INSIDER
VIDEO: White Sox fan punched by Astros fans during ALDS Game 1 at Minute Maid Park
Read full article: VIDEO: White Sox fan punched by Astros fans during ALDS Game 1 at Minute Maid ParkA video from Game 1 of the Astros ALDS run is now going viral. The video shows a back-and-forth fight between fans at Minute Maid Park on Thursday.
LEADING OFF: Wild, 8-game day opens with Bauer vs Fried
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Wild, 8-game day opens with Bauer vs Fried(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___CRAZY EIGHTHow’s this for wild: MLB is set to stage eight postseason games on the same day for the first time. National League clubs will open their best-of-three wild-card series, while four American League teams are already facing elimination after starting Tuesday. With the expansion of the first round from a pair of wild-card games to eight best-of-three series, there are a maximum 65 possible postseason games this year. In the 1960s, there were 66 postseason games in the entire decade, with league championship series starting in 1969. Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 1.99 ERA) starts Game 2 following a successful first season with Chicago.
LEADING OFF: Playoffs begin, Bieber vs Cole in prime matchup
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Playoffs begin, Bieber vs Cole in prime matchupGerrit Cole delivered for the Yankees in his first season since signing a $324 million, nine-year contract, going 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA. “We think this is a good matchup.”For all Bieber and Cole have accomplished in the shortened regular season, it will mean little if they don’t perform well to start the best-of-three series. For instance, Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka has only played 72 regular season games, including just two against wild-card foe Cleveland. Both were injured Friday, sat out the final two regular season games as a precaution, then participated in a workout at Target Field on Monday. They open a wild-card series in Oakland hoping ace Lucas Giolito can play stopper.
LEADING OFF: 2 NL playoff spots still open with 2 days left
Read full article: LEADING OFF: 2 NL playoff spots still open with 2 days left(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday:PLAYOFF CHASEAfter manager Don Mattingly’s Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds clinched postseason spots, two NL playoff slots are still open with two days left in the regular season. They are hoping to get back on track heading into their playoff appearance since 2008, but the health of Jiménez is a concern. Acquired last month in a big trade with Cleveland, Clevinger left his start against the Angels on Wednesday after just one inning. “We have not ruled out anything for next week and the first round of the playoffs,” Padres general manager A.J. If Clevinger can’t pitch the playoff opener, Dinelson Lamet could start.
LEADING OFF: NL playoff race wide open, AL nearly locked in
Read full article: LEADING OFF: NL playoff race wide open, AL nearly locked inThe Marlins, Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, Brewers and Giants are the top teams still in contention -- and they’re packed tightly with slots available for one team from the NL East, another from the NL Central and then two wild cards. The Mets (26-31) and Rockies (25-31) are mathematically eligible but need to win out just to have a shot. AL-MOST OVEROnly one playoff spot remains open in the AL, and Michael Brantley and the Astros are on the verge of clinching it. The Twins are trying to seal the AL Central. The Chisox have lost five in a row, dropping them out of the AL Central lead and one game behind Minnesota.
MLB players begin reporting for tests as first workouts near
Read full article: MLB players begin reporting for tests as first workouts nearMost players underwent a battery of health checks, not only for COVID-19 but also for any other lingering ailments from spring training, ahead of planned workouts beginning Friday and Saturday. That's going to be different to see and feel as a team, Moncada said. Well have to get creative with how we communicate, said Boone, who plans to make the same speech three or four times. And despite rising numbers of COVID-19 across the country, and a few players opting out, most players and executives have been bullish on the season taking place. They believe in protocols hammered out during lengthy negotiations between MLB and its players' association and are eager to provide fans with some much-needed diversion.
Former Astros player apologizes for stealing signs
Read full article: Former Astros player apologizes for stealing signs“That’s a tough subject because it’s such a tight-knit community in the clubhouse,”said Keuchel on Mike Fiers coming clean and exposing the Astros. “I don’t really have much else to say about Mike.”Keuchel apologized, but also insisted the Astros were not the only team to steal signs. Yes it was, and I personally am sorry for what has come about the whole situation.”And when asked if the Astros cheated every game? Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve dodged questions about the scandal at Astros FanFest. “I don’t think anyone else from the other teams will come out and say something.. they’ve seen what happens now," said Keuchel.