GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Joc Pederson was back in a familiar clubhouse. He had the same dressing stall and many of the same teammates.Not much had changed, except for him.He felt awkward — and with good reason.Pederson put his Dodgers uniform back on at Camelback Ranch over the weekend for the start of spring training. Just a week earlier, it looked like he would be performing these February rituals across town in Tempe.For five days, Pederson appeared to be headed to the Los Angeles Angels along with pitcher Ross Stripling as part of several multi-player trades surrounding Mookie Betts' move to the Dodgers. The Angels-Dodgers trade was eventually scrapped, but only after an uncomfortable amount of uncertainty for the players involved.“I thought for sure I was going to the Angels,” Pederson said. “It seemed pretty official. I was talking with my wife about what we were going to do living-wise, spring training-wise, talking about changing my cleats, everything.’’Stripling thought the same... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opened spring training Thursday with his confidence boosted by the acquisition of Mookie Betts, who could prove crucial to the franchise’s quest to win its first World Series title since 1988.Betts, acquired from the Boston Red Sox this week in a multi-player deal, gives the Dodgers two recent MVPs in the outfield -- Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, in right and Cody Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, in center.Betts’ potent hitting could provide scoring opportunities that weren’t there during the Dodgers' run to the World Series in 2017 and 2018, Roberts said. Betts played for the Red Sox during Boston’s 2018 Series victory over the Dodgers.“Mostly, we just have to play better,’’ Roberts said. “Looking back, we haven’t played our best baseball in postseason. Betts makes us a lot better.’’The Dodgers also tried to trade Joc Pederson, pitcher Ross Stripling and prospect Andy Pages to the Angels. But the deal fell apart. For now, Roberts expects... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston will pay a Red Sox record $13.4 million luxury tax after failing to make the playoffs and the New York Yankees finished with a $6.7 million bill, likely a fraction of what they will pay next year.Three teams owe tax, according to end-of-year figures sent to clubs Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press. The Chicago Cubs must pay $7.6 million following a season that ended with a September fade and no postseason berth.New York has run up a total of $348 million in tax since the payroll restraint system began in 2003, owing money in each year except 2018. The Los Angeles Dodgers are second at $150 million, followed by the Red Sox at $50 million and the Cubs at $11 million.This year's initial tax threshold was $206 million, counting payrolls by average annual values and including earned bonuses, adjustments for cash transactions, option buyouts and just over $14 million per team in benefits.Among regular payrolls, which include salaries, prorated shares of signing... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston will pay a Red Sox record $13.4 million luxury tax after failing to make the playoffs and the New York Yankees finished with a $6.7 million bill, likely a fraction of what they will pay next year.Three teams owe tax, according to end of year figures sent to clubs on Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press. The Chicago Cubs must pay $7.6 million following a season that ended with September fade and no postseason berth.New York has run up a total of $348 million in tax since the payroll restraint system began in 2003, owing money in each year except 2018. The Los Angeles Dodgers are second at $150 million, followed by the Red Sox at $50 million and the Cubs at $11 million.This year's initial tax threshold was $206 million, counting payrolls by average annual values and including earned bonuses, adjustments for cash transactions, option buyouts and just over $14 million per team in benefits.Among regular payrolls, which include salaries, prorated shares of signing... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rich Hill isn't sure how the course of history could have differed for the Los Angeles Dodgers if he recorded one more out."If I could've finished off that third inning, it might've maybe changed things," Hill said.When manager Dave Roberts took the ball out of Hill's hands, he turned it over to a bullpen full of question marks. After starter Kenta Maeda got through a strong inning-plus, a revolving assortment of relievers allowed five runs in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday that tied the NL Division Series at 2."The result certainly wasn't what we would have hoped for, but as far as kind of the process, I loved it," Roberts said.Pedro Báez gave up a three-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman in the fifth that busted open the game, and his teammates couldn't crack Nationals ace Max Scherzer to close out the series.Instead, the Dodgers will turn to Walker Buehler in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles and hope the young right-hander can... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Dave Roberts took the ball out of Rich Hill's hands, he turned it over to a bullpen full of question marks.The Los Angeles manager turned to starter Kenta Maeda for a successful inning-plus of relief. Then Dodgers came apart.Hill couldn't make it out of the third inning, and a revolving assortment of relievers allowed five runs in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals in Game 4 Monday that tied the NL Division Series at 2.Pedro Báez gave up a three-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman in the fifth that busted open the game, and his teammates couldn't crack Nationals ace Max Scherzer to close out the series.Instead, the Dodgers will turn to Walker Buehler in a winner-take-all Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles and hope the young right-hander can continue his yearlong success in the biggest of pressure situations thus far. Buehler tossed six scoreless innings to beat the Nationals in Game 1.With Los Angeles up 2-1 in the series, all options potentially were available... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Max Muncy. Adam Eaton walks. Anthony Rendon flies out to center field to Cody Bellinger. Juan Soto homers to center field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shortstop, Corey Seager to Max Muncy.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Dodgers 0.Dodgers fifth. Hyun-Jin Ryu called out on strikes. Joc Pederson pops out to third base to Anthony Rendon. Max Muncy homers to center field. Justin Turner grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Dodgers 1.Dodgers sixth. Cody Bellinger singles to right field. Corey Seager called out on strikes. A.J. Pollock strikes out swinging. David Freese pinch-hitting for Gavin Lux. David Freese singles to right field. Cody Bellinger to third. Russell Martin doubles to deep left center field. David Freese scores. Cody Bellinger scores. Chris Taylor pinch-hitting for Hyun-Jin Ryu. Chris Taylor walks.... [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]

