HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:54 p.m.Juan Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Washington Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros 5-4 Tuesday night in the World Series opener.Not even a history-making home run by postseason star George Springer and another drive that nearly tied it in the eighth inning could deter Washington.Ryan Zimmerman, still full of sock at 35, also homered to back a resourceful Max Scherzer and boost the wild-card Nationals in their first World Series game.Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for the save, only the second 1-2-3 inning on a night that Washington relievers were given a three-run lead and just held on.___10:40 p.m.The Houston Astros are closer, but still have some work to do in the ninth inning to avoid losing Game 1 of the World Series at home.Washington held on to a 5-4 lead after eight innings in its first-ever World Series game, after getting... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Sean Doolittle and the rest of the Nationals geared up for Washington's first World Series appearance in 86 years, the lefty reliever thought back to when he first joined the team in a 2017 trade.The attitude, he found, was not exactly reflective of a win-big mindset, much like the malaise that hung over the rest of the major professional sports scene in the nation's capital at the time."There were a lot of people close to the team, around the city, that were like: 'This is the year we're going to do it! We're going to get past the first round of the playoffs!'" Doolittle recalled. "And the new guys that got traded over were like: 'What are you guys talking about?! We have a team that can win the World Series. What are we talking about?' So I know people, D.C. fans, they had to wait a while."So bad for so long, D.C. is suddenly turning into the District of Champions. It's no Boston, where there have been 11 titles in the past two decades, but things in Washington suddenly... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Sean Doolittle and the rest of the Nationals geared up for Washington's first World Series appearance in 86 years, the lefty reliever thought back to when he first joined the team in a 2017 trade.The attitude, he found, was not exactly reflective of a win-big mindset, much like the malaise that hung over the rest of the major professional sports scene in the nation's capital at the time."There were a lot of people close to the team, around the city, that were like: 'This is the year we're going to do it! We're going to get past the first round of the playoffs!'" Doolittle recalled. "And the new guys that got traded over were like: 'What are you guys talking about?! We have a team that can win the World Series. What are we talking about?' So I know people, D.C. fans, they had to wait a while."So bad for so long, D.C. is suddenly turning into the District of Champions. It's no Boston, where there have been 11 titles in the past two decades, but things in Washington suddenly... [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]

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 Asdr�bal 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]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Doing a little research ahead of the World Series, Washington Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier came across some numbers that made him feel OK about his team's long layoff."I saw a stat today where there's been 12 times where teams have had five or more days off going into the World Series. And you know what the record was? 6-6," Dozier said. "So it's not that big a deal."Baseball is a sport that is more of a daily grind than any other, with game followed by game followed by game for six months, so this stretch is rather unusual for the Nationals: They haven't played since finishing off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series at home last Tuesday — and they won't play until Game 1 of the Fall Classic in Houston next Tuesday.Washington's next opponent gets much less of a respite: The Astros finished off the New York Yankees in Game 6 of their AL Championship Series on Saturday night.The good news for the Nationals is their pitchers get to recharge... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Doing a little research ahead of the World Series, Washington Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier came across some numbers that made him feel OK about his team's long layoff."I saw a stat today where there's been 12 times where teams have had five or more days off going into the World Series. And you know what the record was? 6-6," Dozier said. "So it's not that big a deal."Baseball is a sport that is more of a daily grind than any other, with game followed by game followed by game for six months, so this stretch is rather unusual for the Nationals: They haven't played since finishing off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series at home last Tuesday — and they won't play until Game 1 of the Fall Classic in Houston next Tuesday.Washington's next opponent gets much less of a respite: The Astros finished off and the New York Yankees in Game 6 of their AL Championship Series on Saturday night.The good news for the Nationals is their pitchers get to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Doing a little research ahead of the World Series, Washington Nationals second baseman Brian Dozier came across some numbers that made him feel OK about his team's long layoff."I saw a stat today where there's been 12 times where teams have had five or more days off going into the World Series. And you know what the record was? 6-6," Dozier said. "So it's not that big a deal."Baseball is a sport that is more of a daily grind than any other, with game followed by game followed by game for six months, so this stretch is rather unusual for the Nationals: They haven't played since finishing off a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series at home last Tuesday — and they won't play until Game 1 of the Fall Classic on the road next Tuesday.Washington's next opponent gets much less of a respite: The Houston Astros and New York Yankees were getting set to play Game 6 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.The good news for the Nationals is that their... