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LOS ANGELES (AP) — X-ray and CT scan Steve Carlton Jersey , New York Mets starter Zack Wheeler was not about to call it a day after a 91-mph comebacker hit him square in the midsection.Wheeler gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy three pitches after he was hit by Justin Turner’s comebacker in the fourth inning but he still went seven sharp innings to lead the New York Mets over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 Wednesday.The CT scan was considered more of a precaution, according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway, and the X-ray was negative. A positive was yet another impressive outing from Wheeler, even if he did allow three earned runs, ending his run of eight consecutive outings with two earned runs or less.Callaway considered the comebacker to the chest and the Muncy home run to be connected.“It definitely can (be),” Callaway said. “You’re kind of rattled a little bit and he had some trouble catching his breath for a second. It can definitely come into play, but he settled down and finished the game. He was a little tight at the end of the game so it was a good thing he was out of pitches.”Wheeler was unavailable for comment afterward as he was off getting his scan before the team boarded its cross-country flight back to New York in advance of Thursday’s off day.Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger homered for the playoff-contending Dodgers, who lost for third time in their past 12 games. Los Angeles finished with three hits.Wilmer Flores had a pair of RBI singles and Amed Rosario got three hits for the Mets, who went 5-4 on their road trip to Wrigley Field, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Rosario had a hit in all eight games he played on the trip to tie a career-best hit streak. He had 17 hits in the eight games.“Basically, what I am doing is that I am trusting myself more http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-aaron-nola-jersey ,” Rosario said through an interpreter. “What I am doing right now is working on putting the ball in play. That’s bringing the success right now.”Wheeler (10-7) retired the first 11 batters before Justin Turner hit a liner in the fourth inning that struck the pitcher. The exit velocity on Turner’s ball was clocked at 91 mph.Wheeler got a visit from the Mets’ medical staff before Muncy went deep. Overall, he allowed three runs and three hits, striking out nine and walking two.It was the first time Wheeler gave up more than two earned runs since July 14. He is 8-1 with a 1.86 ERA over his last 10 outings and has gone seven innings in six of his last seven starts.“These guys (the Dodgers), obviously they are swinging hard, trying to put it over the fence,” Callaway said about Wheeler’s liberal use of his breaking pitches. “You have to not allow them to sit on one speed. If you were just throwing al fastballs and sliders, or fastballs and changeups, you’re going to have a rough night. Mixing in a curveball gives a little more separation speed wise.”Flores singled home a run in the fourth and another in the fifth. Austin Jackson and Rosario also had RBI singles.Muncy hit his 32nd home run and Bellinger connected off Wheeler for his 22nd.“I was kind of just going based off what I’d seen on him in his past games,” Muncy said of hitting against Wheeler. “When he gets a guy on first he likes to go with his changeup. Then I took a chance and it paid off for me. He left it up in the zone. If he’d have left it down in the zone I probably wouldn’t have hit it but he made a mistake and that was probably one of the only mistakes he made all day.”Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2) gave up five runs on 11 hits over six innings with no walks and eight strikeouts.PLAWECKI SENT FOR CT SCANWheeler was not the only Mets player to receive a postgame CT scan. Catcher Kevin Plawecki also got one on his ribs after he was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning by Dodgers pitcher Pat Venditte.Like Wheeler, Plawecki’s scan was considered a precaution before the team boarded its flight to New York. With catcher Devin Mesoraco dealing with next and back discomfort after injuring himself on a swing Monday, getting another catcher to Citi Field this weekend is likely.“That would probably make sense Juan Samuel Jersey ,” Callaway said. “We have a day off (Thursday) so we have time to evaluate the situation. But we might need to do that.”TRAINER’S ROOMDodgers: RHP Kenley Jansen is not expected to travel to Colorado this weekend after a team cardiologist recommended he not pitch at altitude after suffering an irregular heartbeat episode in Denver last month. . RHP Ross Stripling (lower back inflammation) threw 34 pitches in a simulated game, plus more in the bullpen, and is expected to come off the disabled list Saturday at Colorado.UP NEXTAfter an off-day Thursday, Mets LHP Steven Matz (5-11, 4.20 ERA) is scheduled to open a three-game series at Citi Field against the Phillies. Matz is coming off a career-best 11 strikeouts Saturday at San Francisco. After an off-day Thursday, Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.40) will open a three-game series at Colorado where he is 9-4 in 20 career starts with a 4.65 ERA. PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks had chances to win in the ninth inning, again in the 10th, and the next three innings after that.After all those chances and more than 4 1/2 hours of baseball, David Peralta finally ended it with his first walk-off home run.Peralta hit his second solo homer off the game off the top of the wall in the 14th inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied from a two-run deficit in the ninth to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Monday night.“I always wondered what it felt like to hit a walk-off homer,” Peralta said. “It’s something you can’t even describe.”Phillies starter Jake Arrieta allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings Larry Andersen Jersey , leaving with a 2-0 lead.His chance at a fifth straight win came undone in the ninth.Peralta hit a one-out solo homer off Seranthony Dominguez, and Steven Souza Jr. followed Eduardo Escobar’s double with a tying single. Luis Garcia replaced Dominguez and walked two to load the bases, but got pinch hitter A.J. Pollock to ground out.Yoshihisa Hirano (3-2) didn’t allow a hit the final two innings, with Jorge Alfaro just missing a homer to right for the final out of the 14th.The Diamondbacks kept putting runners in scoring position, but failed getting that crucial hit until Peralta hit the first pitch he saw from Austin Davis (1-2) off the wall and out in left-center. Peralta was mobbed at the plate after ending the Phillies’ five-game winning streak with one swing.“This is the type of baseball we were used to playing last year, done it in spurts this year and couldn’t have come at a better time,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.Arrieta underwent a massive turnaround in July, going 4-0 with a 2.80 ERA in six starts after going 0-4 with a 6.66 ERA in June.The right-hander is second in the NL at inducing groundball double plays with 19 and got another in the second inning to strand Escobar after a leadoff double.Arrieta was lifted after 110 pitches and seemingly in great position, only to watch it go up in smoke with the ninth-inning blowup.“He pitched great and we definitely strive to win baseball game like that for a starting pitcher who performs like Jake did,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said.Arizona’s Zack Godley matched Arrieta nearly pitch for pitch until Odubel Herrera hit a run-scoring triple in the seventh inning and Jorge Alfaro followed with a sacrifice fly.Godley allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings.DOMINGUEZ’S STRUGGLESAfter Dominguez gave up the two runs in the ninth, Kapler did not hesitate to bring him out. The right-hander has 12 saves this season http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-robin-roberts-jersey , but has been struggling of late and Kapler didn’t want to take a chance the game would end in the ninth.“This is not his best. I am not blind,” Kapler said. “I understand the reality is he is not pitching his best right now, but we are not wavering in our confidence whatsoever. We can’t wait to get him back out on the mound because we understand how good he is and the talent will prevail.”YOSHI’S AT-BATIn the 13th inning, Lovullo faced a dilemma: Hirano was due up third, but Lovullo wanted him to come back to pitch the 14th to save his bullpen. Lovullo initially told Hirano not to swing, but then relented after the Japanese rookie pleaded.Hirano had yet to have an at-bat in the majors and was 2 for 21 during his career in Japan, but nearly won the game before grounding out, sending a flare to right that landed just foul with a runner on second base.“It would have been a monumental moment in Arizona Diamondbacks baseball,” Lovullo said. “The fact that he made contact is a miracle, but it speaks volumes about what these guys are trying to do.”TRAINER’S TABLEDiamondbacks: 3B Jake Lamb is expected to have left shoulder surgery on Aug. 15 to repair a frayed rotator cuff. … Pollock did not start for the second straight game to rest his fatigued legs.UP NEXTDiamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke is coming off his first loss in nine starts heading into Tuesday’s game against the Phillies after giving up two runs in six innings of a loss to the San Francisco Giants. Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings in his only career start against Arizona.

