. PHOENIX — After signing Zack Greinke in late 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a trade designed to turn them into an instant contender. It did not work as intended, but Atlanta is not complaining. The Braves acquired Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson, adding them to a group of veterans and up-and-coming young players who helped make the Braves relevant again.Article continues below ...After finishing a combined 71 games below .500 in the previous three seasons, the Braves have a 3 1/2-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East entering the final game of a four-game series on Sunday in Arizona.Inciarte and Swanson — the principles sent from Arizona to Atlanta for right-hander Shelby Miller in a deal that was widely panned at the time — have helped. Inciarte leads the Braves and is fifth in the NL with 25 stolen bases. Swanson has 55 RBIs for a team that is second in the NL in runs.Miller has missed most of the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery.Swanson threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the Braves’ 5-4, 10-inning victory on Saturday. “Everybody knows the last couple of years have not been the best around here, but to be in this situation now is great,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “I’ve been through it all, so this is great when you start winning again. It is kind of like when I just got called up. We were winning all the time. We have the right group of people in this clubhouse to hopefully carry us into the postseason.”Another former Diamondbacks prospect, right-hander Touki Toussaint (1-1), is scheduled to make his third career start Sunday opposite Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (5-2) as the teams shoot for a series split.Toussaint, like Swanson a Diamondbacks first-round draft pick, was traded to Atlanta in mid-2015 along with veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo and his $9.5 million contract when management ordered a payroll cut.“It feels great to be a part of this,” Enciarte said. “The goal is to play meaningful games in September. You see new guys, but you see everybody developing quick. It wasn’t bad years at all.“I know the Diamondbacks are in a great position. We are in a good position, too. Both teams are winning, and I know we are happy with what we have. We don’t look back on what happened because we believe everything happens for a reason. We’re here where we want to be Carlos Martinez Jersey , and we want to be a part of this for a long time.”The Diamondbacks begin a seven-game road trip with the opener of a four-game series in Colorado on Monday, part of a schedule that could include a major league-record 17 straight games against division leaders. They play Colorado twice, Houston and the Chicago Cubs in the next two weeks.“September baseball, when you are in a pennant race is pressure enough,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.“So I don’t want any situation to override how they perform. How do I do that? Different ways with different guys. Distract them. Make them smile. Make them laugh. Make them remember how good they are and how fun the game is when you are doing your job.”Atlanta has seven games remaining against Philadelphia and three against St. Louis.Ray, who has a 4.25 ERA in 19 starts, gets the start after his most effective outing of the season, a 6-0 victory in which he struck out 10 and gave up two singles in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.“My last two starts are about as mechanically sound as I’ve felt all year,” Ray said. “It’s a combination of my direction to the plate and my tempo. Just getting the ball back, getting back on the mound and going. I think that’s the biggest thing, not too much time between pitches.” Ray, who missed two months because of an oblique injury, is 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in his last three starts. He had a good feel for his curveball in the victory over the Padres.“I think I have thrown it more often lately because it is a pitch I feel I can also land (in the strike zone) but also bounce,” Ray said.Ray has lost both of his career starts against Atlanta with a 4.82 ERA.Toussaint beat Miami in his first major league start on Aug. 13 and lost his most recent, an 8-2 defeat to Boston last Sunday in which gave up three runs and struck out six in 4 2/3 innings. He threw four scoreless innings before the Red Sox knocked him out in the fifth.“I haven’t liked him, I’ve loved him,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.“He’s very impressive young man. Very impressive player. Carries himself very well. Love his assortment. His arsenal is very good. He’s a very athletic kid. He’s handled himself tremendous in the two starts he’s hard here.” Toussaint was 9-6 in 24 minor league starts this season, going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Gwinnett.He has not appeared fazed by being thrust into a pennant race.“He faced the best team in baseball the other day and did a really good job,” Snitker said. “The maturity, the game awareness, how he’s handled himself. The whole thing has been very impressive.”

Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from the World Series after their 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5.The Brewers tried some trickery at the start of Wednesday's game with starter Wade Miley only facing one batter Aaron Altherr Jersey , but it didn't matter against Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers starterbounced back from a rough Game 1 outing to allow only one run allowed in seven innings.Yasiel Puig went 2-for-2 off the bench, including a clutch RBI single in the sixth inning, to help Los Angeles build a 3-2 lead in the National League Championship Series.Craig Counsell's Gamble Gave Brewers Best Chance to Win SeriesWade Miley was the listed starter in Wednesday's game and pitched to the first batter, but that was the end of his night. Brewer manager Craig Counsell pulled Miley in place of Brandon Woodruff, who took over and struck out eight batters in 5.1 inningswhile allowing three runs (two earned).AsKen Rosenthalof Fox Sports noted, this switch was the team's plan all along. Miley will instead pitch Game 6.The move was surprising, but there were several good reasons behind it:Ryan Rosenblatt RyanRosenblattDid the Brewers try to bait the the Dodgers into a righty-heavy lineup and Roberts called their bluff?This series is so smart it鈥檚 dumb.Bill Barnwell billbarnwellPut Craig Counsell in the Hall of Fame for rope-a-doping the DodgersMike Petriello mike_petrielloThis might be a good idea and it might not be, but remember, the alternative here was Wade Miley on short rest. You got to screw with the Dodgers by misleading them about who was starting, and you dont actually have to have Wade Miley on short rest. Well, yeah. Why notLos Angeles didn't go as righty-heavy against the left-handed Miley as it did in Game 1, but David Freese was still in the No. 3 spot in the lineup and was pulled after only one at-bat.Perhaps more importantly, the Brewers' rotation was not lined up well going forward. Not only was Miley starting on three days of rest, butJhoulys Chacin also would have had to go on short rest in Game 6.With the team's lack of starting pitching depth http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-chase-utley-jersey , Game 7 would have been a complete mystery.Suddenly, the Brewers have their top two starters available on full rest in the next two games if needed, both of which will be at home.Meanwhile, this was more than just punting one game to get an advantage in the others. Woodruff had been one of the team's best pitchers down the stretch, and he put forth an excellent performance Wednesday.His 5.1 innings were his longest outing of the season.Though things went south the third time through the order, Woodruff gave the Brewers a chance to win and helped prove Counsell right, despite the loss. Clayton Kershaw Still Has More to Prove Before Changing Playoff NarrativeIt's almost undeniable that Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball over the past decade. The problem is his reputation has been held back due to his struggles in the playoffs.He has a career 2.39 ERA in the regular season, but he entered Wednesday with a 4.26 mark in the playoffs. That included a 5.24 ERA in 11 appearances in the NLCS.Kershaw did everything he could to show he was past his struggles Wednesday, going seven innings with only one run allowed on three hits. He also struck out nine batters while walking only two.Andy McCullough McCulloughTimesSeven innings of one-run baseball from Clayton Kershaw. Fresh off the worst postseason start of his career, this is one of his best.He was aggressive with his curveball, which was especially impressive:Bleacher Report MLB BR_MLBThat was nasty, Kershaw 馃敟 AFSdoQBYDYAs we have seen so many times throughout his MLB career, Kershaw was the biggest reason the Dodgers came away with a win.On the other hand, we have also seen him pitch well in the playoffs before Richie Ashburn Jersey , including when he shut down the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of this year's NLDS. The postseason monkey seemed to be off his back, but then he failed to get past the fourth inning in Game 1 of this series.Last year, he followed up a gem in Game 1 of the World Series with a dud in Game 5.When Kershaw is at his best, there is no one better in the game, but the Dodgers need him to be at least close to his best every time out when the stakes are this high. Failing to get out of the fifth inning won't get it done.As well as he pitched against the Brewers on Wednesday, one game in the NLCS will not define his legacy. If the Dodgers advance to World Series, Kershaw will need to produce more quality starts to change his negative playoff narrative. Brewers Won't Reach World Series Unless Christian Yelich Wakes UpHarry How/Getty ImagesChristian Yelich is the favorite to win MVP of the National League, and he is one of the