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The 2018 MLB playoff bracket is finally set Carlos Carrasco Jersey ,  and Los Angeles Dodgers won their tiebreaker games on Monday to take home the NL Central and NL West division crowns, respectively.Milwaukee left Wrigley Field with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs, clinching home field advantage throughout the NL. The Dodgers won the NL West after beating the Colorado Rockies 5-2.The Cubs and Rockies will meet in Chicago on Tuesday evening to determine the NL Wild Card winner, with the victor playing the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. The Dodgers will welcome the NL East champion Atlanta Braves on Thursday.advertisingOn Wednesday, the Oakland Athletics will visit the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game. The winner will play the 108-win Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, beginning on Friday at Fenway park.Meanwhile, the defending World Series champion Houston Astros will take on the Cleveland Indians Roy Oswalt Jersey , who won their third consecutive AL Central division title. The Astros are aiming to be the first team to successfully defend its World Series since the 2000 New York Yankees. Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY SportsThe two NLDS series begin Thursday, and the ALDS will begin on Friday. The Division Series is scheduled to conclude by Oct. 11 at the latest, while the NLCS and ALCS聽 will begin on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, respectively. Game 1 of the World Series is slated for Oct. 23, and Game 7 (if necessary), will happen on Halloween night.advertisingThe 2018 MLB playoffs should be extra exciting this year, since the field is wide open. The Red Sox http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-lee-jersey , Yankees and Astros each reached the 100-win mark, while the Brewers and Cubs won 96 and 95, respectively. The Dodgers and Indians didn't come close to 100 victories, but we know how dangerous both teams can be in the playoffs.It's all about which team gets hot at the right time in October. Anybody can win the World Series this year, and it promises to be another great season of playoff baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals (69-57) will try to stay hot and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers (67-59) for the fourth consecutive time on Tuesday when they visit them again as large road underdogs at the sportsbooks.The Cardinals won the series opener 5-3 on Monday to earn their third straight victory against the Dodgers and 11th in 13 games overall after losing six of the previous seven meetings, according to the OddsShark MLB Database.MLB betting line: The Dodgers opened as -155 favorites (wager $155 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick J.R. Richard Jersey , via OddsShark computer: 4.0-0.6, Dodgers (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Cardinals can pay on the MLB linesSt. Louis is playing as well as any team in baseball right now and has passed Los Angeles in the National League standings. If the postseason started today, the Dodgers would not be in the playoff field, and the Cardinals would like to keep it that way since they are in direct competition with them for one of the two wild-card spots.Rookie pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (0-0, 2.04 ERA) will make his second career start, and he was nearly perfect in his first back on July 23 against the Cincinnati Reds. In that road game at Cincinnati http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-altuve-jersey , the 26-year-old threw seven hitless innings en route to a 2-1 win, walking three and striking out three on 116 total pitches. So the potential is there. Why the Dodgers can pay on the MLB linesLos Angeles got great news before Monday's game when it was announced that closer Kenley Jansen is back from an irregular heartbeat with no restrictions. The Dodgers struggled without Jansen, going 4-7 in the 11 games he missed and falling out of first place in the NL West.Despite losing the series opener, they also have to be happy with how Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-0, 1.77 ERA) pitched after returning from a groin injury. The 31-year-old threw six scoreless innings in a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants last Wednesday, scattering three hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He had not pitched since May 2. Smart betting pickEven though the price is a bit high on Los Angeles in this spot, the right team is favored with a much more experienced starting pitcher on the mound. The Dodgers simply cannot afford to lose here Craig Biggio Jersey , so look for them to bounce back with a big victory Tuesday. MLB betting trendsThe total has gone under in four of St. Louis' last six games.The total has gone under in 15 of Los Angeles' last 23 games.The total has gone under in four of Los Angeles' last five games when playing St. Louis. 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.

SEATTLE (AP) — d Lorena Martin this season in part because she created a hostile work environment and ignored recommended treatments for injured players issued by team doctors.The Mariners’ claims were revealed in a filing in King County Superior Court in response to Martin’s lawsuit against the team filed earlier this month. The club’s response was an eight-page Reggie Jackson Jersey , weeks-old letter originally filed in an attempt to have her situation settled in private arbitration, but it became public after it was attached to a motion filed by Martin’s attorney.The Mariners say unnamed employees had warned general manager Jerry Dipoto last March that Martin was ignoring medical advice on treatment of injured players and that she was misrepresenting herself “as a medical doctor to other MLB teams’ staff.”The team also said it had received “overwhelming and accumulating” employee complaints about Martin.Martin’s wrongful-termination lawsuit claimed she went to team owners John Stanton and Buck Ferguson and CEO Kevin Mather as far back as March to complain about alleged discriminatory treatment.The lawsuit also says several Latino players complained to Martin about feeling excluded and that Dipoto took midseason steps to deliberately undermine the progress and mental state of star pitcher Felix Hernandez.The Mariners have denied all of Martin’s claims.“Martin’s allegations of discrimination are not true,” the Mariners’ letter states. “No indication, much less evidence, of such was identified during the course of the independent investigation which involved personal interviews of approximately 20 individuals who were in position to know.” ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fortunately for the Milwaukee Brewers, they didn’t slip up.The Brewers clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 by ensuring at least a spot in the NL wild-card game, helped Wednesday night when a rookie St. Louis pinch-runner suddenly fell on his way to the plate in a 2-1 win over the contending Cardinals.“I saw him go down and luckily we were able to put a tag on him and get him out,” Brewers reliever Josh Hader said. “I’ve never seen that before but it was definitely good on our side.”The Brewers (92-67) remained a half-game behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee’s win also sealed a postseason berth for the Cubs.Milwaukee began the day 3 ½ games ahead of Colorado for the top wild-card slot. St. Louis (87-71) entered a half-game behind the Rockies for the final wild-card berth.The Cardinals missed a big chance to tie it in the eighth inning. Matt Carpenter drew a two-out walk and was lifted for pinch-runner Adolis Garcia. Jose Martinez then hit a slow roller to third baseman Mike Moustakas http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-bernie-williams-jersey , who threw wildly to first.Garcia was waved home, but slipped rounding third base and fell halfway to the plate. He got to his feet and had no chance, easily tagged out after second baseman Hernan Perez made a strong throw.