Melisa Reidy-Russell http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-jimmie-foxx-jersey , the ex-wife of Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, will speak to Major League Baseball investigators regarding domestic violence allegations she made against him.Per ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers,Reidy-Russell explained why she is ready to speak now after not wanting to speak with MLB about the allegations in 2017."Last year, when MLB contacted me, I wasn't ready," Reidy-Russell said. "I didn't know what was the right thing to do. I didn't even believe in myself enough to think I should do that (cooperate). I just left my husband and all this blew up."When the allegations against Russellfirst came to light through a friendofReidy-Russell's on Instagram in June 2017, she declinedto speak with MLB investigatorsthrough a statement from her lawyers."It is her desire to pursue a resolution that is, first and foremost Johnny Pesky Jersey , in the best interest of the parties' son, and which occurs in a swift, amicable and private fashion," thestatementissued byBeermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP on Reidy-Russell's behalf said.Reidy-Russell told Rogers her lawyers didn't think she was emotionally prepared to discuss the situation and wanted her to wait until she was ready."They told me I didn't have to do it on their timeline," she said. "I told them I wanted to wait until after my divorce."Reidy-Russell accused Russell of multiple instances of emotional and physical abuse in a post thatpublished on her websiteon Sept. 21.MLB placed Russell on administrative leave as it continues to investigate the matter. Per The Athletic'sKen Rosenthal, the league extended the former All-Star's leave through the end of the regular season on Sunday. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers star Manny Machado has been fined by Major League Baseball for kicking Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the NL Championship Series.MLB fined Machado an undisclosed amount Wednesday, a day after the baserunning incident caused the benches to clear at Dodger Stadium and prompted Brewers MVP candidate Christian Yelich to call Machado a “dirty player.”“I don’t think we’re too concerned about any other teams’ comments about our players,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday before Game 5. “I know speaking for Manny http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-carl-yastrzemski-jersey , he’s preparing to help us win. It’s really not at the forefront of our mind.”Machado was running to first on a grounder in the 10th inning of Game 4, and Aguilar left his right foot partly across the base for a moment after catching the ball. Already out, Machado brought his left foot forward and kicked Aguilar in the back of the leg.“He’s a player that has a history of those types of incidents,” Yelich said. “One time is an accident. Repeated over and over and over again, you’re just a dirty player. It’s a dirty play by a dirty player.”Brewers manager Craig Counsell wasn’t concerned the incident would distract from his team’s focus in the best-of-seven series.“You say to yourself, ‘Two games from the World Series.’ That’s all you’ve got to say,” Counsell said. “The other stuff just washes away, man. That’s meaningless to me.”Some have questioned Machado’s sportsmanship since he tossed his bat toward third base during an incident against the Oakland Athletics in 2014. Former Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez wondered on the FS1 postgame show whether the string of incidents could affect Machado’s impending free agency after the season.“It’s a beauty pageant. You have 30 owners — all want you right now Ted Williams Jersey ,” he said. “You don’t want four, five owners to sit around and say, ‘Hey, dude, you see what Manny did? Did you see that? Oh, yeah, yeah, we’re out. We like him Jim Rice Jersey , but now we’re out.’ You’re losing tens of millions of dollars by the second if that becomes the narrative.”Machado, whose late slide last year injured Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, has been checked a couple times in this NLCS because of close slides into second.Machado gave Aguilar a brief hug after hitting a single in the 13th inning. The shortstop later scored the winning run, sliding home to give Los Angeles a 2-1 win that evened the NLCS at two games each.Both Machado and Aguilar said after the game that they had no quarrel with each other, and Aguilar said Machado apologized to him.The players’ union declined comment on Machado’s fine.