biggest reasons the Brewers are still alive in the playoffs. However, he hasn't looked like himself so far this series.The outfielder finished 0-for-4 in Game 5 with one strikeout, which is the first time he failed to reach base so far this postseason.Although he had been drawing some walks prior to Wednesday, he is now hitting .150 in five games this series with only three singles.His last extra-base hit came in Game 1 of the NLDS when he hit a home run against the Colorado Rockies. Since then, he is just 3-of-25 at the plate in seven games.No one was hotter than Yelich in the second half of the season, and he was especially dominant in the final week. While the Brewers were closing the regular season with eight straight wins, the outfielder had a .458 batting average and an outrageous 1.857 OPS.It's impossible for someone to stay that hot forever Chuck Klein Jersey , but the Brewers weren't expecting him to go so cold this quickly.While Milwaukee has other quality hitters on the roster, its offense has been nonexistent over the past two games. The Brewers' season may end Friday unless Yelich turns things around in a hurry. What's Next?The series now returns to Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday. Wade Miley will likely make a real start for the Brewers, while Hyun-Jin Ryu will be available for the Dodgers. ATLANTA — Juan Soto’s season has been historic for a 19-year-old and that would normally make the Washington Nationals outfielder a lock for National League Rookie of the Year.Not in 2018, though, with the way 20-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is performing for the Atlanta Braves.The phenoms will be on the field together for the last time this season Sunday as the National League East-leading Braves (83-65) and disappointing defending two-time champion Nationals (75-74) conclude their three-game series.Article continues below ...“You’re seeing two premium young players in baseball right now,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “You’ve got to appreciate the way they play the game. It shows how mature they are at that age.”Acuna was a home run short of the cycle in his first three at-bats against three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in the series opener Friday night and Soto became the second youngest player to reach 20 homers in the same game.Soto had his homer streak snapped at four games in Saturday’s 7-1 victory by the Nationals but extended his on-base streak to 20 games with a hit and three of Washington’s 14 walks. He also stole three bases.Soto, who has drawn 74 walks in 103 games, is batting .304 with 72 runs scored and 63 RBIs. Acuna, who had his first four-hit game Friday, has a .296 average with 25 homers, 71 runs scored, 55 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 97 games.Acuna joined the Braves on April 25 and Soto was promoted May 19. The only thing that has stopped either since is Acuna’s monthlong stay on the disabled list because of a knee injury suffered at the end of May.Acuna, who moved into the leadoff spot after the All-Star break, and Soto have regularly put on shows when the Braves and Nationals play.Acuna has batted .424 in 33 at-bats with three home runs http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-jimmy-foxx-jersey , a triple and three doubles, and six RBIs in seven games against the Nationals.Soto has four homers and nine RBIs in 12 games versus the Braves while batting .289 with 12 walks.They appear to have established a mutual admiration society despite their competition for NL Rookie of the Year.“I’m having fun sharing the field with him,” Acuna said through a translator.“Everything he does is fun,” said Soto, also through a translator. “I keep watching him.”Braves second-year left-hander Sean Newcomb (12-8, 3.82 ERA) will try to break a four-game pratfall at SunTrust Park as he opposes veteran Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark (8-15, 4.37) in the finale of the 1-1 weekend series.Newcomb is 0-3 with 10.70 ERA in his past four home starts, yielding 21 runs and 33 hits in 17 2/3 innings. But he is coming off a strong road outing at San Francisco, tossing six innings of one-run ball and not issuing a walk for the second time in his 47 career starts.Newcomb is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in three starts against the Nationals this year.Roark has posted an 8.62 ERA in his past three starts but has had mostly career success against the Braves.Although he’s 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three games (two starts) this season, Roark is 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA lifetime against Atlanta in 22 games (15 starts).Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte is 12-for-29 with a homer against Roark,and Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is 4-for-9 with two doubles against Newcomb.

