HOUSTON (AP) — After losing 100 games in three straight seasons, the Houston Astros are in position to become the first team to win 100 in four consecutive years.A core of José Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and George Springer has been supplemented with stud starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke, the combination leading the Astros to their second World Series appearance in three seasons."The ability to recognize when you have a chance to win — and realistically when you have a chance to win and not — I think is one of our most important responsibilities," former Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said ahead of Tuesday's Series opener against Washington. "You can fool yourself one way or the other. Making the wise decisions is extremely important for you to try to win a championship."Houston went 56-106 in 2011 after dealing stars Lance Berkman, Michael Bourn, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence. The team was sold from Drayton McLane... [More]

A position-by-position look at the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros going into the World Series, starting Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park:___First Base:Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman. The longtime face of the franchise, Zimmerman was Washington's first draft pick in 2005 after the team moved to the nation's capital from Montreal. The fan favorite has been through all of the Nationals' ups and downs, from a string of painful early playoff exits to the feel-good story of his first trip to the World Series this season. A converted third baseman, he's been hampered by injuries much of the past six years — including shoulder problems that affect his throwing. But at age 35, he's become an everyday player again during a solid postseason.Astros: Yuli Gurriel. From a family of baseball royalty in Cuba, the highly touted Gurriel got a $47.5 million contract and has established himself as a productive RBI man during three full years in the majors. He took off in late June and put together a big... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Howie Kendrick is in the postseason for the eighth time in his 14 major league seasons, having played in October for three different teams. This time, he is finally on a World Series team."This is a dream come true," the 36-year-old utilityman, who has been in 43 playoff games, said Monday before the Washington Nationals worked out in Houston. "Been in the playoffs many times, and this is truly special."Washington's appearance in the World Series also means the first time for Ryan Zimmerman, the first guy ever drafted by the Nationals in 2005 and the only player to wear their uniform in each of their 15 seasons."This has obviously been an unbelievable ride, and I'm just trying to soak it all in," the 35-year-old Zimmerman said.They aren't the only players with more than a decade of big league service time that are World Series first-timers.Astros reliever Joe Smith has made 782 appearances for six teams over the past 13 seasons. Asdrúbal Cabrera, who rejoined the Nationals... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Take out pennant-clinching home run hitter Jose Altuve, and the Houston Astros' bats are really scuffling this postseason.After leading the majors with a .274 team batting average during the regular season, the Astros hit only .208 in their two American League playoffs series while making it to their second World Series in three seasons. That drops nearly 20 points without the AL Championship Series MVP."The playoffs aren't about statistics. It's about moments," George Springer, the 2017 World Series MVP, said Monday. "It takes only at-bat a day to help your team. One at-bat a day can impact a game."Springer hit five home runs in that 2017 World Series after going 3 for 26 (.115) in the seven-game AL Championship Series, when he had three singles and didn't drive in a run.The Astros are hoping for similar performances from several players going into Game 1 against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.First baseman Yuli Gurriel, who hit .289 in 144 regular-season games,... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; Game 4, Saturday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 5, Sunday, Oct. 27, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 6, Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; x-Game 7, Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Houston, 8:08 p.m. (All games on FOX).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Did not play.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 2B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.257, 6, 27 in 52 games), DH Asdrúbal Cabrera (.260, 18, 91 in 131 games with Texas and Washington) or Matt Adams (.226, 20, 56, 115 Ks, 310 ABs in 111 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sounds as though Zack Greinke got an earful at Yankee Stadium while warming up in the bullpen.By the time the ninth inning rolled around, most of those fans were long gone.Awfully satisfying for the Houston Astros."They emptied out pretty quick toward the end. I guess there wasn't that much to say," right fielder Josh Reddick said.Greinke kept his cool after a rocky start Thursday night and the Astros romped to an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series.A report by NJ Advance Media detailed some of the jeering directed at Greinke as he got loose before the game. Fans in the left field bleachers insulted his family and taunted the Astros starting pitcher with chants about his social anxiety disorder. At least one was ejected as police officers kept a watchful eye close by, the outlet noted."I didn't hear anything," Greinke said softly in the Houston clubhouse after allowing one run in 4 1/3 innings.The revved-up Bronx... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sounds as though Zack Greinke got an earful at Yankee Stadium while warming up in the bullpen.By the time the ninth inning rolled around, most of those fans were long gone.Awfully satisfying for the Houston Astros."They emptied out pretty quick toward the end. I guess there wasn't that much to say," right fielder Josh Reddick said.Greinke kept his cool after a rocky start Thursday night and the Astros romped to an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series.A report by NJ Advance Media detailed some of the jeering directed at Greinke as he got loose before the game. Fans in the left field bleachers insulted his family and taunted the Astros starting pitcher with chants about his social anxiety disorder. At least one was ejected as police officers kept a watchful eye close by, the outlet indicated."I didn't hear anything," Greinke said softly in the Houston clubhouse after allowing one run in 4 1/3 innings.The revved-up... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sounds as though Zack Greinke got an earful at Yankee Stadium while warming up in the bullpen.By the time the ninth inning rolled around, most of those fans were long gone.Awfully satisfying for the Houston Astros."They emptied out pretty quick toward the end. I guess there wasn't that much to say," right fielder Josh Reddick said.Greinke kept his cool after a rocky start Thursday night and the Astros romped to an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series.A report by NJ Advance Media detailed some of the jeering directed at Greinke as he got loose before the game. Fans in the left field bleachers insulted his family and taunted the Astros starting pitcher with chants about his social anxiety disorder, the outlet indicated. At least one was ejected as police officers kept a watchful eye close by."I didn't hear anything," Greinke said softly in the Houston clubhouse after allowing one run in 4 1/3 innings.The revved-up... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu walks. Aaron Judge reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. DJ LeMahieu out at second. Aaron Hicks singles to right center field. Aaron Judge to second. Gleyber Torres pops out to shallow right field to Yuli Gurriel. Edwin Encarnacion walks. Brett Gardner walks. Edwin Encarnacion to second. Aaron Hicks to third. Aaron Judge scores. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Yankees 1, Astros 0.Astros third. Robinson Chirinos walks. Josh Reddick singles to right field. Robinson Chirinos to second. George Springer homers to center field. Josh Reddick scores. Robinson Chirinos scores. Jose Altuve singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley singles to right field. Jose Altuve to third. Alex Bregman reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Michael Brantley to third. Jose Altuve out at home. Yuli Gurriel flies out to right field to Aaron Judge. Yordan Alvarez flies out to left field to Brett Gardner.3 runs, 4 hits, 0... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton remained out of the New York Yankees lineup for the third straight game and Aaron Hicks was moved up to third in the batting order for Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Thursday night.Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered in the series opener and missed the next two games because of a strained right quadriceps.Stanton ran on the field before Thursday's game, but Boone already had made up his mind to keep Stanton out of the starting lineup."Probably for the first time saw some improvement today," Boone said. "Whether he's running at 60% or whatever, don't feel like he's ready to be an option in the field for us. I think there's a possibility of that kind of DH role now. So it's a little bit of a decision for me."Boone said Stanton was available to pinch hit and could be New York's designated hitter for Game 5 on Friday night, a move that would cause him to either bench Edwin Encarnación... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to the New York Yankees' starting lineup on Tuesday for the first time since Aug. 3 and Giancarlo Stanton remained out for the second straight game when the AL Championship Series resumed with the Yankees and Astros tied 1-all.Hicks took over in center field and was hitting ninth against Houston's Gerrit Cole in Game 3. After being sidelined by an injured flexor near his right elbow, Hicks pinch hit for starting left fielder Cameron Maybin in Game 2 on Sunday night and grounded out leading off the 10th inning, then moved to center.Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered in the opener and missed Game 2 because of a strained right quadriceps."Outfield is the biggest question," Stanton said during batting practice. "I can hit. I need to move around more and let's see what I got."Manager Aaron Boone said Stanton probably would be on the injured list if this were the regular season."Kind of called G in right when he got... [More]