 return to San Diego’s rotation and a big boost from Franmil Reyes‘ bat put Arizona in a deeper hole in the NL West.Reyes homered twice and had four RBIs http://www.kansascitychiefsteamonline.com/patrick-mahomes-ii-jersey , Mitchell pitched five effective innings in his return from the DL and the Padres knocked off the playoff-contending Diamondbacks 6-2 Monday night.“I just tried to take one pitch at a time and not really let things speed up,” said Mitchell, who earned his first win since April 12, 2017. “It had been a while so that first inning was kind of different, but we were able to get out with one run, limit the damage there. I definitely settled in after that.”Mitchell (1-3) was sharp in his first start off the DL due to a right elbow impingement, holding the Diamondbacks to a run on two hits — all in the first inning.Reyes hit a three-run homer off Zack Godley (14-8) in the second inning and a solo shot off the right-hander in the fourth. Austin Hedges added a two-run single in the eighth inning for the Padres, who have won five of seven.Reyes had his first career multihomer game and has homered in five of the past nine games to extend his hitting streak to nine games.“He looks really confident in the batter’s box,” Padres manager Andy Reid said. “I can’t really think of anybody in big league baseball who has as much pop or more pop than him.”Steven Souza Jr. had a run-scoring single in the first inning and Paul Goldschmidt an RBI double in the eighth for Arizona. The Diamondbacks were limited to five hits in their fourth loss in five games, dropping two games behind Colorado in the NL West.“This is a group of guys that have done it before. They have done it this year at times Authentic Derwin James Jersey ,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “It obviously hasn’t been as consistent as we have seen it. The same theme I have been talking about. Grind it out, keep getting after it, stay with the process. If it is not there for you, hand it off to the next guy.”The Diamondbacks returned to the desert after a difficult trip to Southern California. Arizona entered a four-game series with the Dodgers atop the division and left a game back after Los Angeles won three of four. All three loses came when the Dodgers rallied late, including Matt Kemp’s two walk-off hits off Archie Bradley.The Diamondbacks found themselves needing to rally after Godley walked the first two batters of the second inning and Reyes followed with a three-run homer to the pool deck in right-center to put San Diego up 3-1.Godley gave up two hits for the second straight start, but both were home runs. He allowed four runs and struck out six in five innings.“I felt like I made really, really good pitches,” Godley said. “I made two bad pitches on the night. Both of them I paid for.”LOPEZ RECALLEDThe Diamondbacks recalled RHP Yoan Lopez from Double-A Jackson and transferred 3B Jake Lamb to the 60-day disabled list. Arizona signed Lopez to an $8.27 million bonus coming out of Cuba in 2015, but he spent four seasons in the minors and at one time considered leaving baseball. The 25-year-old was 2-5 with 12 saves and led Southern League relievers in opponent average at .174. Lamb had season-ending left shoulder surgery last month.PADRES MOVESSan Diego reinstated RHP Luis Perdomo (right shoulder) from the 10-day disabled list and RHP Kirby Yates from the bereavement list. Both will work in the Padres’ bullpen.TRAINER’S ROOMDiamondbacks: Catcher Alex Avila had a foul ball bounce off the dirt and hit him in the throat in the third inning, but stayed in the game before being replaced by a pinch hitter in the seventh.UP NEXTDiamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray has allowed three runs or less his past five starts heading into Tuesday’s game against the Padres. San Diego LHP Joey Lucchesi is winless in four career starts against the Diamondbacks with a 7.71 ERA. HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros are brimming with confidence Authentic Aaron Donald Jersey , even after a Game 2 AL Championship Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox.For proof, just see Bregman’s social media feed.Hours after Boston beat Houston 7-5 to even the best-of-seven series at a game each, Bregman shared video Monday on Instagram of the Astros hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs against Game 3 Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi from a game in June.“Lil pregame video work,” he wrote.Eovaldi will oppose Dallas Keuchel in Houston on Tuesday after Rick Porcello was used in relief during Game 2, when the Astros took their first loss of the postseason. Eovaldi’s previous start against the Astros didn’t go well. The right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs in a 5-1 loss June 20 while with Tampa Bay, including a season-high four homers.Three of those were hit in succession by George Springer, Bregman and Jose Altuve in the sixth inning.The Astros didn’t work out Monday, so the brazen 24-year-old Bregman wasn’t available to reporters. Plenty of others weighed in, though, including Astros manager AJ Hinch. He had no issue with the online barb.“Welcome to the current generation Aaron Donald Jersey Elite ,” Hinch said. “Obviously there’s fun banter. … We want guys to have their personalities, have their fun. Then go out and back it up.”Eovaldi didn’t seem bothered by the video, saying he doesn’t have social media but some of his teammates told him about it.Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who is close with Bregman from his time as Houston’s bench coach last season, brushed off the notion that Bregman’s video could provide an added push for his team Tuesday.“If you need motivation in Game 3 of the ALCS, you better check yourself,” he said. “Because you win three more games, you go to the show, and that’s what should motivate you. Alex has different ways of motivating himself. And whatever. I’ll leave it at that.”Tuesday will be Keuchel’s ninth postseason start and first since allowing four hits and two runs in five innings of Houston’s 11-3 win over the Indians in Game 3 of the Division Series on Oct. 8. The 30-year-old left-hander has been overshadowed by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole this season, but Hinch raved about the adjustments he’s made to continue to help the Astros.“Dallas has had to handle success when the league has tried to adjust to him http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/derwin-james-jersey ,” Hinch said. “He’s adjusted back, and he’s gone back to his strengths in the back half of this season where his two-seam fastball, his changeup, his occasional cutter is good against anyone.”Eovaldi made his postseason debut in Game 3 of this year’s ALDS against the New York Yankees, yielding five hits and one run in seven innings of the 16-1 victory. Now he’ll pitch just 30 miles from his hometown of Alvin, Texas, a suburb best known as the home of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.Eovaldi has long looked up to Ryan and said “words can’t really describe” what it was like when he met him while he was with the Yankees. He knows Ryan, an executive adviser to Astros owner Jim Crane, will likely be sitting behind the home plate Tuesday.“I don’t really notice people in particular in the stands,” he said. “I’m so focused on the game http://www.losangelesramsteamonline.com/aaron-donald-jersey , locking in on the catcher and things like that. And I feel that would take my attention away from everything if I’m scanning the crowds and stuff.”The Red Sox got good news Tuesday when ace Chris Sale was released from a hospital after an overnight stay because of a stomach illness. He was scheduled to join Boston in Houston on Tuesday night, and Cora said they’d decide when he’d pitch again after that.Houston’s Marwin Gonzalez was expected to play Tuesday despite dealing with chest and back soreness after crashing into the Green Monster trying to make a catch Sunday night. Hinch said last year’s MVP Altuve could be Houston’s designated hitter in Game 3 because he’s still struggling with a knee he bruised in the ALDS.“He’s doing his best,” Hinch said. “It’s not comfortable for him. I know he’s, what we call grinding and battling and doing everything that he can. … He’s able to be a productive player. But he’s battling a little bit.”