In 2011 Bo Jackson Jersey , it was the Rally Squirrel dashing across home plate during Game 4 of the National League Division Series to disrupt Philadelphia pitcher Roy Oswalt and help the St. Louis Cardinals take a win-or-die game. Six years later, the Rally Kitty appeared in center field just before a grand slam by Yadier Molina won an August game against Kansas City and fueled an eight-game winning streak that lifted St. Louis into a first-place tie in the NL Central before the Chicago Cubs finally pulled away.On Sunday, Rally Squirrel II made a road trip, waltzing across the Comerica Park infield in Detroit moments before the Cardinals broke up a scoreless tie with five seventh-inning runs to notch a critical win over the Tigers and maintain their edge for the NL’s second wild card.Article continues below ...“We’ll look for that rally squirrel and try to bring it home,” Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong joked.Given recent trends, St. Louis might need a whole zoo to try to figure out Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams, its opponent Monday night for the beginning of a three-game series at Busch Stadium.Williams (12-9, 3.15 ERA) continued an amazing run on Labor Day Paulo Orlando Jersey , firing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 5-1 win over Cincinnati at PNC Park. In his last nine starts, Williams has allowed only four runs in 54 2/3 innings, pitching scoreless ball six times and post an absurd 0.66 ERA.One of those six times occurred two weeks ago, when he bagged a 2-0 win over the Cardinals (79-64) at Busch. Williams ceded only three hits and three walks in six innings, striking out eight.“I’m confident in my ability to pitch at the big league level and have success at the big league level,” he said to mlb.com after his win over Cincinnati. “It’s just a matter of executing pitches.”Williams’ shutdown outing against St. Louis reversed a career-long trend of struggles against a division rival. In 11 outings, he’s 3-4 with a 5.98 ERA, permitting 59 hits in 43 2/3 innings and 29 earned runs.The Cardinals would have avoided Williams had Pittsburgh (71-71) not been washed out of its series finale Sunday against Miami. The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon moved that game back to Oct. 1 http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-danny-duffy-jersey , the day after the regular season was scheduled to end.St. Louis will start veteran Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.00), who has been out since May 13, when he suffered right elbow inflammation during the third inning of a 5-3 loss in San Diego. Wainwright has fired 17 scoreless innings across six rehab outings. In his career, Wainwright is 13-7 in 36 games with a 4.28 ERA when facing the Pirates.“I feel like I’m getting called up for September,” he said to mlb.com last week. “Earlier this season, I couldn’t lift my bag, pick up my shirt Frank White Jersey , after starts. I threw a bullpen after my last start, and I didn’t know what would happen. And I felt normal.”The Cardinals own a 9-7 edge in the season series with the Pirates, winning five of the seven games at home. WASHINGTON (AP) — Gio Gonzalez ended a personal drought that spanned more than two months — and helped give the Washington Nationals a four-game split with another National League East contender.Gonzalez pitched seven strong innings for his first victory since May 28, leading the Nationals to a 6-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.“I think I was just happy that I got to high-five my teammates for the first time in a while,” Gonzalez said. “For me it was not the pressure, it was just the going out there and doing what I can do to go out there and try and pitch the best I can. Today it finally showed. It finally stepped to the right direction that I wanted.”The Nationals moved within 5 1/2 games of idle NL East leader Philadelphia. The Braves fell a game behind the Phillies.Gonzalez (7-8) snapped a seven-game losing streak and had gone 11 consecutive starts without a victory. He allowed six hits and one walk while striking out three. Nick Markakis‘ solo homer to lead off the second was the lone run he allowed.Atlanta starter Anibal Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings but left after getting hit in the left calf by a grounder from Michael Taylor. Manager Brian Snitker said he was hopeful Sanchez would make his next start.