“The kid’s giving you everything he’s got, it’s just unfortunate he fell,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s one of those things that happened. Clearly, it would’ve tied the game but it wasn’t for lack of effort. Things happen and he was giving everything he had.”Milwaukee turned that break into a three-game sweep at Busch Stadium. And while the Brewers enjoyed an enthusiastic celebration in their clubhouse, the prospect of catching the Cubs still hung in the air.“We like our chances, but obviously winning the division would be huge C.C. Sabathia Jersey ,” outfielder Ryan Braun said. “The wild-card game, no matter how good you are, it is always somewhat of a coin flip. So we have to take care of business. We have to continue to win games and continue to play the way we’ve played to this point and hopefully find a way to win the division.”Milwaukee advanced to the NL Championship Series in 2011 before being eliminated in six games by the eventual World Series champion Cardinals.Jhoulys Chacin pitched five strong innings and Travis Shaw hit a pair of RBI singles for Milwaukee.“When you’ve got games left still and you’ve got something to play for there’s stuff ahead of us, but you do this to enjoy what you’ve accomplished,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “We know that we’ve made the playoffs, we have a chance to play in the playoffs and we have three big games left.”Chacin (15-8), who had lost his last three decisions, gave up one run on just one hit over five innings. He needed a season-low 60 pitches and faced three batters over the minimum.“We definitely caught a break there http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-randy-johnson-jersey , it was a strange play,” Counsell said of the Garcia fall. “We pitched really well tonight. Chacin was brilliant. It was just a really well played game.”Xavier Cedeno, Corbin Burnes, Hader and Jeremy Jeffress combined for four shutout innings as the Brewers held the Cardinals to a season-low two hits. Jeffress earned his 13th save in 18 chances.Milwaukee now returns to Miller Park to take on the lowly Detroit Tigers in the three-game series starting Friday to end the regular season. The Cardinals travel to face the Cubs for the three-game set.Shaw’s single scored Christian Yelich, who walked all five times he came to the plate, and gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the third.Shaw broke a 1-all time with an RBI single off Dakota Hudson in the fifth, again scoring Yelich, to make it 2-1.“It’s cool Andy Pettitte Jersey ,” Shaw said. “I mean anytime you do that it’s cool but especially on a clinching night, it feels pretty good.”Yelich, who reached on a walk by Chasen Shreve (3-4), became the ninth inherited runner out of 18 that Hudson has allowed to score.“Hopefully this is the first of many celebrations and rightfully so to celebrate this moment,” Yelich said. “But we’ve got a big weekend ahead so we’re going to enjoy it tonight and get back to work.”Cardinals starter John Gant stranded runners in each of his first four innings before being lifted with one out in the fifth. It is the fourth time in his last five starts that Gant failed to go more than 4 1/3 innings.Jedd Gyorko’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the fourth made it 1-all.Cardinals infielder Paul DeJong hung back to watch the Brewers’ on-field celebration.“They earned it,” DeJong said. “It’s something that I want. It’s something that I’ve done in the minor leagues. I really wanted to be out there doing it with us but we’re going to have to keep pushing and try to pull something out.”TRAINER’S ROOMBrewers: Jeffress, who missed the series opener because of neck spasms, pitched for the first time since Friday went 1 1/3 innings.UP NEXTBrewers: RHP Zach Davies (2-7 http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-gary-sanchez-jersey , 4.65 ERA) begins the three-game series at home Friday night against Detroit and RHP Jordan Zimmermann (7-8, 4.31 ERA). Davies, who is making his first career start against the Tigers, gave up two runs in four innings in a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday.Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (2-3, 4.08 ERA) gets the start in the opener of a three-game series at Chicago and RHP Kyle Hendricks (13-11, 3.49 ERA) on Friday afternoon. Wainwright leads all active pitchers with 15 wins against the Cubs and his 11 career wins at Wrigley Field is third all-time in franchise history behind Bob Gibson (15) and Harry Brecheen (13).

 Red Sox are both sending their ace left-handed pitchers to the mound in Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-brian-mccann-jersey , and that could give the National League champions a strong opportunity to set the tone in the Fall Classic.The Red Sox won 108 games during the regular season while the Dodgers won 92, but if Los Angeles wins the opener on the road, it is likely to create confidence in the winners' locker room.The first pitch is scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET and the game will be televised by Fox. Partly cloudy skies and high 40s to low 50s temperatures are expected at game time, although showers are a possibility during the game, per the Weather Channel. World Series ScheduleTuesday, October 23 (Game 1): Los Angeles Dodgers at Boston Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETWednesday, October 24 (Game 2):Los Angeles DodgersatBoston Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETFriday, October 26 (Game 3):Boston Red SoxatLos Angeles Dodgers, 8:09 p.m. ETSaturday, October 27 (Game 4):Boston Red SoxatLos Angeles Dodgers, 8:09 p.m. ETSunday, October 28 (Game 5, if necessary):Boston Red SoxatLos Angeles Dodgers Josh Reddick Jersey , 8:15 p.m. ETTuesday, October 30 (Game 6, if necessary):Los Angeles DodgersatBoston Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETWednesday, October 31 (Game 7, if necessary):Los Angeles DodgersatBoston Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETAll World Series games will be televised by Fox. The matchup between Clayton Kershaw facing and Chris Sale has a chance to be a classic. If the Dodgers ace has his good fastball and dynamic curveball working, the Red Sox batting order is going to have a difficult time stringing hits together. The same holds for the Dodgers lineup if Sale is throwing his fastball in the 95-96 miles per hour range and has command of his slider.However, both star pitchers have issues. Kershaw has been one of the dominant pitchers of his generation in the regular season, but his postseason performances have been mostly ordinary throughout his career. Kershaw takes a 9-8 career postseason record onto the Fenway Park mound, and he has had his biggest issues away from home.The Dodgers are 5-6 in Kershaw's 11 road postseason starts, and one of those was Game 5 of last year's World Series against the Houston Astros. Kershaw gave up six earned runs in that game, and the Astros prevailed by a 13-12 margin.Sale suffered from shoulder difficulties throughout the second half of the season. He was on the disabled list twice, and while he performed well against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, he was off of his game when he started against Houston in Game 1 of the ALCS. Sale has not pitched since October 13 Tyler Clippard Jersey , and the Red Sox are hoping he will be near his best form in this game.The Red Sox are -160 favorites in Game 1 (bet $160 to win $100), while the Dodgers are +135 underdogs, per OddsShark.The Red Sox led the major leagues in scoring and have strength throughout their lineup. Jackie Bradley Jr., who often bats ninth for Boston, won the ALCS MVP after driving in nine runs with a bases-loaded double, a grand slam and a two-run homer.