 Adam Warren and Zach Duke moved into the Seattle bullpen. Lance Lynn got a new look in pinstripes. Adam Duvall will be slugging for the Braves. And Ian Kinsler is primed for a playoff run with his new team Alex Gordon Jersey , the Red Sox.A day before the deadline to make trades without waivers, there were plenty of deals Monday.Hoping they could improve their bullpen without causing friction in the clubhouse, the defending World Series champion Houston Astros acquired Osuna from the Toronto Blue Jays for Ken Giles and two pitching prospects.The 23-year-old Osuna was a first-time All-Star last season, his second as the Blue Jays’ full-time closer, and finished with 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA.But he hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 6 because he’s been serving a 75-day suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. That suspension ends Sunday. Osuna was charged in May with one count of assault in Toronto, a charge that remains pending.The Astros have a zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence and released former prospect Danry Vasquez in March after video leaked of him hitting his girlfriend. Houston pitchers Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. used social media to voice their disgust about Vasquez’s actions after the video became public.Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said he reached out to several players and coaches before making the deal, and he clarified that the team policy does not apply to conduct that occurred when a player wasn’t in the Houston organization.”Quite frankly, I believe you can have a zero-tolerance policy and also have an opportunity to give people second chances when they have made mistakes in the past http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-george-brett-jersey , in other organizations,” Luhnow said. ”That’s kind of how we put those two things together.”Houston’s closest competitors in the AL West, the Mariners, also added to their relief corps. They got Duke from the Minnesota Twins for a pair of minor leaguers and acquired Warren from the Yankees, also for two minor leaguers.”Obviously a lot of teams are looking to add to the bullpen this time of year with the trade deadline coming up. I’m not surprised,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. ”It may not be the last thing we do.”The 35-year-old Duke was 3-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 45 appearances for the Twins. The lefty has limited left-handed batters to a .237 average this season.The 30-year-old Warren was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 24 appearances for the Yankees in a season interrupted by a lengthy stay on the disabled list because of a strained back. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.New York, competing with Boston in the AL East and with Seattle in the wild-card race, also made a move to replace Warren Mike Moustakas Jersey , acquiring Lynn from the Twins for first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin and right-handed prospect Luis Rijo.The 31-year-old Lynn made 20 starts for the Twins, going 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA. The righty is likely to become a long reliever with the Yankees.New York has Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and newly acquired J.A. Happ in its rotation, although Lynn could fill in if a starter is sidelined by injury.Late Monday, the Reds dealt Duvall to the Braves, who hope his bat will help them reach the playoffs for the first time in five years. The outfielder topped 30 homers in each of the past two seasons. He hasn’t maintained that pace this year Salvador Perez Jersey , with 15 homers in 105 games and a .205 batting average.Cincinnati got right-handers Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker in exchange.Boston acquired the 36-year-old Kinsler from the Los Angeles Angels to fill one of the few holes in its deep lineup. The Red Sox have been without star second baseman Dustin Pedroia for most of the season. Kinsler has been to the postseason three times with Texas and once with Detroit and could easily be playoff-bound again with Boston, which has the majors’ best record.The Angels, who are hovering around .500 and fourth in the AL West, sent cash to Boston along with Kinsler in exchange for Triple-A pitchers Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez.— A look at what’s happening around the majors today:HOW THE WEST IS WONAll-Star outfielder George Springer is expected to come off the disabled list for the Houston Astros when the defending champions visit Oakland for the opener of a pivotal three-game series between AL West contenders. Last year’s World Series MVP has been sidelined with a sprained left thumb. Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.88 ERA) pitches for the banged-up Astros, who have a two-game lead in the division over the surprising Athletics. Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.48) gets the ball for Oakland.ON PUNISHMENTUnless he appeals, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is scheduled to begin a two-game suspension when Los Angeles plays at Seattle in an interleague clash between playoff contenders. Puig also was fined Thursday by Major League Baseball for fighting and inciting a bench-clearing fracas against San Francisco. The penalties were announced two days after Puig took a swing at Giants catcher Nick Hundley http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-brandon-moss-jersey , who also was fined. … MLB also suspended Marlins pitcher Jose Urena for six games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. with his first pitch Wednesday night. Unless appealed, Urena’s ban is slated to start Friday at Washington.FAMILY TIESSan Francisco turns to right-hander Casey Kelly to start in Cincinnati after placing standout rookie Dereck Rodriguez on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Kelly is the son of Reds bench coach Pat Kelly. Rodriguez, the son of Hall of Fame catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, is 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 14 outings this season. The Giants have gone 9-3 in his starts. He was injured during the scrum between the Giants and Dodgers on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. The team says he sustained a Grade 1 strain. Casey Kelly (0-1, 1.42 ERA) pitched five scoreless innings of relief Saturday against Pittsburgh in his first major league appearance since 2016, then took the loss Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.CENTRAL SHOWDOWNSYadier Molina and the Cardinals host Milwaukee in a matchup of NL Central contenders chasing the first-place Cubs. Rookie right-hander Jack Flaherty (6-6, 3.22 ERA) starts for St. Louis, which had its eight-game winning streak snapped Thursday night with a 5-4 loss to Washington. Flaherty struck out a career-high 13 in his last start against the Brewers on June 22. Freddy Peralta (5-3 Bo Jackson Jersey , 4.47) goes for Milwaukee. … Cole Hamels looks to keep it going when the Cubs face Pittsburgh. Hamels is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA since Chicago acquired him from Texas at the trade deadline. Trevor Williams (10-8, 3.66) starts for the Pirates.MARQUEE MOUND MATCHUPAfter setting a franchise record by scoring 24 runs Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader at Philadelphia, the Mets send Noah Syndergaard (8-2, 3.22 ERA) to the mound against Phillies ace Aaron Nola (13-3, 2.28). With the help of 11 unearned runs, New York became the first NL team since the 1933 New York Giants to score 15 runs in consecutive games. The Mets routed Baltimore 16-5 on Wednesday night. They also are the only team since 1900 to have a win and a loss by at least 20 runs in the same season.