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Daniel Hudson and his wife, Sara, tried to plan the birth of their third child around Washington's postseason schedule.When it didn't work out, he knew exactly what he needed to do.Hudson stayed with his wife for Millie's arrival Friday, and then rejoined the Nationals in time to close out their 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series on Saturday.The 32-year-old right-hander, a key member of Washington's bullpen, said he knew all along he had to be there — a decision the organization supported."To be able to have that experience with my family and be there for the whole thing was everything I could have imagined," he said. "Obviously, it is my third kid. And top three things in my life, 1A, 1B and 1C, are, was being there for the birth of all three of my daughters."Hudson was reinstated from the postseason paternity list Saturday, and Wander Suero was removed from the Nationals' NLCS roster.While Hudson was away, Aníbal Sánchez and... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Daniel Hudson and his wife, Sara, tried to plan the birth of their third child around Washington's postseason schedule.When it didn't work out, he knew exactly what he needed to do.Hudson stayed with his wife for Millie's arrival, and then rejoined the Nationals before Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.The 32-year-old right-hander, a key member of Washington's bullpen, said he knew all along he had to be there — a decision the organization supported."To be able to have that experience with my family and be there for the whole thing was everything I could have imagined," he said. "Obviously, it is my third kid. And top three things in my life, 1A, 1B and 1C, are, was being there for the birth of all three of my daughters."Hudson was reinstated from the postseason paternity list, and Wander Suero was removed from the Nationals' NLCS roster.While Hudson was away, Aníbal Sánchez and Sean Doolittle combined for a one-hitter in Washington's... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington reliever Daniel Hudson has been reinstated from the postseason paternity list, rejoining the Nationals before Game 2 of the NL Championship Series.Hudson and his wife welcomed a baby girl Friday. Sean Doolittle then closed out Washington's 2-0 victory over St. Louis in the NLCS opener, retiring his only four batters.Hudson's return means Wander Suero has been removed from the Nationals' active roster against the Cardinals. Game 2 is Saturday in St. Louis.Hudson is 1-0 with two saves in the playoffs, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts.Washington's bullpen had the worst ERA in the National League this year at 5.66, but Hudson provided a boost after he was acquired from Toronto at the July 31 trade deadline. The right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA and six saves in 24 regular-season appearances with the Nationals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SHOWTIMEZack Greinke is set to throw the first pitch in the hugely hyped AL Championship Series — Yankees-Astros, starting at Minute Maid Park."It's the matchup that everybody wants to watch. It's must-see TV right there," Houston shortstop Carlos Correa said.Jose Altuve, George Springer and a dominant rotation helped Houston lead the majors with a franchise-record 107 wins. Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge and a strong bullpen sent New York toward 103 victories.Greinke pitches the opener, to be followed by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole as the Astros lined up their aces on regular rest. Masahiro Tanaka starts Game 1 for the Yankees, with James Paxton and Luis Severino up next.HOMETOWN KIDWashington ace Max Scherzer starts Game 2 of the NL Championship Series in his hometown of St. Louis. Scherzer also played college ball at the University of Missouri, but he had no interest in reliving old times."Yeah, grew up here, but at this point in time... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington Nationals right-hander Aníbal Sánchez lost his no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth inning on a clean single by St. Louis Cardinals pinch-hitter José Martínez in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.Martínez lined an 82 mph split-finger fastball into center field, spoiling Sánchez's shot at the third no-hitter in postseason history. Two batters earlier, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman preserved the bid by diving to catch a line drive by Tommy Edman.Nationals manager Dave Martínez pulled Sánchez after the hit and brought in left-hander Sean Doolittle. Sánchez struck out five, hit two batters and walked one on 103 pitches. The right-handed Sánchez waved to standing fans in St. Louis as he left the field.Doolittle pitched cleanly out of the eighth to preserve a 2-0 lead. The Nationals are without closer Daniel Hudson, who was placed on paternity leave earlier Friday.Sánchez retired his first 10 batters before Kolten Wong walked in the fourth for St. Louis' first... [More]