“It looked like Anibal was going to have one of his games starting out,” Snitker said. “He was sharp as can be. We just had a hard time getting ahold of Gio. That was the biggest thing. We couldn’t do anything with him.”Sanchez was replaced by Wes Parsons (0-1), who yielded a bases-loaded walk to Juan Soto and a sacrifice fly by Anthony Rendon as Washington went ahead in the third.Taylor homered to left in the fourth to bump Washington’s lead to 3-1 http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-joakim-soria-jersey , and Daniel Murphy added an RBI double in the sixth.But Parsons worked five innings in his major league debut, vital for a team that had two starters last only two innings during the series in Washington and heads home to face Milwaukee after a 5-3 road trip.“A winning road trip, you take that every single time,” said Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman, who had three hits. “Sometimes, you have to lose a battle to win the war. I thought what Wes Parsons did was absolutely huge for this ballclub. That’s going to win us games later on with a fresh bullpen.”Ronald Acuna Jr.’s one-out homer in the eighth pulled Atlanta within two runs, but the Nationals got RBIs from Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-2.Washington went 7-3 on its homestand and begins a seven-game trip to face the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis.“It was big, a big win for us Kelvin Herrera Jersey ,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Happy flight.”HARPER SCRATCHEDWashington outfielder Bryce Harper was scratched from the lineup with right knee soreness. Atlanta reliever Dan Winkler hit Harper just below the right knee in the seventh inning on Wednesday night. Martinez said X-rays on Harper were negative.DOUBLE DEBUTParsons and Adam McCreery both made their major league debuts for Atlanta, combining to pitch the last six innings. It was the first time the Braves had two pitchers debut in the same game since June 30, 2015, when Jake Brigham and Ryan Kelly did so against Washington.TRAINER’S ROOMBraves: 3B Johan Camargo was out of the starting lineup for the first time since July 14. He struck out as a pinch hitter to end the game. Charlie Culberson filled in at third for Camargo.Nationals: Martinez said RHP Stephen Strasburg (cervical nerve impingement) will throw at least one more bullpen session before the team decides whether he is ready for a minor league rehabilitation start. Strasburg has not pitched for Washington since July 20.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 5.40 ERA) makes his second start since his acquisition from Baltimore as Atlanta returns home to open a three-game series with Milwaukee.Nationals: Washington begins a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs with RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5-2, 3.56) getting the nod.

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Mets activated third baseman Todd Frazier from the disabled list before Thursday’s game with the Atlanta Braves.Frazier had been sidelined since July 9 with a left rib cage strain and appeared in two rehab games for Class A Brooklyn this week.”We’re glad to have Todd back http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-delino-deshields-jersey ,” manager Mickey Callaway said. ”We’re glad to have his leadership in the clubhouse. It’s always more fun with Todd around on the bench in the clubhouse, during the game. A guy you can plug into the middle of the lineup and he’s got a chance to go hit you a homer. So we’re glad that he’s back.”In the first season of a two-year deal, Frazier is hitting .217 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 61 games. Frazier also was sidelined from May 8 to June 2 with a strained left hamstring.The DL stints were the first of Frazier’s career, and he said he might need occasional days off.”You appreciate what Cal Ripken Jr. did Joey Gallo Jersey ,” Frazier said. ”It’s one of those things where, don’t be shy to ask for a day off every once in a while. It might help you in the long run.”Besides activating Frazier, the Mets purchased the contract of right-hander Bobby Wahl from Triple-A Las Vegas.New York also optioned right-handed reliever Jacob Rhame to Las Vegas and placed infielder Phillip Evans on the disabled list with a fractured left tibia.To make room for Wahl on the 40-man roster, outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski was designated for assignment.Wahl was one two players acquired on July 22 from Oakland for closer Jeurys Familia.Wahl is 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA with 12 saves in 38 combined appearances between Las Vegas and Nashville in the Pacific Coast LeagueEvans was injured when Adam Eaton slid into him at second base in the first inning of Wednesday’s 5-3 loss at Washington.The Mets said Evans will be on crutches for a few weeks and will be out for about a month.In four stints with the Mets http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-nomar-mazara-jersey , Evans is hitting 3-for-21 (.143) in 15 games.On Thursday, Callaway said he did not think Eaton’s slide was clean. The Mets challenged the call, arguing that the slide was illegal, but it was upheld after a replay review.”I thought it was a little high up on the leg Ferguson Jenkins Jersey ,” Callaway said. ”We have an injured player that could be out the rest of the season because of it.”In six stints with the Mets, Rhame is 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA in 18 appearances. He allowed six runs in two innings in Tuesday’s 25-4 loss at Washington.Kaczmarzki appeared in four games and was optioned to Class AAA on July 11.