 the St. Louis Cardinals to remove the interim from his title as the team’s manager.Hours after the club announced Tuesday that it signed Shildt through the 2020 season http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-neil-walker-jersey , St. Louis showed why he canceled its intentions of a highly publicized offseason search for a skipper to replace Mike Matheny.With Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neill slamming two-run homers to complement seven good innings from rookie Jack Flaherty, the Cardinals improved to 27-12 under Shildt with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates to solidify their position atop the National League wild-card standings.Article continues below ...St. Louis (74-58) will attempt to win its 10th straight series Wednesday night when it plays the middle game of its set with Pittsburgh.“We just felt like we could not do better,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “Clearly the relationship he has with our players and coaching staff and front office and ownership, it just made this a very seamless decision. We didn’t agonize too much over it because we have a lot of confidence in him.”As they should. Shildt has played a more aggressive brand of baseball than Matheny preferred, unafraid to start runners regardless of the hitter or runner. He’s also helped revamp the bullpen, introducing young arms such as Dakota Hudson and Daniel Poncedeleon to high-leverage situations and also adding Opening Day starter Carlos Martinez to the mix last week.The effects could be obvious if St. Louis can continue this run and qualify for the playoffs. In Hudson and Martinez, it has two power arms who could play the Andrew Miller role that Cleveland manager Terry Francona created for its trade deadline acquisition in 2016, helping the Indians come within a win of breaking their now 70-year World Series drought.“Everybody’s doing their job, just having so much fun and competing,” Flaherty said.Miles Mikolas (13-3, 2.94) takes the mound for the Cardinals after his worst start of the year, allowing five runs (four earned) and 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings Friday night of a 7-5 win at Colorado. Mikolas gave up all his runs in the fifth inning, getting the hook one out shy of qualifying for his sixth straight win.The All-Star right-hander has faced the Pirates (64-68) three times this year Adrian Gonzalez Jersey , going 0-1 with a pair of no-decisions. He’s 1-1 in five career games with a 2.91 ERA.Opposing Mikolas is right-hander Trevor Williams (10-9, 3.44), who’s enjoying the best season of his three-year career. Williams is coming off a no-decision Aug. 22 in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta, pitching six innings and allowing only one run off two hits and two walks with four strikeouts.Williams has been outstanding in his last seven starts, permitting four runs over 42 innings, although he’s only 3-2 in that span. But he’s struggled mightily in 10 career games against St. Louis, posting a 2-4 mark with a 6.93 ERA and giving up a whopping 56 hits in only 37 2/3 innings. TORONTO — The Philadelphia Phillies are an example of how a team can turn things around from one season to the next.That should provide some encouraging new to fans at the Rogers Centre who have watched the Toronto Blue Jays struggle this season and last after reaching the American League Championship Series in 2015-16.The Phillies (69-58), who open a three-game interleague series against the Blue Jays (58-69) on Friday night, are still in contention in the National League East.Article continues below ...Right-hander Jake Arrieta (9-8, 3.25 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies in the opener and he will oppose Blue Jays rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki (2-3, 4.27).Arrieta has not faced the Blue Jays this season and is 4-2 with a 4.85 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against them.Borucki has never pitched against the Phillies.Philadelphia stopped a four-game losing streak Thursday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on a two-run homer by Odubel Herrera and superb pitching from Aaron Nola.The Phillies already have surpassed their win total from last season when they won 66 games. This season, they won their 66th game on Aug. 15.The Blue Jays, meanwhile Jose Bautista Jersey , are in a rebuilding phase, or as general manager Ross Atkins puts it, transitioning. Whatever terminology is used, the Blue Jays have played poorly this season and can be thankful that the Baltimore Orioles are even worse.The Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Orioles with a 6-0 victory on Wednesday afternoon with left-hander Thomas Pannone losing a no-hitter in the seventh inning in his first major-league start. The Blue Jays are 12-1 this season against the Orioles and 10-0 against them at home.This is the second meeting of the season between the Phillies and Blue Jays. Toronto won two of three games on May 25-27 in Philadelphia. One of the winning pitchers for the Blue Jays was J.A. Happ, who was traded to the New York Yankees last month.The Phillies recalled catcher Andrew Knapp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley before their game Thursday and put first baseman Justin Bour (left oblique strain) and right-hander Edubray Ramos (right index finger) on the 10-day disabled list.Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos (sore left wrist) said he hopes to return to action Friday. He missed the past three games after taking a pitch off a wrist while behind the plate and aggravated it swinging the bat Sunday. He had an MRI.“So far, the results of the MRI are good,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday. “We’ll monitor how he’s feeling and be prepared to read and react. As of right now, he’s good.”“It’s a little sore, but I can play with it sore,” said Ramos, who was obtained in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last month.At the time of the trade, Ramos was on the DL with a strained hamstring. After being activated, he had seven hits in 17 at-bats (.412) in four games http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-amed-rosario-jersey , including four doubles and a triple with four RBIs.The Blue Jays should have their rookie infielder Lourdes Gurriel (sprained left ankle) back in the lineup this weekend, possibly Friday. He has been on the disabled list since July 30.When Gurriel returns, he will be trying to prolong a streak of 11 straight games with at least two hits.Blue Jays designated hitter Kendrys Morales also will take a streak into Friday. He has homered in a career-best four straight games, for a total of five. Toronto expects to have right-hander Aaron Sanchez back in the starting rotation beginning Saturday. He injured his right middle index finger when it was caught in his falling suitcase.“The bag started falling, it happened all in a span of 30 seconds,” he said. “I pulled my finger, I said ‘ow.’ My knuckle got super fat. I pitched that day (at Anaheim), it probably didn’t help. But it was the first time I was going to pitch in front of my family as a professional. And I wanted to see what I could do.”Sanchez lasted one inning in the June 21 start against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two runs, and has been on the disabled list since.