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are Boston's best hitters, while Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and the first base combination of Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce are capable of big hits.The Dodgers are a powerful team that had seven hitters with 21 or more home runs. Max Muncy led the Dodgers with 35 long balls, and Los Angeles also depends on Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Manny Machado and Yasiel Puig. World Series PropsProp bets also come into play during the World Series, and while they don't have the same kind of popularity as those offered in the NFL postseason or before the Super Bowl, it gives fans a chance to show off their knowledge and perhaps win some cash.Vegas Insider reports key prop bets on the World Series MVP and the number of games needed for each team to win the series.Kershaw is the slight favorite to win the series MVP award at 7-1, followed by Betts at 15-2 and Sale and Martinez at 8-1. Machado follows at 10-1, while Benintendi is listed at 15-1 Marwin Gonzalez Jersey , along with Turner, Puig and Chris Taylor.The Red Sox winning the World Series in six games is the most popular choice in potential outcomes at +350, followed by Boston winning in seven at +400. The Dodgers winning in six games is next at +500.A Red Sox sweep will pay off at +1000 while a victory by the Dodgers in four games would pay off at a whopping +1400. New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez will reportedly be placed on the disabled list after suffering a groin injury during Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.Olney reported a Tuesday MRI confirmed Sanchez's injury. Per Jon Heyman of Fancred, it is believed the catcher reaggravated the injury on a first-inning passed ball, which allowed a run to score from second:Sanchez later received criticism for not running out a grounder that ended the game, keeping the tying run from scoring in a 7-6 loss:As it turns out, he was hurt.Sanchez has been one of the most productive catchers in MLB since breaking out with 20 home runs in 53 appearances for the Yanks in 2016. While his batting average is below the Mendoza Line, his power numbers (14 HR, 42 RBI) have remained valuable.The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native suffered the first significant injury of his Yankees career in late June when he was placed on the disabled list with a right groin strain.After Sanchez's latest setback, Austin Romine should see a lion's share of the starts behind the plate for New York.Although the Yanks should have enough offensive depth to survive a short-term absence from Sanchez, any type of extended DL stay would limit the team's upside. He's a key piece of the puzzle, especially at a position where most teams don't receive high-end hitting numbers.

NEW YORK (AP) —of the AL wild-card game Michael Pineda Jersey , though some viewers on its digital app complained of technical issues leading to accidental blackouts.The telecast of the New York Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics was the most-watched program on cable Wednesday night, based on overnight delivery. It reached a peak of 7.5 million viewers, the best for an AL wild-card game ever on TBS. Its average viewership of 6.4 million was up 51 percent from TBS’s 2016 broadcast of the AL game between Baltimore and Toronto and 45 percent from last year’s NL game between Arizona and Colorado.TBS broadcasted both wild-card games in 2012 and ’13 and has alternated hosting the AL and NL wild-card games since.Turner also said viewership was up 120 percent on its digital platforms versus the 2016 AL game, though some viewers complained on social media the broadcast was blacked out. The technical issues are believed to have been resolved after the first few innings. DENVER (AP) — Viewed as a power pitcher, Jon Gray always felt he needed to rely on strikeouts.He altered that thinking. This is Jon Gray: Version 2.0.Gray threw effectively into the seventh inning and Ian Desmond hit a two-run triple in the sixth, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 6-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.“Jon wasn’t as crisp as we’ve seen him, but yet he pitched into the seventh inning,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.All part of his change.He was sent to the minors earlier this season to hone his command and Gray returned a different pitcher. He doesn’t rely on his fastball as much as he placed more faith in his breaking pitches.“It’s more of a controlled aggression than being aggressive Fernando Rodney Jersey ,” Gray explained. “I’m not trying to make it nasty and throw it under their bat. I’m trying to make a quality pitch that’s sharp, that’s in the strike zone, but keeping it out of the heart of the plate.”Gray (10-7) went 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs before running out of steam and turning it over to the bullpen. He’s now 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA over seven starts since his recall from Triple-A Albuquerque.“I hit the reset button,” Gray said.After allowing a run in the first, Gray settled into a groove against a Padres team that was missing infielder Wil Myers after he was a late scratch. Myers sustained a cut on his nose when a grounder hit him in the face while he was fielding during batting practice.Padres manager Andy Green said after the game there was no concussion.“He definitely took a hard one off the face. I don’t know that he was ever pretty but he’s definitely not pretty right now,” Green said. “Probably down (Thursday) and hope we can get him back in rhythm in L.A.”Myers was scheduled to make his eighth start at third base as the Padres experimented with sliding the veteran first baseman across the infield. Instead, Cory Spangenberg moved to third and Jose Pirela played second.Rockies catcher Tony Wolters added an RBI triple and a run-scoring sacrifice fly for the rolling Rockies, who began the day 1 1/2 games behind NL West-leading Arizona.Jacob Nix (1-2) turned in a solid outing in his first career road start. He allowed three runs over five innings.“There’s still very much to like and a lot to look forward to http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-addison-reed-jersey ,” Green said of his right-hander.The Rockies improved to 24-24 against teams with a losing record. In contrast, they’re 45-33 versus those at or above the .500 mark.“It shows you why you can’t sleep on anybody,” said Carlos Gonzalez, who had an RBI single in the first.TRAINER’S ROOMPadres: INF Christian Villanueva has a fractured finger and will be placed on the disabled list, Green said.ROSTER MOVEThe New York Yankees acquired catcher Chris Rabago off waivers from the Rockies and optioned him to Double-A Trenton. The move freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for the Rockies, which could potentially be used to add Matt Holliday. The slugger is currently hitting .346 with Triple-A Albuquerque.GONE TO THE DOGSIt was a “ruff” night as a parade of pooches made their way around the field before the game as part of a promotion called “Bark at the Park.”“This is the tail end of the dog days” of summer, Black joked. “This is the back end of the dog days.”TROUBLESOME INNINGSpangenberg had an RBI double in the first, which has turned into a problematic inning for the Rockies. The starting pitchers have allowed 110 runs in the opening inning this season.START OF SOMETHINGThe Rockies have now won each of Gray’s last nine starts. It matches Ubaldo Jimenez’s stretch in 2010 for the team’s longest win streak during a pitcher’s starts in franchise history.THIS & THATGray was cruising along http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-mauer-jersey , retiring 12 straight, before SS Freddy Galvis lined a solo homer in the seventh. … Desmond scored two runs and stole a base.UP NEXTPadres LHP Joey Lucchesi (6-7, 3.79 ERA) makes his fourth career start against Colorado on Thursday. The Rockies counter with LHP Kyle Freeland (11-7, 2.96). He’s 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 11 starts at home.