Dodgers first. A.J. Pollock walks. David Freese strikes out swinging. Justin Turner strikes out swinging. Cody Bellinger walks. A.J. Pollock to second. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy walks. Chris Taylor to second. Cody Bellinger to third. A.J. Pollock scores. Corey Seager grounds out to first base to Howie Kendrick.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Dodgers 1, Nationals 0.Dodgers fifth. David Freese called out on strikes. Justin Turner strikes out swinging. Cody Bellinger walks. Chris Taylor singles to third base. Cody Bellinger to third. Max Muncy reaches on error. Chris Taylor out at home. Cody Bellinger scores. Fielding error by Howie Kendrick.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Nationals 0.Dodgers seventh. A.J. Pollock strikes out swinging. Joc Pederson pinch-hitting for David Freese. Joc Pederson walks. Justin Turner singles to shallow right field. Joc Pederson to third. Cody Bellinger called out on strikes. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy singles to right field. Chris Taylor... [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 are starting just one of their four rookies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.Will Smith is catching right-handed starter Walker Buehler on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals.Their other rookies _ first baseman Matt Beaty and second baseman Gavin Lux _ weren’t in the lineup, while reliever Dustin May could be used out of the bullpen.The Dodgers batting order is: Left fielder A.J. Pollock leading off, first baseman David Freese, third baseman Justin Turner, center fielder Cody Bellinger, right fielder Chris Taylor, second baseman Max Muncy, shortstop Corey Seager, Smith and Buehler.The Nationals lineup is: Shortstop Trea Turner leading off, right fielder Adam Eaton, third baseman Anthony Rendon, left fielder Juan Soto, second baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera, first baseman Matt Adams, center fielder Victor Robles, catcher Yan Gomes and left-handed starter Patrick Corbin.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have included three rookies on their NL Division Series roster.First baseman Matt Beaty, second baseman Gavin Lux and catcher Will Smith each made impacts during the regular season when the Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 games.The Dodgers announced their roster Thursday, hours before the start of Game 1 against Washington.Beaty and Lux are among six left-handed hitters on the roster.Los Angele is carrying 12 pitchers and 13 position players.The rotation consists of right-hander Walker Buehler, who starts Game 1, left-hander Clayton Kershaw, left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and left-hander Rich Hill.The eight relievers are: right-handers Kenley Jansen, Pedro Baéz, Joe Kelly, Kenta Maeda, Dustin May and Ross Stripling, and lefties Adam Kolarek and Julio Urías. Maeda and Stripling are former starters.The other position players are: outfielder Cody Bellinger, infielder David Freese, utilityman Kiké Hernández, catcher Russell Martin, infielder Max Muncy, outfielder Joc Pederson, outfielder A.J. Pollock, infielder Corey Seager, utilityman Chris Taylor and third baseman Justin Turner.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