 Chris Woodward as their manager Friday http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-sean-rodriguez-jersey , according toUSA TodaySports' Bob Nightengale.MLB Network's Jon Morosi confirmed the news.According to the Dodgers'official website, Woodward spent the past three seasons as the team's third-base and infield coach. He previously spent three years with the Seattle Mariners organization, serving as the franchise'sminor league infield coordinator in 2013 before being named the infield coach the following season and the first-base coach in 2015.Woodward does not have any big league managerial experience Felipe Vazquez Jersey , but he was New Zealand's skipper for the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifying games in 2016.As he was up forthe New York Yankees' job last year, the former MLB infielder explained why he felt he was a good candidate:MLB.com'sT.R. Sullivanreported Thursday that Woodward was one of 11 known candidates to interview for the Rangers' vacancy. Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi and ex-Mariners skipperDon Wakamatsu also interviewed.Woodward spent parts of 12 seasons in the majors, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays Starling Marte Jersey , the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves, Seattle and the Boston Red Sox. LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be without All-Star closer Kenley Jansen for a key weekend series with the Colorado Rockies after a team cardiologist recommended the right-hander not travel to Denver.Twice in his career Jansen has experienced an atrial fibrillation episode http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-willie-stargell-jersey , more commonly known as an irregular heartbeat, while the Dodgers were in the high altitude of Colorado.The most recent episode happened Aug. 9 before the start of a four-game series at Coors Field, with Jansen calling 911 when an accelerated heartbeat would not subside. His heart had to be shocked back into rhythm at a Denver hospital.Jansen went on the 10-day disabled list with an irregular heartbeat and began taking blood-thinning medication. He struggled upon his return Barry Bonds Jersey , giving up runs in four consecutive outings while taking a loss and blowing two save opportunities. He stopped taking the medication last week.The Dodgers began the day a half-game behind NL West-leading Colorado.“Whenever we get that decision from the doctor it’s sort of a no-brainer, but you have to applaud Kenley for feeling good and wanting to still kind of see it through,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But we sometimes have to take it out of the player’s hands to do what is best for him.”Jansen underwent a heart procedure in 2012 to aid the issue and said last month that he likely will undergo another procedure this offseason.Jansen will continue to keep his arm loose in Los Angeles while the Dodgers travel to Denver. He is expected to rejoin the team Monday for the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati.Roberts said that Jansen was available to pitch Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series with the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.The Dodgers could get a boost for the bullpen on Saturday when right-hander Ross Stripling is expected to come off the disabled list after recovering from a back issue. Roberts said the team will go into the series at Colorado without a set closer.

from the Washington Nationals Andrew Cashner Jersey , the veteran left-hander will make his Milwaukee Brewers debut Saturday when he takes the mound against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park.Gonzalez has looked little like the pitcher who finished in the top 10 of National League Cy Young voting a year ago. In 27 starts for the Nationals, he was 7-11 with a 4.57 ERA and had just one victory since May 28.The Brewers still had an interest, hoping he could provide depth down the stretch — as well as a left-handed starting option — as they try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.Article continues below ...“We acquired him to have another good pitcher and because you don’t know what’s going to happen in this month,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s his turn to go help us try to win a game.”Gonzalez hasn’t pitched in a game since Aug. 29, when he allowed six runs in five innings but took a no-decision as the Nationals fell to the Phillies. He will have 10 days off before returning to action Saturday but isn’t worried about any kind of rust factor.He also has used the downtime to his advantage, working extensively with Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson.“I don’t want to use any excuses http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-chance-sisco-jersey ,” Gonzalez said. “The way I see it is just give me the ball and I’m going to try and give you 100 percent of my talent. I’ll take the ball, make my pitches and try to get some outs. Rely on my defense and rely on our offense.“Hopefully, I can keep us in the game.”Gonzalez is 5-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 14 career starts against the Giants, including an 0-1 record and 7.56 ERA in two starts this season.He will face a lineup likely to be without shortstop Brandon Crawford, who was held out of Bruce Bochy’s starting lineup for a second straight day on Friday because of a sore knee that kept him out of three games last week as well.Bochy started switch-hitting Alen Hanson at short in the series opener and said he’ll give right-hander Abiatal Avelino the nod Saturday against Gonzalez.Right-hander Chris Stratton takes the mound against the Brewers, who tagged him for three runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief back earlier this season.Stratton took the loss his last time out despite holding the Mets to two runs in six innings but is 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA in his last three starts.He’s part of a group that has posted the third-best ERA in baseball since June 1 (3.37 heading into the series) but has been stymied by an offense that has struggled to generate runs.“They give us a chance Jeremy Hellickson Jersey , but you see the numbers; it’s just been tough since June 1 with the offense,” Bochy said. “A couple of guys getting hot, driving in runs, that’s what we’re missing.“Somebody’s got to do that for you to win ballgames. That’s what we’re missing.” NEW YORK (AP) — Boston will start former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi rather than Rick Porcello against New York in Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Monday.Red Sox manager Alex Cora says he made the decision because Porcello pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief in Friday’s opener and he wanted to give him an extra day of rest. Porcello is scheduled to pitch Game 4 on Tuesday.Eovaldi was 3-3 with a 3.33 in 11 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox, who acquired him from Tampa Bay in July. The 28-year-old right-hander, who throws at 97-98 mph http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-caleb-joseph-jersey , allowed no earned runs in three of four starts this year against the Yankees. He pitched for the Yankees in 2015 and ’16 before injuring his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery for the second time.New York starts Luis Severino in Game 3, followed by CC Sabathia. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.