Red Sox Huston Street Jersey , free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel is generating a lot of interest on the open market.Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals are all possible suitors for Kimbrel.The Red Sox extended Kimbrel aqualifying offer http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-rod-carew-jersey , which would guarantee him $17.9 million in 2019 if he accepts it before the Nov. 12 deadline.Red Soxpresident of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters at Tuesday's general manager meetings he anticipates Kimbrel will turn down the offer."He may be calling around seeing what else is out there," Dombrowski said (h/t MassLive.com'sChris Cotillo). "You don't want to be caught by surprise when you're out there pursuing something real strong."The Phillies, Braves and Cardinals all ranked in the bottom half of Major League Baseball in bullpen ERA last season. The Cardinals have the most pressing need for a closer http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-nolan-ryan-jersey , as Bud Norris is a free agent.Kimbrel posted a 2.74 ERA with 42 saves, 96 strikeouts and 31 hits allowed in 62.1 innings for the Red Sox in 2018. PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies did not tender contracts to first baseman Justin Bour and left-hander Luis Avilan, allowing the players to become free agents.Both players were acquired in trades during the season and saw limited action in Philadelphia.Bour hit .224 with one homer and five RBIs in 49 at-bats after batting .227 with 19 homers and 54 RBIs in 112 games for the Marlins.Avilan had a 3.18 ERA in 12 games for the Phillies Cameron Maybin Jersey , spanning 5 2/3 innings. He was 2-1 with two saves and a 3.86 ERA in 58 appearances for the White Sox.The Phillies tendered contracts to other arbitration-eligible players on Friday, including right-handers Aaron Nola, Vince Velasquez http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-reggie-jackson-jersey , Hector Neris, Jerad Eickhoff and Luis Garcia; left-hander Adam Morgan; infielders Cesar Hernandez and Maikel Franco; and outfielder Aaron Altherr.

BALTIMORE (AP) — http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-clay-buchholz-jersey , circling the bases in a display that manager Bob Melvin described as “remarkable.”Finally, deep into the third inning, Ramon Laureano hit a popup to the shortstop. A mock cheer swelled from the small crowd of 10,480 at Camden Yards.“I was like, ‘Ooh.’ I didn’t realize nobody had gotten out yet,” Oakland slugger Matt Olson said. Olson homered during a 10-run inning in which the first 11 batters reached base, and the Athletics blanked the Baltimore Orioles 10-0 Wednesday night. With their sixth straight victory, the A’s moved within one game of the Yankees for the top AL wild card. New York lost 3-1 at Minnesota.Oakland totaled 10 hits and two walks in its biggest inning of the year. Olson provided the big blow — a three-run shot off Andrew Cashner (4-15) — and three different players had two hits.“I don’t know if I’ve been a part of one of those,” Olson said. “It seemed like everybody was working the count and getting a good pitch and squaring it up.”Oakland sent 15 batters to the plate and generated more than enough offense to match its longest winning streak of the season. The A’s trail first-place Houston by three games in the AL West and own a comfortable lead for the second wild card. Daniel Mengden (7-6) pitched five innings of no-hit relief after entering in the second for starter Liam Hendriks, who went one inning by design.Baltimore’s lone hit was a clean single to left field in the first by Trey Mancini. The final 20 batters went down in order following a third-inning walk to Jace Peterson.“We didn’t hit anything hard,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Nothing to really put your arms around and feel proud of.”The A’s have already clinched their 10th series win in the last 13 (10-1-2) and will go for a three-game sweep of the woeful Orioles on Thursday night. After going a major league-best 34-15 since the All-Star break, Oakland is 32 games over .500 (89-57) for the first time since September 2003.Baltimore has lost six in a row to fall to 41-104 Aaron Altherr Jersey , the worst record in the majors. It’s the eighth time this season the Orioles have been mired in a skid of at least six games.After breezing through the first two innings, Cashner never got another out. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Matt Chapman, who hit a two-run double.Jed Lowrie and Khris Davis followed with singles before Olson hit his 26th home run. Three singles and a walk followed before Cody Carroll retired Laureano.Chapman followed with an RBI single for the 10th run.“Pretty remarkable inning,” Melvin said. “You don’t see that happen very often. It was nice to be able to create a little distance.”There was one remaining moment of suspense. Needing a home run to complete the cycle in the ninth inning, Laureano looked at a called third strike.TRAINER’S ROOMAthletics: Oakland has used the disabled list 26 times this season, compared to 23 last year. The club record is 27, set in 2016.Orioles: DH Mark Trumbo (knee surgery) and LHP Richard Bleier (lat surgery) dropped by the clubhouse, even though both are done for the year. The hope is that both will be available at the start of the 2019 season. “We like where it’s headed. Everything’s been fine,” Showalter said. “I wouldn’t commit that they’re both going to be there on opening day, but there’s a chance.”YOUTH IS SERVEDLeft fielder DJ Stewart became the 14th player to make his major league debut with Baltimore this season, tying the Orioles record set in 1955.The Orioles will start a pair of rookie pitchers in the upcoming series against the White Sox. Luis Ortiz — part of the haul in the July trade for Jonathan Schoop — makes his first major league start Friday night, and Yefry Ramirez will go Saturday.UP NEXTAthletics: LHP Brett Anderson (3-4 http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-chase-utley-jersey , 4.02 ERA), who has a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against Baltimore, gets the ball in the series finale Thursday night.Orioles: Dylan Bundy (7-14, 5.58 ERA) looks for his first victory since July 29. He’s 0-5 in his last seven starts with 11 home runs allowed. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Another solid outing from Mike Fiers and Jed Lowrie’s 100th career home run helped the surging Oakland Athletics move a step closer to first place in the AL West.The Seattle Mariners, who were eight games ahead of Oakland six weeks weeks ago, are just trying to stick around in the wild-card race, a task that got a little tougher following an injury to ace James Paxton’s pitching arm.Jed Lowrie hit a two-run homer after his line drive knocked Paxton out of the game in the first inning, and Oakland beat Seattle 3-2 on Tuesday night to move within one game of the slumping Houston Astros.Fiers (8-6) gave up two runs on six hits in six innings with five strikeouts in his second start since being acquired in a trade from Detroit.Oakland won its fourth straight and improved to 17-6 since the All-Star break. The Astros have been in first since June 14 and led by as many as six games in late July, while the A’s haven’t had a share of first place this late in a season since Aug. 25, 2014.