— NEW YORK (AP) — The Texas Rangers have activated outfielder Delino DeShields from the seven-day concussion disabled list before their series finale against the New York Yankees.DeShields was batting ninth Sunday and playing center field.In a corresponding move, Texas optioned outfielder/infielder Drew Robinson to Triple-A Round Rock.DeShields was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 4 with concussion symptoms. They were believed to be related to the 25-year-old banging the back of his head while attempting a sliding catch against Boston on July 11.He was placed in Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol but returned to the lineup in Texas’ game two days later. DeShields played in seven of the Rangers’ 14 games after the All-Star break before being scratched from the lineup with headaches on Aug. 3.DeShields was batting .208 with 2 home runs and 21 RBIs in 81 games.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies got their offense jump-started. Aaron Nola took care of the rest.Nola pitched six scoreless innings http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-jung-ho-kang-jersey , Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez homered, and the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Saturday night.The Phillies had been shut out in their previous two games and went 18 consecutive innings without scoring at Petco Park, dating back to last season, before they put two on the board in the first inning.“Anytime you are able to jump on the opposition early with a guy like Aaron Nola on the mound it gives you a lot of confidence,” manager Gabe Kapler said.Nola (13-3) struck out five, gave up four hits and lowered his ERA to 2.28 as the Phillies moved one game ahead of second-place Atlanta in the NL East.Franco blasted a 2-0 fastball from Walker Lockett (0-3) into the second balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field in the fourth inning to put the Phillies up 3-0.Hernandez hit his career-high 10th homer in the fifth, and Carlos Santana followed with an RBI groundout to score Rhys Hoskins, making it 5-0 and chasing Lockett. The rookie allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings.“I think the story of the game for him is when he was ahead in the count, he won the at-bat,” Padres manager Andy Green said of Lockett. “When he was behind in the count, they won the at-bat.”The Phillies went ahead in the first on Nick Williams’ RBI triple and Asdrubal Cabrera’s run-scoring double.“We’re playing as a team, we’re playing as a whole Francisco Cervelli Jersey ,” Nola said. “Guys are coming up clutch throughout the whole team.”The Padres got their only run in the seventh after reliever Austin Davis surrendered a triple to Cory Spangenberg and a walk. Victor Arano came in and allowed Manuel Margot’s sacrifice fly before retiring the next two batters.Tommy Hunter and Seranthony Dominguez blanked the Padres the rest of the way.“I think our starting pitching has taken real steps forward from where they were at the beginning of the season, and maybe the bullpen has been even better than we thought it was going to be,” Kapler said.Robert Stock, Phil Maton and Trey Wingenter combined to pitch 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for San Diego.TRAINER’S ROOMPadres: Wil Myers, on the 10-day disabled with a left foot contusion, will play third base Sunday during a rehab assignment at Single-A Lake Elsinore. Myers was an All-Star first baseman in 2015 and began this season as an outfielder.“I don’t think we’d ask him to play third base in the minors if we had absolutely no intention of him ever manning that position in the big leagues,” Green said.UP NEXTPhillies: RHP Jake Arrieta (9-6, 3.11 ERA) starts Sunday’s series finale. He pitched eight scoreless innings in his previous start, a no-decision.Padres: Rookie LHP Joey Lucchesi (5-6, 3.70) will make his first career start against the Phillies. The 2018 World Series is finally set, with the Los Angeles Dodgers advancing from the National League Championship Series to take on the Boston Red Sox.After winning a franchise-record 108 games during the regular season, the Red Sox have carried that success over to the postseason. They have gone 7-2 in their two series victories over the New York Yankees and Houston Astros John Jaso Jersey , putting them in prime position to win a fourth World Series title since 2004.The Dodgers are the first National League team to play in back-to-back World Series since the 2008-09 Philadelphia Phillies. After coming up short in last year's Fall Classic against the Astros, they will look to end the franchise's 30-year championship drought. 