CLEVELAND (AP) —for the 2019 All-Star Game.Inspired by the city’s deep musical history Jose Bautista Jersey , the team unveiled the logo for next year’s game — a red-white-and-blue guitar with a body bordered with baseball stitching.The blending of baseball and music is a not-so-subtle reminder to the rest of the country that Cleveland rocks.The Indians are hosting the annual mid-season event on July 9 for a record sixth time. And next year’s game coincides with the 25th anniversary of Progressive Field, which was known as Jacobs Field when it hosted the 1997 game.Owner Paul Dolan, MLB Deputy Commissioner Tony Petitti, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Indians manager Terry Francona, All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and first-base coach Sandy Alomar, who hit the game-winning home run for the American League in ’97 Troy Tulowitzki Jersey , attended Tuesday’s ceremony that officially begins the countdown to next year’s game.Plans for the logo began shortly after the team was awarded the game.“We ask them what do they want to do with their mission and what they wanted to do was celebrate Cleveland as the birthplace and spiritual home of rock and roll,” said Anne Occi, MLB’s vice president of design, who has been involved in creating All-Star logos for 28 years. “They wanted to talk us through the game and the experience and how the idea of baseball and rock and roll go together within the central part of Cleveland culture.”Occi said one of the biggest challenges in designing a logo that can be used across a variety of platforms — from merchandise to uniform patches to being painted on the field.She’s especially proud of the 2019 logo, which she described as “unique.”It’s certainly not divisive.Under pressure from MLB and others, the Indians will no longer wear the contentious Chief Wahoo on their caps and jerseys starting next season. And while there has been speculation that Cleveland conceded to the move in order to host the All-Star Game Marcus Stroman Jersey , the team has insisted the timing was just coincidental.Dolan said there was no discussion about Chief Wahoo in designing the All-Star logo.“That wasn’t even on our radar,” he said. “One, we did this a long time ago. The typical All-Star logo is the skyline of the city, maybe with the ballpark in the background, and we said we would like to do something different and we would like to draw on music as being a theme and that was the extent of our instruction.”Cleveland, which also hosted All-Star Games in 1935 http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-devon-travis-jersey , 1954, 1963 and 1981, has long been considered the birthplace of rock after local disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term “rock and roll.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened one year after Jacobs Field, and the two structures have been linked to the city’s downtown rebirth.The Indians and MLB officials have met with the Rock Hall about being incorporated into festivities around next year’s game.“You can see from the logo what we think the tie-in should be in Cleveland,” Petitti said. “We try to do something unique in every market we’re in, so music is what you can expect to see in 2019.” Harry How/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers are no longer the favorites to win the National League West with the Arizona Diamondbacks 2.5 games ahead of the reigning National League champions.OddsShark shared updated lines from Bovada which have the Diamondbacks listed at +135 (bet $100 to win $135) compared to the Dodgers at +190. That is a drastic difference from July 24 odds stemming from the same source http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-roy-halladay-jersey , which listed Los Angeles as a heavy favorite even in a tight division battle:OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win the NL West (BovadaOfficial):D-backs (72-58) +135Dodgers (70-61) +190Rockies (71-59) +210Giants (65-67) +8000OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win the NL West (BovadaOfficial):Dodgers -250D-backs +375Giants +900Rockies +1100Padres +90000While Arizona has more favorable odds than the Dodgers to win the National League West, those setting the lines for the World Series are less bullish on the Diamondbacks. As Covers shared, LV SuperBook has the Dodgers listed at 12-1 to capture the championship and the Diamondbacks just behind them at 14-1.Covers CoversUpdated MLB futures odds from LVSuperBook to win the 2018 World Series. em7GN2DbrqArizona and Los Angeles have to worry about more than each other in the race for the division crown and playoff positioning, as the Colorado Rockies are a mere one game behind the Diamondbacks and 1.5 games ahead of the Dodgers.The National League Central is also an issue for those NL West teams looking to make the playoffs, as the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers occupy the two wild-card positions with Milwaukee enjoying a one-game advantage over Colorado for the last postseason spot.It is a testament to Los Angeles' recent track record it still has fairly favorable odds to win the division and World Series as it is in third place in the division and is on the outside looking in at the playoff picture this late in the season. It won the NL West in each of the last five years, dropped last year's World Series in a heartbreaking seven games and features notable players such as Manny Machado Dalton Pompey Jersey , Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner.However, the Diamondbacks are 8-4 against the Dodgers and 7-5 against the Rockies this season and have set the standard in the division to this point. If they continue taking care of business in the seven head-to-head games they have remaining against each division rival, Arizona will be in ideal position to win the NL West and play into October.

DETROIT (AP) —The Minnesota Twins righty only wishes he could have discovered this form in April or May http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-kerry-wood-jersey , not September.In his first start after losing a no-hitter in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees, Odorizzi only allowed a check-swing single in the first six innings of a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.“It is nice to get these good starts, but it isn’t ideal to have them at the end of the season,” he said. “You’d rather do this in midseason, but you also can’t be picky. This is good going into next year.”Odorizzi didn’t get out of the seventh, allowing two runs on three hits, but he’s given up three runs on four hits in 13 2/3 innings in the two strong performances.“I think I had better command tonight than I did the last time,” he said.Chris Gimenez homered and Tyler Austin drove in three runs for the Twins, who have won three straight.“There are always things to play for Kris Bryant Jersey , individually and collectively,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “You want to win as many games as possible as you wind down the last couple weeks.”The Tigers have lost seven of nine, including six straight at home.Mikie Mahtook, who is hitting .288 with six homers and 14 RBIs in his last 20 games, drove in all of Detroit’s runs. He was hitting .185 on Aug. 22.“He made a great adjustment with his hands, and now he’s making much better contact,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said.Daniel Norris (0-5) pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks.“I was really happy with my first five innings,” he said. “I was locating the fastball and spinning the slider http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-addison-russell-jersey , and I had a curveball to change speeds. I even threw a few changeups.“I just started leaving things up in the sixth, which is when I was getting tired.”Norris was making his fourth start after missing four months with a groin injury.“This is basically a kid in his third week out of spring training, so he’s not ready to go deep,” Gardenhire said.The game was scoreless in the sixth when Jorge Polanco led off with a double to left. Logan Forsythe followed with a groundout off Norris’ glove, allowing Polanco to take third. Robbie Grossman walked before Austin’s RBI single to center.“(Norris) mixed his pitches well and was locating everything,” Austin said. “He threw me a couple good changeups, then left one up. With a guy like that, it is good when he misses up and I was able to put a good swing on it.”Jake Cave made it 2-0 with a single off second baseman Dawel Lugo’s glove, ending Norris’ night. Drew VerHagen escaped the inning without further damage.“That’s probably a double-play ball http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-sammy-sosa-jersey , but we’ve got a young second baseman who took a drop step instead of crossing over,” Gardenhire said of Cave’s base hit. “If we turn the double play, the inning is over and Norris comes out smelling like roses.”Gimenez homered off Sandy Baez in the seventh to make it 3-0. Austin added a two-run double later in the inning to chase Baez.Detroit’s offense finally got to Odorizzi in the seventh, with a pair of singles setting up Mahtook’s two-run triple. Reliever Matt Magill struck out next two hitters to end the threat.Magill pitched a scoreless eighth and Trevor Hildenberg got the ninth for his seventh save, allowing Mahtook’s two-out RBI single.Miguel Sano played for the first time since a leg injury on Sept. 5 and struck out in all four at-bats.“He had some big swings and got caught guessing a couple times with two strikes,” Molitor said. “Obviously, there’s some rust.”TRAINER’S ROOMTwins: OF Eddie Rosario missed Tuesday’s game and could be out for the season after aggravating a right quad strain Monday against the Tigers. Rosario will be evaluated on Thursday, but Molitor said he will be very cautious when deciding if he will play again this year.Tigers: 3B Jeimer Candelario left the game with back spasms and will be evaluated on Wednesday. Gardenhire said he expects Candelario to miss at least two games. … RHP Michael Fulmer will meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday to get a second opinion on his knee injury and could have surgery as soon as Thursday. If the examination confirms a torn meniscus, it will be the third time he’s had the same injury repaired since 2013.UP NEXTThe teams finish their three-game series Wednesday afternoon Joe Maddon Jersey , with Detroit’s Spencer Turnbull making his first major league start after making his big league debut in relief on Friday. Gabriel Moya (3-1, 4.73) will serve as the Twins’ opener for the second time in three days. ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled off Blake Parker with one out in the eighth inning, spoiling the Los Angeles Angels‘ bid for an unprecedented no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.Los Angeles was closing in on the record for most pitchers used in a no-hitter. The Houston Astros set the mark with six pitchers while shutting down the Yankees in 2003. Roy Oswalt started that game but was injured in the first inning. The Mariners matched that record in 2012.Jim Johnson opened Tuesday night’s game with 1 1/3 innings, and Noe Ramirez, Hansel Robles, Cam Bedrosian, Justin Anderson and Jose Alvarez followed with no-hit ball. Parker retired Willie Calhoun to start the eighth before Kiner-Falefa lined a clean single into right field.The Angels led 1-0 through seven innings.Unlike the Astros in their no-hit bid, the Angels planned to make this one a bullpen game http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-willson-contreras-jersey , following a trend started by the Tampa Bay Rays this season of using relievers as openers. Los Angeles is using the strategy to cover for an injury-decimated rotation that is without Shohei Ohtani, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and more. Manager Mike Scioscia used four bullpen games in August.