“We feel good,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ve got some confidence Richie Ashburn Jersey , obviously, because of the stretch. But I don’t think anybody’s thinking about that right now. We’re just trying to win.”It got a bit easier after Paxton’s early exit. He allowed a home run to Marcus Semien and struck out Matt Chapman before Lowrie lined a 2-1 pitch up the middle that hit the left-hander.“It got all muscle,” Paxton said. “It’s just swollen right now. It tightened up right away. By the time I walked off the mound it was starting to puff up.”Mariners manager Scott Servais said Paxton will miss at least one start.“We’ll know more in the next coming days and how the swelling is,” Servais said. “It’s unfortunate, but looking on the bright side, we probably got a little lucky. It could have been a lot, lot worse.”Felix Hernandez replaced Paxton in the first relief appearance of his career after 398 starts. The former Cy Young Award winner, who has struggled all year and was demoted to the bullpen last week, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.“It was weird,” Hernandez said. “I just grabbed the ball and tried to throw as many pitches as I could, trying to get loose. I know my body, I know my arm. I was ready to go.”Hernandez’s stay in the bullpen might not last long. He’s expected to take Paxton’s turn in the rotation until the left-hander returns.“Paxton has been a horse for us all year. He’s had a great season Chuck Klein Jersey ,” Servais said. “But there’s nothing you can do. It was a comebacker that was hit really hard. I knew right away when I went out there it wasn’t going to be good.”Robinson Cano returned to Seattle’s lineup after serving an 80-game suspension for using a diuretic that can mask performance-enhancing drugs. The eight-time All-Star batted second and played first base, going 1 for 4.Four Oakland relievers combined to pitch three scoreless innings. Blake Treinen worked the ninth for his 32nd save in 36 opportunities.Hernandez (8-11) walked Khris Davis but pitched out of the jam in the first. He ran into trouble in the third after a two-out walk to Chapman. Lowrie followed with his 19th homer this season.“It was a pretty good curveball. I think he was sitting on it,” Hernandez said. “I just have to attack the hitters, attack the strike zone and make good pitches.”Cameron Maybin homered for Seattle.ODDS AND ENDSThe A’s are 38-12 since June 16, their best 50-game stretch since 2005. … Semien’s leadoff homer was the second of his career. The other came Sept. 26, 2017 and was also off Paxton. … Maybin has a nine-game hitting streak.TRAINER’S ROOMMariners: 2B Dee Gordon was back in the lineup after sitting out the series opener with a bruised right shoulder he suffered sliding into a base in Houston on Sunday.UP NEXTSeattle RHP Mike Leake (8-7, 4.11 ERA) seeks his first win in three starts against Oakland this season. Leake has five consecutive quality starts. LHP Brett Anderson (2-3, 4.53) is 2-1 since coming off the disabled list.

League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Asdrubal Cabrera Jersey , according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.Swanson has been out since Sept. 25 with a partially torn ligament in his hand, and the issue is bad enough to keep him off the playoff roster for the opening series.The 24-year-old finished the season hitting .238 with 14 home runs and 10 stolen basis in 136 games.Perhaps most importantly, he is an above-average defender at a premium position who ranked third in the National League with a .981 fielding percentage at shortstop, per Baseball Reference.The Braves were reportedly "cautiously optimistic" that Swanson would be healthy enough to return to the field in time for the start of the postseason, per Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Unfortunately, he felt discomfort after taking swings on Saturday http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tug-mcgraw-jersey , according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.Swanson will hope he can be healthy enough to play in time for the NLCS, assuming Atlanta is able to advance beyond the first round.Meanwhile, utilityman Charlie Culberson will likely move into the starting lineup at shortstop after filling in for Swanson over the final week of the regular season.The 29-year-old has played seven different positions this season verything but catcher and center field ncluding 15 starts at shortstop. After hitting .270 with a .792 OPS this year, the Braves will be in good shape even without one of their top young players. Not long after he was traded to the Seattle Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays are set to acquire former Cleveland Indians slugger Edwin Encarnacion in a three-team trade.Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic had the details of the trade.Encarnacion to #Mariners, Carlos Santana to #Indians in three-team trade Juan Lagares Jersey , sources tell The Athletic. #Rays also involved, getting player from CLE. First: @jonheyman.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018Money exchanged in the three-team trade, per source:$5M from #Rays to #Mariners.$6M from #Mariners to #Indians.Encarnacion owed $25M for one year, including $5M buyout.Santana, headed to #Indians http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-travis-d_arnaud-jersey , owed $35M for two years, including $500K buyout.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2018So Encarnacion's tenure as a Seattle Mariner will be very short and sweet. The Mariners acquired Carlos Santana from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Jean Segura blockbuster trade completed last week. In flipping Santana to Cleveland and Encarnacion back to Tampa, the rebuilding Mariners clear out more money.As for the Rays, the front office finally found that slugger they've wanted for quite some time. The addition of Encarnacion comes a day after Tampa signed former Houston Astros pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year deal worth $30 million.advertisingEncarnacion is in the final season of a three-year deal worth $60 million, signed with the Indians in the 2016 offseason. He was part of two AL Central division winning teams Noah Syndergaard Jersey , but Encarnacion's stats dipped significantly when he left the Toronto Blue Jays for 'The Land'. Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY SportsDespite a lower batting average and higher strikeout rate in Cleveland, Encarnacion remains one of the most potent sluggers in all off baseball. He's now hit 30-plus homers in seven straight years, with at least 100 RBIs in six of those seasons.advertisingWhat This MeansThe Rays finished with a 90-72 record last season, good for third in the AL East. With a new standout pitcher in Morton and a big time hitter on the way, this team has the chance to make some serious noise and contend for the playoffs.Cleveland brings back a fan favorite that spent eight years in the organization, all while cutting payroll. And the Mariners clear out even more money as they try to save up http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-yoenis-cespedes-jersey , with an eye on the future.This looks like a clear win-win for all three teams.