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]

Dodgers first. Chris Taylor flies out to right field to Jaylin Davis. Max Muncy walks. A.J. Pollock singles to right center field. Max Muncy to second. Cody Bellinger singles to shortstop. A.J. Pollock to second. Max Muncy to third. Corey Seager doubles to right field. Cody Bellinger scores. A.J. Pollock scores. Max Muncy scores. Will Smith homers to center field. Corey Seager scores. Gavin Lux grounds out to second base, Mauricio Dubon to Brandon Belt. Kike Hernandez grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 5, Giants 0.Dodgers seventh. Jedd Gyorko flies out to center field to Mike Yastrzemski. Matt Beaty walks. Kristopher Negron singles to shortstop. Matt Beaty to second. Will Smith hit by pitch. Kristopher Negron to second. Matt Beaty to third. Gavin Lux walks. Will Smith to second. Kristopher Negron to third. Matt Beaty scores. Kike Hernandez grounds out to second base. Gavin Lux out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left... [More]

Dodgers second. Cody Bellinger homers to center field. Corey Seager homers to right field. Will Smith walks. Gavin Lux triples to deep right field. Will Smith scores. Kike Hernandez strikes out swinging. Walker Buehler strikes out swinging. Joc Pederson homers to center field. Gavin Lux scores. Max Muncy doubles to center field. A.J. Pollock grounds out to shallow infield, Johnny Cueto to Brandon Belt.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 5, Giants 0.Giants second. Kevin Pillar walks. Alex Dickerson singles to center field. Kevin Pillar to third. Brandon Crawford out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to A.J. Pollock. Kevin Pillar scores. Mauricio Dubon singles to center field. Alex Dickerson to second. Chris Shaw pinch-hitting for Johnny Cueto. Chris Shaw strikes out swinging. Mike Yastrzemski strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Dodgers 5, Giants 1.Giants third. Brandon Belt walks. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging. Stephen Vogt doubles to right field. Brandon... [More]

Dodgers sixth. David Freese singles to center field. A.J. Pollock grounds out to third base. David Freese out at second. Chris Taylor walks. Max Muncy singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Chris Taylor scores. Kike Hernandez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 1, Padres 0.

Dodgers first. Joc Pederson strikes out swinging. Max Muncy walks. Justin Turner hit by pitch. Max Muncy to second. Cody Bellinger strikes out swinging. Corey Seager walks. Justin Turner to second. Max Muncy to third. A.J. Pollock singles to shallow infield. Corey Seager to second. Justin Turner to third. Max Muncy scores. Gavin Lux strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Dodgers 1, Padres 0.Dodgers fourth. A.J. Pollock grounds out to shortstop, Luis Urias to Eric Hosmer. Gavin Lux grounds out to second base, Luis Urias to Eric Hosmer. Will Smith walks. Tony Gonsolin singles to right center field. Will Smith to second. Joc Pederson walks. Tony Gonsolin to second. Will Smith to third. Max Muncy homers to right field. Joc Pederson scores. Tony Gonsolin scores. Will Smith scores. Justin Turner flies out to deep left field to Nick Martini.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 5, Padres 0.Padres fifth. Seth Mejias-Brean grounds out to second base, Gavin Lux to Max Muncy.... [More]