A look at the best-of-seven National League Championship Series between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at St. Louis, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at St. Louis, 4:08 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, at Washington, TBA; Game 4, Tuesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 6, Friday, Oct. 18, at St. Louis, TBA; x-Game 7, Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Louis, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Cardinals won 5-2.___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), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63) or Yan Gomes (.223, 12, 43 in 97 games), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs) or Michael A. Taylor (.250, 1, 3 in 53 games).Cardinals:... [More]

Kyle Gibson kept hoping he'd someday pitch in October, take the mound in a big game when the whole sport was watching. Last week, he got that chance.Summoned late at Yankee Stadium, the 31-year-old Minnesota right-hander entered the AL Division Series opener. The result — one inning, three runs on three walks, a hit and three stolen bases."First postseason opportunity, didn't go how I thought it was going to go," he said.He's not alone.National League closers Carlos Martinez, Mark Melancon and Sean Doolittle were tagged. All-Star setup man Ryan Pressly struggled, $140 million starter Patrick Corbin was shelled in a different role.Bullpens? More like blowpens as playoff relievers across the majors got rocked.Their totals so far in the ALDS and NLDS: 100 innings, 65 earned runs and a 5.85 ERA.The most effective reliever this month? Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who struck out all three batters he faced at Dodger Stadium.And remember, Scherzer and the Washington Nationals... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner doubles to left field. Adam Eaton pops out to third base to Justin Turner. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto hit by pitch. Anthony Rendon to second. Trea Turner to third. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Juan Soto to second. Anthony Rendon to third. Trea Turner scores. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to Max Muncy. Kurt Suzuki strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Nationals 1, Dodgers 0.Nationals second. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Stephen Strasburg out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Max Muncy to Gavin Lux. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Victor Robles scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep center field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Dodgers 0.Dodgers sixth. Gavin Lux strikes out on a foul tip. Matt Beaty pinch-hitting for Clayton Kershaw. Matt Beaty singles to right field.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers included four rookies on their NL Division Series roster.First baseman Matt Beaty, second baseman Gavin Lux, catcher Will Smith and reliever Dustin May each made impacts during the regular season when the Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games.“They don’t act like rookies, they don’t play the game like rookies, and we’re going to need them in the postseason,” Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw said Thursday. “We don’t expect their performance to be any different.”Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts added, “We just believe in those guys.”The Dodgers and Washington Nationals announced their rosters for the best-of-five series hours before the start of Game 1.Smith was tabbed to catch starter Walker Buehler on Thursday in a Kentucky-bred battery. Smith is from Louisville and Buehler is from Lexington.Roberts often jokes about Smith’s youthful looks.“Don’t let that fool you because this guy is as tough as they come,” he said.Beaty is the oldest of the quartet... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have included four rookies on their NL Division Series roster.First baseman Matt Beaty, second baseman Gavin Lux, catcher Will Smith and reliever Dustin May each made impacts during the regular season when the Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games.The Dodgers announced their roster for the best-of-five series Thursday, hours before the start of Game 1 against Washington.The Nationals tweaked their roster after their NL wild-card victory over Milwaukee. Catcher Raudy Read and outfielder Andrew Stevenson were dropped in favor of added pitching depth with right-handers Wander Suero and Austin Voth.Washington is going with 11 pitchers and 14 position players.Beaty and Lux are among six left-handed hitters on the Dodgers’ roster. Lux was called up in September after starting the season at Double-A.Another rookie, outfielder Alex Verdugo, was ruled out of the NLDS because of a back injury.Los Angeles is carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players.The... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, 7:45 p.m. (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.___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), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy (.251, 35, 98, 90 walks, .374 OBP) or David Freese (.315, 11, 29) or Matt Beaty... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at Washington, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Los Angeles, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Dodgers won 4-3.___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), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs).Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy (.251, 35, 98, 90 walks, .374 OBP) or David Freese (.315, 11, 29) or Matt Beaty (.265,... [More]