ARLINGTON Cheap Tre'Davious White Jersey , Texas (AP) —  whomever that may be, will have a talented group of 20-something position players who got a lot of experience during a 95-loss season.After deciding who will replace Jeff Banister, general manager Jon Daniels has to find some starting pitchers.The Rangers also go into the offseason awaiting a final decision from future Hall of Fame third baseman Adrian Beltre on if he has indeed played his last game after 21 seasons in the majors with 3,166 hits and 477 home runs. He hit a team-best .273 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs in 119 games this year. Beltre got huge ovations from fans, teammates and opposing players when taken out midway through games the past two Sundays — in the home finale Sept. 23 and then Sunday in Seattle, where he played five seasons before one year in Boston and the last eight in Texas. His wife and 12-year-old son, who has his own locker next to his dad in the home clubhouse, were in the front row for the season finale.“I don’t know if this is going to be it, but I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Beltre, who turns 40 next April. He is expected to take a week or more to think things over.Shortstop Elvis Andrus, at 30 the team’s longest-tenured player with 10 seasons in Texas, also has a decision to make. He is halfway through a $120 million, eight-year contract that offers him the opportunity to opt out this offseason, or next, and become a free agent.“I’ll go into the offseason and decide what’s best. I love being here. I want to retire as a Ranger. That’s my motivation,” said Andrus Authentic Tre'Davious White Jersey , the only current Rangers player to be part of both of their World Series appearances. “Hopefully the big boy will come back. That will make it a lot easier.”As for the manager, bench coach Don Wakamatsu served in the interim role after Banister was fired with 10 games left and is considered a candidate for the job.The Rangers won the AL West in each of Banister’s first two years (2015-16). They now have consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2005-08, though Daniels said that wasn’t necessarily the manager’s fault when the focus switched to the development of younger players.Seven position players 25 or younger played at least 106 games this season.That includes Jurickson Profar, the likely starting third baseman if Beltre retires. Profar, who at age 19 in 2012 homered in his first big-league at-bat before shoulder issues forced him to miss two full seasons, hit .254 with 20 homers and 77 RBIS in 146 games while playing all four infield positions. Joey Gallo, the 24-year-old slugger, had his second 40-homer season in a row.MINOR ACHIEVEMENTWhen Mike Minor signed a three-year contract last offseason, he was coming off a season as a full-time reliever after missing two years because of left shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old lefty went 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 starts. He was the only pitcher to start and finish the season in the Rangers rotation. His 157 innings more than doubled his 77 2-3 in Kansas City last season.REST OF ROTATIONLefty Cole Hamels was traded in July to the Chicago Cubs, and inconsistent lefty Martin Perez likely won’t be brought back. Bartolo Colon, the 45-year-old right hander who became the winningest pitcher born in Latin America, isn’t coming back. Yovani Gallardo was 8-8 with a 5.77 ERA in 18 starts after rejoining Texas in June, right after injured Doug Fister (1-7, 4.50) made his final start.THUMB DOWNNomar Mazara missed a month on the disabled list because a sprained right thumb that still bothered him after returning to the lineup in mid-August. The 23-year-old right-fielder didn’t homer in his last 22 games, and hit 258 overall in 128 games with 20 homers for the third year in a row. He will see hand specialist this week and could have surgery.BALLPARK FAREWELLThe Rangers’ ballpark turns 25 next year, which will be the final season there before moving in 2020 to the new stadium being built across the street. The 2019 farewell season for the current ballpark opens March 28 against the Chicago Cubs — maybe against Hamels or Yu Darvish. LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers finally got the best of the Houston Astros and it took a pair of players not on last year’s World Series roster to do it.Brian Dozier delivered a two-run double in the first inning and Manny Machado had three hits with two runs scored as the Dodgers defeated the Astros 3-2 on Sunday.With the Dodgers struggling for offense against the team that beat them for the World Series title in seven games last fall, it was the new additions who came through. Machado was acquired from Baltimore during the All-Star break and Dozier came over from Minnesota at last week’s trade deadline.“You really never know what you’re going to get when a guy goes to a new club, but I think the intent Cheap Christian McCaffrey Jersey , the at-bat quality to a man with those two guys has been very consistent,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “The results will be there, but I just like the approach on every pitch.”George Springer and Tony Kemp homered for the Astros, who took the weekend series by winning the first two games.A two-time All-Star, Springer exited in the third with left thumb discomfort after he was thrown out trying to steal second base. It’s unclear how long the 2017 World Series MVP might be sidelined.“At first, I thought it was the base that caught him and then when I got out there both (Chris) Taylor and Dozier told me that the glove clipped his (left) hand,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “He was in a lot of pain. It bothered him, so it was an easy decision to bring him out. He is going to get evaluated. Other than that I have no idea.”New reliever Roberto Osuna did not pitch in his first game on the active roster for Houston. Osuna was reinstated from the restricted list after serving a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. The All-Star closer was acquired Monday in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays while he was still serving his suspension.Before the game, Osuna met his new Astros teammates and addressed the club for 10 minutes in a closed-door meeting.Springer’s home run to open the game was his 19th of the season. He has 24 career leadoff homers, six this season.Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (5-4) gave up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 31st save.Astros starter Gerrit Cole (10-4), a product of nearby UCLA, allowed three runs on six hits in five innings with one walk and eight strikeouts.“Poor slider command today. I had to find a second option after that,” Cole said.After Springer homered, the Dodgers responded quickly on Dozier’s two-run double with two outs in the first.The power-hitting second baseman has five extra-base hits and seven RBIs in five games (four starts) with the Dodgers.“First of all, it was a big win to salvage while facing a real good pitcher in Gerrit Cole,” Dozier said. “I think we got to him a little bit. We squared him up a few times early on and kind of rattled him a little bit and he made some mistakes.”Cody Bellinger made it 3-1 with an RBI double in the third. Kemp’s homer cut it to 3-2 in the fifth.Jake Marisnick, who replaced Springer in center field, reached over the wall to rob Taylor of a home run in the sixth.The Dodgers hit three more Astros batters with pitches Authentic Christian McCaffrey Jersey , and Springer was knocked down by an inside fastball from Buehler. In the series, Los Angeles pitchers plunked seven Houston hitters.“If they are hitting us then they are pitching inside,” Hinch said. “I think a couple of them were breaking balls. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it.”OLD COLLEGE TRYKemp struck out and homered against Buehler — the two were teammates at Vanderbilt in 2013. Buehler knows the home run will carry more weight, though.