BOSTON — Brian Flynn Jersey , Justin Verlander won two games for the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, one as a starter and one in relief.Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale was the loser in both of those games — also one as a starter and the other in relief.The two aces, former foes in the American League Central, match up again when their teams square off in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night at Fenway Park.Article continues below ...“This is a rematch of last year,” Sale said Friday. “Obviously, the winner of this one goes to the World Series. So like I’ve been saying the whole time, just keep playing the same game, not trying to reach for more, not trying to be better than I am. We shouldn’t play as a team like that, either.”As far as making up for last year, Sale said, “It’s one of those things that you learn more from your mistakes than you do sometimes your successes. You try to flip the script and be better from it, and try to keep the momentum rolling forward.”Sale went 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA during the 2018 regular season, and he is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA in the postseason in his career.Verlander, who was 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA in the regular season, is 12-6 with a 3.08 ERA lifetime in the postseason, including 12-2 in the LDS and LCS.The Astros, who swept the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, are seeking to become the first repeat World Series champions since the 2000 New York Yankees.“The fun part about this team is that the bar is so high for these guys,” said Astros manager A.J. Hinch, “and they continue to try to work toward exceeding expectations Abraham Almonte Jersey , either personally or as a team. It’s a great attribute for these guys to continue to reach for it.”The Red Sox have home field advantage for this best-of-seven series but the Astros had a major league-best 57-24 road record this season. They had the lowest ERA in baseball for both their starters (3.16) and relievers (3.03).This will be the eighth time Sale and Verlander will faces each other as starters — and Verlander has the clear advantage over the first seven.In this postseason, both won Game 1 of his respective series.Sale, who had pitched only 17 innings since July 27 thanks to shoulder trouble, went 5 1/3 innings, yielding two runs on five hits and striking out eight to beat the Yankees. He also pitched a perfect eighth inning in the Game 4 finale.Verlander beat the Indians in his team’s Game 1, going 5 1/3 inning and allowing two runs on two hits, striking out seven and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning.According to STATS, in those seven previous games, Verlander is 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA, an 0.98 WHIP and .207 opponents’ batting average against Sale’s teams. Sale is 1-3 with a 3.97 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and .261 batting average against when pitching against Verlander’s teams.Sale is 5-2 with a 1.83 ERA in seven career regular season starts against the Astros. Verlander is 5-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 18 career regular season starts against the Red Sox – including 3-3 with a 3.51 ERA in 10 starts at Fenway. Both have pitched once against the Saturday night opponent this season.June 1 at Houston, Sale was the loser, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings. The next night, Verlander didn’t get a decision against Boston, going six innings and yielding two runs on three hits in a solid start. The Astros won the game, part of their 4-3 season series win over the Red Sox.Boston’s J.D. Martinez, happy to no longer have to face Sale, squares off against his former team in this series. Martinez, like David Ortiz a decade before, was released, only to wind up a hero in Boston.“My failures in Houston made me who I am http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-grimm-jersey ,” Martinez said Friday, adding he has “no animosity” towards the Astros.For the record, Martinez is 9-for-38 (.237) with 16 strikeouts, three homers and six RBIs lifetime against Sale.George Springer, who is fast turning into the new Mr. October, is 5-for-14 (.357) with a homer and Jose Altuve 8-for-24 (.333) lifetime against Sale. But Jake Marisnick is 1-for-11 (.091), Marwin Gonzalez 1-for-9 (.111), Evan Gattis 2-for-12 (.167), Josh Reddick 3-for-14 (.214) and Carlos Correa 3-for-13 (.231).Eduardo Nunez leads the Red Sox against Verlander, going 6-for-18 (.333), while Mitch Moreland is 10-for-32 (.313) and Brock Holt 3-for-10 (.300). But Mookie Betts is 0-for-13 (.000), Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. are both 1-for-9 (.111), Ian Kinsler 6-for-38 (.158), Sandy Leon 2-for-9 (.222) and Xander Bogaerts 4-for-17 (.235).Moreland, who sustained a hamstring injury in the ALDS, went through a full workout Friday and his spot on the LCS roster will be determined Saturday.For the Astros, Hector Rondon and Joe Smith have replaced Will Harris and Myles Straw on the roster.Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright, out with a knee injury, will undergo the same arthroscopic procedure that Dustin Pedroia had in July (from the same doctor) and still hopes to be available for a potential World Series. Pedroia was not able to make it back. Michael Kopech might be nervous to check the weather forecast Wednesday night.The 22-year-old’s reluctance would be understandable. His first two starts on Chicago’s South Side have been interrupted because of rain — after two innings against the Minnesota Twins and after three against the Boston Red Sox.“I’m going to say a little prayer to Mother Nature and see if we can figure things out,” Kopech joked after his last start.Article continues below ...Chicago (56-83) will hope for dry skies in the rubber match of a three-game series against Detroit (56-83). The finale’s winner will move into sole possession of third place in the American League Central.Kopech (1-0, 0.82 ERA) is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season for the White Sox. He has allowed one run in his first 11 innings while walking one and striking out nine.This marks Kopech’s second career start against Detroit. He limited the Tigers to one run on seven hits in six innings when he faced them Aug. 26 in Detroit. The performance yielded his first big-league victory.The Tigers will counter with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (6-6 Burch Smith Jersey , 4.22 ERA), who is slated to make his 21st start of the year. The 32-year-old has thrown four quality starts in his last six outings, going 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA during that time.In 12 career starts against the White Sox, Zimmermann is 5-4 with a 6.26 ERA. He has given up 45 earned runs in 64 2/3 innings, allowing 12 walks and striking out 43. That includes 20 earned runs allowed in 20 1/3 innings this year.Zimmermann took a no-hitter through five innings against the New York Yankees in his most recent performance, but he surrendered three home runs in the sixth.“It’s a tough situation to be in,” Zimmermann said to the Detroit News after a recent start. “My mentality my whole career has been to fill up the zone and get guys out in three pitches or less.“But it seems like on a lot of guys, I get 0-2 and 1-2, and I tell myself, ‘All right, let’s get this over with and make a quality pitch here.’ But there will be a broken bat and or a jam shot and, boom — two bloops and a blast.”The White Sox have tagged Zimmermann for 30 hits in his 20 1/3 innings.“It’s not like I’ve pitched horribly,” Zimmermann said to the Detroit News. “I am just around the zone too much and they swing at everything.”Outfielder Daniel Palka, who has homered in each of his past two contests, is one of the White Sox’ most confident hitters. The slugger has 21 home runs in his rookie campaign.Chicago has won eight of 12 and 14 of 21.“I think we’re all pulling in the same direction, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of right now,” Kopech said. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve been a winning team, and hopefully it stays that way for a long time.”

for BryantandGuerrero. Jimenez's representatives are speaking out on his behalf Devin Mesoraco Jersey , just as agent Scott Boras once did for Bryant. And this is only the latest in a line of articles (see also: Baseball America, The Athletic and CBSSports.com)decrying service-time manipulation.Momentum for changeis building at an opportune time. With baseball's collective bargaining agreement due to expire in 2021, it won't be long before negotiations over a new CBA get serious.The union is certain to pursue an overhaul of MLB's free-agency ruleshich could involve simply redefining a season or a more drastic measure to base free agency on agehat would allow for players to reach the majors and hit the open market sooner. The goal will be to funnel more money to players, who have been getting a smaller slice of the pie lately.With stakes this big, the conflict between the MLBPA and MLB could get ugly. The possibility of a work stoppage is real.Yet the league knows it has to make every effort to appeal to younger fans, so that's one reason to bend the rules in favor of young players. Doing so could also lead to the death of MLB's sudden tanking epidemic. If clubs call on their young players sooner and become more willing to invest in free agency, the number of competitive teams could increase. That's good for business.For now, there's only outrage. But out of outrage must come hope for positive change. Maybe, justmaybe http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-jason-vargas-jersey , that's what will happen. CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs are closing in on the NL Central championship and have their sights set on another deep playoff run.It sure would help if Kyle Hendricks keeps pitching like this. They’ll take a few more big home runs from Kris Bryant, too.Hendricks went eight innings in another strong start, Bryant connected and the Cubs moved closer to the division title while dealing another hit to St. Louis’ playoff hopes, beating the Cardinals 8-4 on Friday.