2018 World Series ScheduleGame 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 2 (Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 3 (Friday, Oct. 26 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 4 (Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 5* (Sunday, Oct. 28 at 8:15 p.m. ET): Red Sox at DodgersGame 6* (Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red SoxGame 7* (Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 8:09 p.m. ET): Dodgers at Red Sox*If necessary PreviewEarly betting odds for the World Series favor the Red Sox to raise their ninth championship flag in franchise history.Per OddsShark, Boston is currently receiving -130 odds (bet $130 to win $100).Despite leading MLB with 108 wins during the regular season, the Red Sox started the playoffs with significant questions about their pitching staff. Their relievers' ERA of 3.72 ranked seventh out of 10 playoff teams.After Boston closed out Houston in the ALCS, the middle relievers out of the bullpen turned into a huge asset. Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes have combined to allow five hits and one run with 11 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.Brasier http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-jordy-mercer-jersey , in particular, has been an unsung hero for manager Alex Cora. The 31-year-old had a 1.60 ERA in 34 games this season, his first full year in the big leagues."He's been amazing for us," Cora told reporters after Game 4 against the Astros. "He's a great story. Everybody knows about it. "Attacks the zone, gets swings and misses in the zone. Expands it and that was another guy that we knew in October he could give us multiple innings, more than three outs. And tonight he was outstanding."Boston's starting rotation looks more dangerous now. Chris Sale is healthy and set to start Game 1 after missing Game 5 against Houston through illness, while David Price should play Game 2 after securing his first playoff win as a starter with six shutout innings on Thursday against Houston.Offense hasn't been a problem for the Red Sox all year. Their 56 runs scored are 14 more than any other team in the playoffs. They led MLB in runs scored (876), hits (1,509), doubles (355), batting average (.268), on-base percentage (.339) and slugging percentage (.453) during the regular season.Because the Red Sox are able to score in bunches Corey Dickerson Jersey , their pitching staff doesn't have to be great for them to win. Getting both sides playing at their peak at this stage of the postseason is why they are favored to win a World Series.Unlike the Red Sox, the Dodgers have been unable to carry their offensive success from the regular season over the playoffs. Their 235 homers during the season led the NL, but they were complemented by a lineup that ranked third in MLB with a .774 OPS.During the playoffs, Los Angeles' .667 OPS is the worst among the four teams that made it to the league championship series.The Dodgers will also have to correct their hitting against left-handed pitching if they want to win their first World Series title since 1988. Their OPS was 63 points lower against southpaws (.733) than it was against right-handed pitching (.796) in the regular season.The upside for Los Angeles is Boston only had one left-handed reliever on the ALCS roster鈥擡duardo Rodriguez鈥攕o if the NL champs can get Price and Sale out of the game early, their lineup will have a decided advantage.This World Series will also be the latest in a series of litmus tests for Clayton Kershaw, though his playoff struggles have always been overblown:Jon Weisman jonweismanClayton Kershaws start today went from red to yellow to orange to green, as in great. In a polarizing postseason career, this was Kershaws 11th career start allowing two runs or fewer. #Dodgers #NLCS #MLB 6pWAd255PaKershaw can erase every playoff narrative that's ever been written about him if he's able to shut down this Boston lineup to get the Dodgers back to the top of the MLB mountain.The Red Sox have been the best team in MLB all season. They have already defeated two teams in the playoffs that won at least 100 games during the regular season.Nothing about Boston's playoff run to this point suggests a letdown is coming in the World Series. After waiting 86 years between championships before 2004, the Red Sox are embarking on a modern-day dynasty if they can win a fourth title in 14 years.