“I’ll hear about it, but we won so it was OK,” he said.Kemp led Vanderbilt to the 2011 College World Series, while Buehler was on the Commodores’ 2014 and 2015 College World Series clubs.“I don’t know if I get bragging rights, but Walker did a good job today,” Kemp said. “He pitched above the zone, he used his fastball well and got ahead with the curveball. It felt good to get a homer off him right there, but in the end we didn’t win.”TRAINER’S ROOMAstros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the 10-day disabled list because of right elbow discomfort and sent back to Houston to be examined by team doctors. … 2B Jose Altuve (right knee soreness) was sent back to Houston for further examination, with Hinch saying it “feels like” a setback in the sense that Altuve will not come off the DL when he is eligible this week.Dodgers: OF Yasiel Puig was unavailable after feeling some oblique soreness a week after returning from the DL. … OF Matt Kemp (bruised left ankle) was able to pinch-hit. … 3B Justin Turner (right groin strain) was given the day off to ease him back into regular playing time after he came off the disabled list Thursday.UP NEXTAstros: RHP Charlie Morton (12-2, 2.90 ERA), who has won five of his last six decisions, will open a two-game series at San Francisco on Monday.Dodgers: LHP Rich Hill (4-4, 3.63) starts Tuesday in the opener of a two-game series at Oakland against the team that dealt him to the Dodgers at the 2016 non-waiver trade deadline.

 Friday night in St. Petersburg Orlando Arcia Jersey , Fla.Blake Snell, the American League pitcher of the month for August, goes for the Tampa Bay Rays against the floundering Dylan Bundy and the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.While Snell is 17-5 with a 2.02 ERA and a Cy Young candidate after going 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA in August, Bundy hasn’t won since July 29 — and it has been ugly.Article continues below ...The Rays, 22-11 since the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline to sneak into the American League wild-card picture, come in 7-3 in their last 10 games. They were still a long shot for the playoffs and if they don’t make it they can point to their troubles with the lowly Orioles as a key reason.The Birds fly in with 41 wins but are 8-8 against the Rays, outscoring them 102-77 in those 16 games.“I think every year, there are some teams Jonathan Villar Jersey , for whatever reason — I won’t say match up well, because I think we match up well with a lot of clubs, we just don’t perform well,” Rays manager Kevin Cash says. “We’ve got an opportunity to perform well. …“It’s a big series. It’s a big homestand. We’re going to face some teams who are in different spots in the standings right now, but I’ve said it for a long time, Baltimore is a team with a lot of young guys who are getting opportunities.”Snell, who has a streak of 14 straight home games (dating to last season) of allowing one earned run or fewer runs, has one of his losses against the Orioles. On May 13 http://www.brewersfanproshop.com/authentic-lorenzo-cain-jersey , the left-hander worked 3 1/3 innings, giving up three home runs and five earned runs.He tied the club record with for wins in a month with four in August, yielding two earned runs in 22 innings. He has already equaled the 17 wins by Matt Moore in 2013. David Price holds the club mark of 20 wins, set in 2012.For the season, Snell, 1-2 with a 4.98 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore, has 177 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings.Bundy is 0-4 with an 8.51 ERA in his last six starts, allowing nine home runs in those games. He has yielded at least one homer in 10 straight starts while falling to 7-13 with a 5.36 ERA.He is 2-1 with a 4.62 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season and 3-3 with a 5.67 ERA in nine games (eight starts) against Tampa Bay in his career.The Orioles lost their 99th game of the season as Andrew Cashner allowed three home runs in a 5-2 loss to the Mariners on Wednesday night in Seattle.The Birds were 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in their latest failure.“There were some opportunities there Jhoulys Chacin Jersey ,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after that game. “It seems like every play we make is magnified by our inability to score runs.”The current Orioles are 11-for-44 (.250) lifetime against Snell. Adam Jones is 3-for-7 (.429) and Trey Mancini 3-for-8 (.375), and Mark Trumbo is 2-for-9 (.222).The current Rays are a combined 16-for-61 (.262) with five homers against Bundy — C.J. Cron with three of those homers while going 4-for-13 (.308) against the right-hander. Mallex Smith is 4-for-12 (.333) and Carlos Gomez is 1-for-7 (.143).The Rays should get Tommy Pham back from his latest injury. Pham was resting a sore groin Wednesday.“He’s missed enough time already with some fluke injuries that were out of his control,” Cash said. “So I think two days off will really do well. But he came in today feeling better.”The Orioles released veteran Craig Gentry on Wednesday, a surprising move for a September team going nowhere. Gentry had been designated for assignment last Friday. CHICAGO (AP) — Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers were on top of the NL Central for much of the season’s first half. Then Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs moved into the lead of what just might be baseball’s best division.Then Yelich powered the Brewers to one more charge.So of course, it’s going to extra innings.Milwaukee visits Chicago on Monday for the first tiebreaker in major league history in which the loser doesn’t go home. The winner advances to the Division Series, the loser to Tuesday’s wild-card game against the loser of the NL West tiebreaker later Monday between Colorado and the Los Angeles Dodgers.“Just like the last couple weeks, we’ve approached almost every one of these games like a do-or-die game,” Brewers slugger Ryan Braun said. “Tomorrow won’t be any different. Obviously Jeremy Jeffress Jersey , it will be a challenging place for us to go and win but we’re playing good baseball and if we go in there and do the things we’ve done over the last couple of weeks we’ll forget about where we are.”The winner at Wrigley Field gets home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs, starting with a Division Series on Thursday against the wild-card winner.“We put ourself in a position to come down to one game to win the division and get a couple days off,” Rizzo said after Sunday’s 10-5 victory over St. Louis. “If we win it, we’ll be ecstatic. If we lose, we’ve played more games in a row before, so we’ll be ready to play.”Chicago had a five-game lead on Sept. 2, but Milwaukee won seven straight and nine of 10 overall to finish with a 95-67 record. Yelich led the way, rising to the top of the NL MVP conversation and making a bid for the Triple Crown by hitting .383 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs in his last 30 games.“We need to be ready to go Jesus Aguilar Jersey ,” Yelich said. “They are a great team. We’ve played each other tough all year. It’s only fitting that we have to do one more.”The playoff-tested Cubs are going for their third straight NL Central title. They went 11-8 against the Brewers this season but dropped two of three in each of their two September series.Planning for a possible tiebreaker, Chicago has Jose Quintana lined up on regular rest. The left-hander is 6-2 with a 1.60 ERA in 10 starts against Milwaukee.“He’s pitched really well against us all year,” Yelich said. “I’m sure they know that. We know that. It’s going to come down to execution like it has all year. It should be a fun one.”Milwaukee did not announce a starter, but the Brewers’ deep bullpen might be the biggest concern for the Cubs.“The big thing is to get up early and hold onto a lead, that’s the big thing,” Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. “To stay out of the beefier part of their bullpen also, they’re very good.”