“This is what you look for,” Hendricks said. “These are the games you want to play in, games that have meaning like this. That’s why we play the game. Hopefully, we’ve got a lot of these left.”The Cubs came into the final weekend of the regular season with a franchise-record fourth straight trip to the postseason assured and their third division title in a row in sight. They remained one game ahead of Milwaukee, which beat Detroit 6-5 on Friday night.The Cubs can clinch the NL Central on Saturday — and home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs — with a win and a Brewers loss.St. Louis matched a season high with its fourth straight loss, after being swept by Milwaukee this week. The Cardinals trail Los Angeles by two games for the second NL wild card after the Dodgers won 3-1 in San Francisco late Friday night.With two games remaining http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-pedro-martinez-jersey , one more St. Louis loss or Los Angeles win would eliminate the Cardinals from postseason contention.“Clearly the back is completely against the wall,” manager Mike Shildt said.Hendricks (14-11) gave up two runs and seven hits . The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.52 ERA in his past seven outings and has thrown a career-high 199 innings.“He’s pitched with his best stuff since I’ve known him,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s not many strikeouts, not a lot of swing-and-misses. But the velocity on the fastball, he’s back to the weaker contact in general. He looks strong. … I just see a stronger version of Kyle.”Bryant made it 3-0 with a long solo drive to center against Adam Wainwright in the fourth.That gave the 2016 NL MVP just two homers in 27 games and 13 total in a season marked by injuries. Bryant missed the previous two games because of a bruised left wrist after getting hit by a pitch and was on the disabled list two times this year because of left shoulder inflammation.Daniel Murphy had two hits, two runs and an RBI. He singled and scored in a two-run first, doubled and came around in the fifth, and added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.Anthony Rizzo had an RBI single and sacrifice fly.Albert Almora drove in two with a single against Dominic Leone to cap a three-run eighth, making it 8-2 Giancarlo Stanton Jersey , and the Cubs won their third in a row after losing four of six.“We’ve been here before,” Bryant said, referring to three straight appearances in the NLCS and a World Series championship in 2016 that ended a drought dating to 1908. “We’ve been under pressure situations. I think we know how to handle it.”Wainwright (2-4) is now 11-3 lifetime at Wrigley Field. He lasted five innings, allowing four runs and five hits, in what could be his final start for the Cardinals. Though he didn’t sound like a player ready to walk away, the three-time All-Star has an expiring contract and was on the disabled list three times this season because of hamstring and elbow injuries.“If you had asked me that question about two months ago, I would have already checked out on you,” Wainwright said. “But the way I’m feeling right now, if that is my last start http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-derek-jeter-jersey , it would be kind of hard to walk away knowing the way I’m feeling right now.”TRAINER’S ROOMCubs: Manager Joe Maddon said he wasn’t sure if reliever Pedro Strop (strained left hamstring) will pitch this weekend. The right-hander still feels some discomfort on the landing throwing off the mound. Strop has been sidelined since Sept. 13, when he was hurt running to first on a double-play grounder at Washington. … The Cubs activated C Bobby Wilson, who was acquired Aug. 30 from Minnesota on Friday. The Twins placed him on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 24 because of a sprained right ankle.UP NEXTCardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (17-4, 2.94 ERA) looks to win his fifth straight start, after holding San Francisco to two runs and two hits in seven innings on Sunday.Cubs: LHP Cole Hamels (4-2, 2.47) tries to shake off back-to-back losses after going 4-0 in his first nine starts for Chicago following a trade from Texas. He homered against Pittsburgh on Monday but got outpitched by Jameson Taillon.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kennys Vargas Jersey , the New York Mets were getting closer to completing a deal with high-profile agent Brodie Van Wagenen, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and emerged as the team’s top choice for GM from a list of 10-12 original candidates. He appears set to switch sides at the bargaining table after representing several Mets stars including Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier.Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom also was a finalist and remains a possibility, according to the person. An announcement is expected shortly after the World Series — but no sooner than Tuesday.Doug Melvin also had a second interview with ownership this week, but the former Texas and Milwaukee general manager was told he is no longer in the running.With the Mets seeking a replacement for Sandy Alderson, the finalists met during the week with owner Fred Wilpon and his son, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.Alderson was hired as Mets general manager in October 2010 but took a leave of absence in late June after a recurrence of cancer. He said the team’s poor record did not merit him returning.Baseball decisions have since been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to the Wilpons.Players and rival agents around the majors have expressed concern about a potential conflict of interest if Van Wagenen flips roles Bert Blyleven Jersey , though the move is not unprecedented. Former big league pitcher Dave Stewart made the switch from agent to front-office executive with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a couple of GMs in the NBA did the same.“In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field,” Van Wagenen said Monday in a statement released by the Mets after his second interview. “My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful.”Following the team’s second consecutive losing season, Jeff Wilpon has been looking for a progressive thinker from outside the organization to take over as GM. He said he was open to “untraditional candidates,” an approach that has support from his father, and would like to have someone in place by the Nov. 5-8 general managers’ meetings.Jeff Wilpon also said he would like Ricco, Ricciardi and Minaya to return — but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be retained.“As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-paul-o_neill-jersey , the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win,” Van Wagenen said in his statement. “If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation.”Van Wagenen also represents Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback.If he takes the GM job, Van Wagenen would need to give up his career as an agent.Van Wagenen played college baseball at Stanford with current Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch, and the two became good friends. A potential National League playoff preview will continue at Chavez Ravine on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Dodgers (59-48) host the Milwaukee Brewers (62-47) as large home favorites at the sportsbooks.The Dodgers lost the series opener 5-2 on Monday as favorites, giving the Brewers the most wins in the NL.MLB betting line: The Dodgers opened as -167 favorites (wager $167 to win $100); the total is at eight runs Jacoby Ellsbury Jersey , according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 3.1-3.0, Dodgers (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Brewers can pay on the MLB linesMilwaukee remains one of the most underrated teams in baseball, as they have gone 6-3 since suffering through a season-worst seven-game losing streak. The Brewers ended that skid with a 4-2 home win against Los Angeles on July 21 but still lost two of three to the Dodgers right after the MLB All-Star break.The Brewers are hoping to catch the Chicago Cubs for the lead in the NL Central and wrap up an eight-game West Coast road trip with four in Los Angeles. Wade Miley (1-1, 2.01 ERA) will toe the rubber here, and he is coming off a solid start at the beginning of the trip at San Francisco, allowing two runs and six hits in five innings of an eventual 7-5 Milwaukee victory last Thursday. Why the Dodgers can pay on the MLB linesThe Dodgers are involved in an equally competitive divisional race with the Arizona Diamondbacks http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-don-mattingly-jersey , so they cannot afford to lose two in a row to the Brewers. Los Angeles has dropped consecutive games only once since the end of June, and one of those losses was a 16-inning road affair a week ago at the Philadelphia Phillies.Countering Miley on the mound will be Walker Buehler (4-3, 3.92 ERA), who has pitched much better at home than on the road. The 24-year-old has gone 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA at Dodger Stadium, limiting opposing hitters to a .209 batting average there compared to 2-1 with a 5.26 ERA away from home. He has never faced Milwaukee in 20 career games. Smart betting pickLos Angeles is 10-6 in the past 16 meetings, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, but a disappointing 3-5 in the last eight after posting a 7-1 mark in the previous eight. During this recent stretch, the Brewers have beaten the Dodgers three straight times at home Aroldis Chapman Jersey , and they will make it four in a row with another upset victory.MLB betting trendsMilwaukee is 4-1 in its last five games.Milwaukee is 4-1 in its last five games on the road.LA Dodgers is 2-4 in its last six games when playing Milwaukee.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.