Astros second. Alex Bregman singles to deep left field. Yordan Alvarez walks. Alex Bregman to second. Yuli Gurriel lines out to right field to Aaron Judge. Alex Bregman to third. Carlos Correa doubles to deep left field. Yordan Alvarez to third. Alex Bregman scores. Robinson Chirinos strikes out on a foul tip. Jake Marisnick strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Yankees 0.Yankees fourth. DJ LeMahieu walks. Aaron Judge homers to center field. DJ LeMahieu scores. Gleyber Torres flies out to right field to George Springer. Edwin Encarnacion strikes out swinging. Brett Gardner strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 2, Astros 1.Astros fifth. Kyle Tucker pinch-hitting for Jake Marisnick. Kyle Tucker strikes out swinging. George Springer homers to center field. Michael Brantley reaches on third strike. Jose Altuve singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley to second. Alex Bregman called out on strikes. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Yankees 2, Astros 2.Astros eleventh. Carlos Correa homers to right field.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 3, Yankees 2.

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

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Zack Greinke got hit hard. So did Justin Verlander. And all of a sudden, the Houston Astros and their heavyweight rotation have only one chance left to knock out the pesky Rays.It's up to Gerrit Cole in Game 5.Verlander gave up three first-inning runs while pitching on short rest and the Astros lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, tying their AL Division Series at two games apiece."Even after going up two games against this ballclub, I don't think we took anything for granted," Verlander said. "At least I know I didn't. We know how talented these guys were and are. We knew it would be a battle."The playoff will be decided Thursday night in Houston, with Tyler Glasnow expected to start for the Rays. The winner advances to face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series, while the loser goes home for the winter."Obviously, I was hoping to win yesterday. I was hoping to win today. But we've had our backs against the wall before and come out victorious,"... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Zack Greinke got hit hard. So did Justin Verlander. And all of a sudden, the Houston Astros and their heavyweight rotation have only one chance left to knock out the pesky Rays.It's up to Gerrit Cole in Game 5.Verlander gave up three first-inning runs while pitching on short rest and the Astros lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, tying their AL Division Series at two games apiece."Even after going up two games against this ballclub, I don't think we took anything for granted," Verlander said. "At least I know I didn't. We know how talented these guys were and are. We knew it would be a battle."The playoff will be decided Thursday night in Houston, with the winner advancing to face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series."Obviously, I was hoping to win yesterday. I was hoping to win today. But we've had our backs against the wall before and come out victorious," Verlander said.It wasn't supposed to be this difficult for the Astros, who led the majors... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Zack Greinke got hit hard. So did Justin Verlander. And all of a sudden, the Houston Astros and their heavyweight rotation have only one chance left to knock out the pesky Rays.It's up to Gerrit Cole in Game 5.Verlander gave up three first-inning runs while pitching on short rest and the Astros lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, tying their AL Division Series at two games apiece.The playoff will be decided Thursday night in Houston, with the winner advancing to face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.It wasn't supposed to be this difficult for the Astros, who led the majors with 107 wins and captured their third consecutive AL West title. Seeking a second World Series championship in three years, they dominated the wild-card Rays behind the brilliant pitching of Verlander and Cole during the first two games at home.But once they arrived at quirky Tropicana Field, they didn't look like themselves.And now, even with all those aces, there's... [More]

Rays first. Austin Meadows strikes out swinging. Tommy Pham homers to center field. Ji-Man Choi walks. Avisail Garcia singles to left field. Ji-Man Choi to second. Brandon Lowe flies out to shallow left field to Michael Brantley. Travis d'Arnaud singles to left field. Avisail Garcia to second. Ji-Man Choi scores. Joey Wendle doubles to deep right field. Travis d'Arnaud to third. Avisail Garcia scores. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 3, Astros 0.Rays fourth. Willy Adames homers to center field. Austin Meadows strikes out swinging. Tommy Pham lines out to left field to Michael Brantley. Ji-Man Choi walks. Avisail Garcia singles to shallow center field. Ji-Man Choi to second. Brandon Lowe strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 4, Astros 0.Astros eighth. Carlos Correa grounds out to second base, Brandon Lowe to Ji-Man Choi. Aledmys Diaz pinch-hitting for Josh Reddick. Aledmys Diaz strikes out on a foul tip. Robinson Chirinos homers to center field. George Springer flies out to deep center field to Kevin Kiermaier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 4, Astros 1.

Astros first. George Springer grounds out to shortstop, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Michael Brantley strikes out swinging. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Alex Bregman to third. Throwing error by Yandy Diaz. Yuli Gurriel pops out to shallow center field to Brandon Lowe.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Astros 1, Rays 0.Rays second. Ji-Man Choi grounds out to shallow right field, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel. Avisail Garcia singles to center field. Brandon Lowe grounds out to second base, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel. Avisail Garcia to second. Travis d'Arnaud hit by pitch. Kevin Kiermaier homers to center field. Travis d'Arnaud scores. Avisail Garcia scores. Willy Adames doubles to deep right center field. Matt Duffy pinch-hitting for Yandy Diaz. Matt Duffy grounds out to shallow infield, Zack Greinke to Yuli Gurriel.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 3, Astros 1.Rays third. Austin Meadows strikes... [More]

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

Angels first. David Fletcher pops out to shallow left field to Alex Bregman. Brian Goodwin homers to center field. Albert Pujols lines out to left field to Josh Reddick. Kole Calhoun singles to center field. Andrelton Simmons pops out to Robinson Chirinos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Astros 0.Angels fourth. Albert Pujols flies out to deep center field to Jake Marisnick. Kole Calhoun reaches on third strike. Andrelton Simmons homers to center field. Kole Calhoun scores. Kevan Smith singles to right field. Jared Walsh strikes out swinging. Taylor Ward strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Astros 0.Astros sixth. George Springer walks. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Kyle Tucker scores. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel grounds out to third base, Kaleb Cowart to Jared Walsh. Alex Bregman to second. Aledmys Diaz hit by pitch. Josh Reddick homers to right field. Aledmys Diaz scores. Alex Bregman scores. Robinson Chirinos strikes out swinging.5 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 5, Angels 3.Astros seventh. Jake Marisnick grounds out to third base, Kaleb Cowart to Jared Walsh. Kyle Tucker walks. Jose Altuve doubles to deep left field. Kyle Tucker scores. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez strikes out on a foul tip. Yuli Gurriel lines out to deep center field to Brian Goodwin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 6, Angels 3.