CHICAGO (AP) — for the Chicago Cubs following arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last month.Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein revealed Thursday that Morrow’s operation took place on Nov. 6. The Cubs waited to make an announcement because Morrow’s recovery will impact how they fill out the bullpen.“That’s why we weren’t broadcasting it http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-a.-j.-pollock-jersey ,” a smiling Epstein said. “We’ll have to set things up a little bit differently the first few weeks of the season. And it kind of underscores the need for depth and late-game options early in the year. I think for him, it will be a positive. It will completely address the issues that were bothering him last year. … It can really help him be strong late in the season as well.”Chicago also hired Tommy Hottovy as pitching coach to replace the departed Jim Hickey.Morrow led Chicago with 22 saves and had a 1.47 ERA in 35 games after signing a $21 million, two-year contract as a free agent. His final appearance was on July 15, with the Cubs ultimately shutting him down because of a bone bruise in his right elbow.Epstein said Morrow still felt discomfort, leading to the decision for surgery. Morrow is expected to start throwing in early February. Epstein said the surgery was similar to the procedure Yu Darvish had on his right elbow in September.Darvish “looks strong, looks healthy” and is “exactly where he should be in his progression,” according to Epstein. The Cubs expect Darvish to start throwing in a few weeks, another big step after a disappointing first season in Chicago. Darvish went 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts after signing a $126 million, six-year contract.Epstein said Kris Bryant is “progressing without limitations” after making two trips to the disabled list because of inflammation in his left shoulder, and Javier Baez will start next season at shortstop while Addison Russell continues to serve a 40-game domestic violence suspension.About that suspension, Epstein said “it’s appropriate” for fans to “hold us accountable for our words and to make sure that those translate into actions.”“I can just tell you that we are certainly intent on it Yasmany Tomas Jersey ,” he said, citing the Cubs’ increased training and work in the community.As for Hottovy, he joined the organization in 2015 as a major league scouting coordinator and has spent the past four seasons assisting pitchers and formulating game plans with the coaching staff. He made a combined 17 relief appearances with Boston in 2011 and 2012.Chicago ranked third in the majors last season with a 3.65 team ERA. The Cubs went 95-68 and lost to Colorado in the NL wild-card game.Hickey left after one season. Hitting coach Chili Davis was fired after one season and replaced by Anthony Iapoce.Chicago hired Terrmel Sledge as assistant hitting coach on Thursday after he spent the past two seasons working in the Dodgers’ organization. The Cubs expanded Mike Borzello’s duties, making him associate pitching coach in addition to catching and strategy coach.And they added former major league outfielder Chris Denorfia to manager Joe Maddon’s staff. Denorfia joined the front office a year ago as a special assistant to the president and general manager. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Here along the Strip, the Boston Red Sox are placing their bets on a new leadoff man.AL MVP Mookie Betts will hit second next year, a season after he led the big leagues in batting average and slugging percentage from the top spot.Andrew Benintendi will move up a slot and hit first for the majors’ highest-scoring team, manager Alex Cora said Tuesday at the winter meetings.“I think we’re going to maximize Mookie in a different spot. Flip-flop them, Beni leading off and Mookie hitting second. Talked to him, it makes sense,” Cora said.“You guys saw what happened towards the end of the season, he became very passive again http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-shelby-miller-jersey ,” he said. “And it’s not that I don’t like that, I know what type of hitter he is. But I think doing that, Beni can be aggressive. … He’s a good runner. He gets on base, and I put it this way to Mookie. And I know Beni’s OK with it. But if you play 162 games, you’re going to come up 162 at-bats with nobody on.”Betts topped the majors in batting (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) and was second in on-base average (.438) for the 108-win Red Sox. He also had 84 extra-base hits, including 32 home runs, and stole 30 bases.“Last year, what I wanted from him in the leadoff spot, we accomplished. It’s a different season and we have to make adjustments, and that’s where we’re going to go,” Cora said.Benintendi hit .290 with 16 homers Chris Owings Jersey , 87 RBIs and a .366 on-base average.Cora actually is hoping someone else bats leadoff when the Red Sox open next season on March 28 at Seattle — that would be Dustin Pedroia.The longtime Red Sox star was limited to only three games last season because of lingering knee problems. As a tribute, Cora would love to put Pedroia in the top spot, where he’s occasionally hit over the years, on that first day against the Mariners.The 35-year-old Pedroia has been working out, trying to get back on the field.“I’m looking forward for him to lead off that game. That’s the only time. I told the guys, if Pedey is going to play, if he’s ready for opening day, he’ll lead off that day. He deserves that,” Cora said.“He’s a huge part of this organization. What he did last year, think about it, man Archie Bradley Jersey , like he didn’t play, but he was there. He was there for them the whole time. And there were a lot of conversations in the cage, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, that he was a part of it,” he said.