on the New York Mets from the moment he walked into their winter meetings suite in Las Vegas last week.“It was his handshake Bryan Holaday Jersey ,” new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen recalled Tuesday at the catcher’s introductory news conference. “As some of you may get to know, this guy has really big, strong, strong mitts here for hands.”Ramos agreed to a $19 million, two-year contract, the fourth All-Star to join the Mets since Van Wagenen was hired in late October. New York acquired second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz from Seattle and brought back former closer Jeurys Familia as a setup man.“Internally, we would argue that we’re the favorites in the division right now,” Van Wagenen told the team’s SNY network.Ramos commanded the room, according to Van Wagenen Brad Ziegler Jersey , when he met with the GM, manager Mickey Callaway and other New York executives. Ramos looked at home during the Citi Field news conference, wearing a sports shirt and sneakers as he slipped on a Mets jersey with his No. 40 — pitcher Jason Vargas agreed to switch to No. 44. Ramos maintained he has completely recovered from a tore right ACL in September 2016, which delayed his first game of the following season until late June.“Right now I feel 100 percent,” he said. “I’ve been working really hard, training really good in Florida. That made me feel confident to work in every part of my body, not only my knee.”Ramos has a lengthy injury history. His 2012 season ended May 12 when he tore the medial meniscus in his right knee while running after a passed ball. He went on the disabled list twice the following year after straining his left hamstring while running out a grounder. He broke the hamate bone in his left hand when hit by a foul tip on opening day in 2014, which sidelined him until May 7, then missed two weeks that June due to a strained right hamstring.He tore his ACL in 2016 when he landed awkwardly while catching a throw. He missed another month last summer after straining his right hamstring while running on a grounder.“We did a lot of research on his medical file http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-rod-carew-jersey ,” Van Wagenen said. “We obviously did a physical examination of him, and we were able to get really good detailed video of some of his workouts that he was doing this offseason.”Ramos’ arrival could lead New York to giving Travis d’Arnaud some time at first or third base or in left field. New York also may carry three catchers — Kevin Plawecki is out of options.Ramos’ deal includes a $2 million signing bonus payable next July 1, $6.25 million in 2019 and $9.25 million in 2020. The Mets have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $1.5 million buyout. Ramos would earn a $500,000 bonus in each season he has 100 starts at catcher.New York was seeking offense from the right side of the plate in the absence of Yoenis Cespedes, expected to be sidelined for a significant part of the season while recovering from surgery on both heels. Van Wagenen called the 31-year-old Ramos a “guy that can keep us a little bit above water on that side of the plate until Cespedes comes back.”Ramos hit .306 with 15 home runs and an .845 OPS last season for Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.While back in his home nation of Venezuela, Ramos was kidnapped in November 2011 and rescued after two days. He sidestepped a question about whether he and his family needed special security.“I feel comfortable living here in the States,” he said. “My family’s happy and I’m not putting too much attention on that because. … I want to concentrate on my game, on my job.”Van Wagenen said New York still had the flexibility to add payroll. He made an effort to project confidence, reading from prepared remarks.“We haven’t been shy and we haven’t been bashful Brian Dozier Jersey ,” he said. “And this action rather than our inaction should demonstrate to the fans that we say what we do and we do what we say.”Notes: OF Brandon Nimmo attended the news conference. Nimmo, who was in New York for a meeting, said he wasn’t bothered by his name being mentioned as trade bait and didn’t call the Mets to inquire. “There’s so many scenarios that come up in the trade talks that it’s really hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction,” he said. G Fiume/Getty ImagesThe Washington Nationals announced Wednesday that relief pitcher Shawn Kelley was designated for assignment following an outburst in Tuesday's 25-4 win over the New York Mets at Nationals Park.Kelley, who threw his glove to the ground after allowing a home run to Mets outfielder Austin Jackson, said he "acted like a baby," per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Nationals manager Dave Martinez called the reliever's actions "disrespectful to the organization.""You're either in or you're in the way. I thought he was in the way," general manager Mike Rizzo said, adding the incident was "selfish."Kelley was enjoying a strong season for Washington out of the bullpen. He compiled a 3.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. His 35 pitching appearances were tied for the fourth-most on the team.The 34-year-old Kentucky native struggled in 2017 en route to a 7.27 ERA in 33 games http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-morneau-jersey , but he finished with a sub-2.65 ERA in each of the previous two years. He owns a 3.73 career ERA across nine-plus seasons.He previously played for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.The Nationals must decide whether to place Kelley on waivers, trade him or release him within the next seven days if they don't return him to the active 40-man roster. Since the non-waiver trade deadline passed Tuesday, he would need to clear waivers before Washington could deal him.Sammy Solis and Justin Miller will take on more prominent roles in the Nats pen in front of closer Kelvin Herrera and setup man Ryan Madson.Kelley should generate interest either via trade or free agency given his track record.