CLEVELAND — they have all but officially won Robert Woods Jersey Elite , the Cleveland Indians will play the finale of a nine-game homestand Wednesday afternoon when they host the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. The two teams have split the first two games of their three-game series.Cleveland’s lead in the Central Division is 14 1/2 games over the Minnesota Twins. The challenge for the Indians is to not lose their edge as they play out the regular season in which not much is on the line.Article continues below ...Manager Terry Francona said he will give selected players some days off. Left fielder Michael Brantley didn’t play Tuesday, and third baseman Jose Ramirez will not play Wednesday.“This doesn’t change how we play the game. We’re still trying to win,” Francona said. “But I’m going to keep an eye on the guys with a lot of at-bats.”Francona admits he’s walking a fine line during the last month of the regular season.“Once the (regular) season is over, you’ve got to re-create your momentum (for the postseason), regardless of how you played (in the last month),” he said. “Momentum can leave you in a hurry, or you can start your own momentum.”The goal for the Indians is to finish strong, and get injured players Trevor Bauer, Andrew Miller and Josh Donaldson off the disabled list.“We want to get everyone healthy,” Francona said. “The hope is in a couple of weeks we’ll have our team together and they’ll be able to play together for some games (before the start of the postseason).”One player who will be a key during the postseason will be pitching for Cleveland on Wednesday when Corey Kluber makes his 29th start.Kluber (17-7, 2.80) is in contention for his third Cy Young Award, and he has pitched well recently http://www.losangelesramsteamonline.com/robert-woods-jersey , going 5-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last seven starts.Kluber leads the league in innings pitched and is tied for the lead in wins and complete games. He is fifth in ERA, and in the top 10 in strikeouts and opponents’ batting average.In his last start, a 3-0 win over Tampa Bay on Aug. 31, Kluber pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits, with eight strikeouts and two walks.In three starts against Kansas City this year, Kluber is 2-1 with a 3.93 ERA. His last start against the Royals was a 7-1 loss on Aug. 25. In that game, he gave up five runs and nine hits, with six strikeouts and two walks. Kluber is 11-7 with a 3.09 ERA in 23 career starts against Kansas City.The Royals on Wednesday will start right-hander Brad Keller (7-5, 3.26), who in three career appearances (one start) against Cleveland is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA.Keller’s last start was a 9-2 win over Baltimore on Aug. 31 in which he pitched eight innings, allowing two runs and five hits Authentic Alex Smith Jersey , with four strikeouts and two walks.In his last start against Cleveland, on Aug. 24, Keller had no decision in a 5-4 Kansas City win. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs and six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.The Royals on Tuesday recalled pitchers Glenn Sparkman and Jerry Vasto from Triple-A Omaha, catcher Meibrys Viloria from Class A Wilmington and reinstated pitcher Eric Skoglund from the disabled list.The Indians selected the contracts of outfielder Brandon Barnes and infielder Adam Rosales from Triple-A Columbus. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig hit three home runs in a road game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, giving him five homers over the past two days.After hitting a pair of home runs in a 3-0 win over the Cards Friday, Puig went yard in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings Saturday.As seen in the following video courtesy of Fox Sports: MLB, Puig's second homer Saturday was a three-run bomb that extended L.A.'s lead to 8-4:FOX Sports: MLB MLBONFOXPUIG IS CATCHING 馃敟馃敟馃敟Two home runs today, and four home runs in his last two games for the Dodgers! pIIRpHK2ZvPuig's third home run of the game was also a three-run tater, which put the contest even further out of reach at 13-4.The 27-year-old never had a three-homer game in his career before Saturday, and he now has 21 home runs on the season.While both ofPuig's home runs Friday were important since it was a 3-0 game Alex Smith Jersey Elite , his most impressive homer of the past two days was arguably his three-run shot in the fifth inning Saturday.PerDodger Insider, that home run had an exit velocity of 114.3 mph, which marks the hardest-hit round-tripper by any Dodgers player this season.WithPuigcrushing everything in sight,Forbes' Howard Cole joked that no ballpark can hold him:Howard Cole Howard_ColeYou want to contain Yasiel Puig, youe gonna have to build higher fences.Despite missing much of July with anoblique strain,Puig's seven RBI against St. Louis Saturday give him 58 on the season.The one-time All-Star is now one of six Dodgers players with at least 20 home runs for the team this season, joiningYasmaniGrandal, CodyBellinger,JocPederson, Enrique Hernandez and MaxMuncy.Puig's 21 home runs are the second-most he has had in a single season behind the 28 he hit in 2017.The Dodgers entered play Saturday just a half-game behind the Colorado Rockies for the NL West lead and in a tie with the Cardinals for the National League's second wild-card spot.