Kevin Pillar Leads Giants To 9-8 Win Over Cardinals; Mookie Betts Homers Twice In Red Sox Victory

Players of the Day for Wednesday, September 4, 2019

American League

Betts: 4-for-5, 2HR, 5RBI

Realists may believe Boston's chances for reaching the playoffs are fading fast, but apparently nobody told Mookie Betts.

The Red Sox's leadoff hitter absolutely tore up Minnesota's starting pitcher, Jose Berrios, leading off the bottom of the first with a solo home run, then mashing a three-run shot in the second. After Berrios went to the showers in the sixth, Betts responded to the relief staff with a single and his fifth RBI of the game, won by Boston, 6-2. The run was changed to Berrios.

Betts finished 4-for-5, with two homers - his 24th and 25th - two runs and five RBI, giving him 75 on the year. Betts leads the league in runs, with 125.

With Cleveland topping the White Sox, 8-6, Minnesota's loss left them 5 1/2 ahead of the Indians in the AL Central. Boston trails Oakland and Cleveland for the second wild card slot. Tampa Bay holds the top position, though only by 1/2 game over the A's and Indians.

The rubber game of the series is set for Thursday in Boston, at 7:10 pm ET. On Friday, the Red Sox welcome in the Yankees for a "make-or-break" four-game series over the weekend and into Monday.

Pillar powers Giants

National League

Kevin Pillar and the San Francisco Giants found a way to slow down the charging Cardinals, but just barely, as they out-slugged St. Louis in a 9-8 win.

Pillar's two-run homer in the eighth inning provided the difference, turning a 8-7 deficit into a 9-8 lead that was secured by the Giants' bullpen for the win.

The two teams combined for 28 hits and used 13 pitchers. Pillar went 4-for-5 with three singles in addition to his 21st home run of the year, driving in three runs.

At 67-72, the Giants have almost no hope of reaching the playoffs. The win snapped a four-game losing streak.

Even with the loss, the Cardinals remain one of the hottest teams in the majors, having won 14 of their last 18.

St. Louis continues to lead the NL Central, but dropped 1/2-game to the second place Cubs, who were idle on Wednesday and trail now by 2 1/2 games.

The Giants and Cardinals wrap up their four-game series in St. Louis on Thursday. Game time is 1:15 pm ET, after which the Giants head to Los Angeles for three games with the Dodgers. On Friday, the Cardinals begins a six-game road trip with three each in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Mets End Skid As Todd Frazier Drives In Six; Mookie Betts Keeps Red Sox Hopes Alive

Players of the Day for Friday, August 30, 2019

American League

Betts homers twice

Mookie Betts got the Red Sox started with a leadoff home run. Five hours later, he ended Boston's 15-inning marathon with another solo shot, as Boston kept its playoff hopes alive with a 7-6 win over the Angels at Anaheim.

Betts finished the night 3-for-7 with three runs and two RBI, adding a single and scoring the third inning.

One of the few bright spots for the Red Sox this year, Betts has 23 home runs and 69 RBI. His 121 runs leads the majors.

The win kept the Red Sox 5 1/2 behind Oakland for the second wild card. Cleveland leads by a game in the #1 position, while Tampa Bay helped themselves with a 4-0 win over the Indians on Friday. Boston is 4 1/2 behind the Rays.

Boston has won three straight and five of their last six games, and will look to make it two straight over the Angels when they meet on Saturday, at 6:07 pm PT.

National League

Frazier: 2HR, 6 RBI

Losers of six straight, the New York Mets needed a spark - and a win - lest they fall completely out of contention in the wild card race. Entering the first of a three-game series at the Phillies, they found themselves five games behind the Cubs for the second wild card, with the Phillies, Brewers and Diamondbacks (winners of five straight) in between.

Through seven innings, there seemed to be little hope, as the Mets and Phillies remained tied at 1-1. All of that changed in the final two innings, as the teams combined for 14 runs.

After Amed Rosario singled in two runs, Todd Frazier broke out with his 17th home run, a three-run blast that gave the Mets a solid lead at 6-1. In the ninth, he did it again, driving in six runs with his two dingers, as the Mets exploded to an 11-5 victory.

The win kept the Mets on pace with the Cubs and Diamondbacks, both winners Friday, and improved their position versus the Phillies and Brewers. Milwaukee has lost four of its last five games.

The Mets and Phillies meet again on Saturday and Sunday.

Anibal Sanchez Sharp in Nationals' 9-3 Win over Cubs; J.D. Martinez' 2 HRs, 7 RBI Lead Boston Rout of Padres

Players of the Day for Friday, August 23, 2019

Martinez: 2 HR, 7 RBI

American League

Boston, in defense of their 2018 championship, hasn't fared well and probably won't make the playoffs.

That doesn't mean they're going to go down without a fight, however, as they trail the Indians and A's by 6 1/2 games after blistering the Padres, 11-0, Friday night.

While Eduardo Rodriguez was holding San Diego scoreless on five hits over seven innings, J.D. Martinez was blasting away at the plate, socking a pair of three-run homers and driving in a run with a sac fly. Martinez totaled seven RBI, going 3-for-4 at the plate.

The dingers were numbers 29 and 30 for Martinez, and his RBI total for the season measured 82 after the game. While Martinez's .312 batting average is solid, it and his power numbers are down from last season, when he batted .330 with 43 homers and 130 RBI.

Boston continues its three-game series in San Diego Saturday. Game time is 8:40 pm ET.

National League

Sanchez: 8 1/3 IP, 1H, 1ER

Continuing their pursuit of the Braves in the NL East, the Washington Nationals have carved out the top spot in the wild card standings, cementing that with a 9-3 win in Chicago over the Cubs on Friday.

With his longest mound outing since 2015, Anibal Sanchez showed the way to an easy win, allowing one hit and one earned run over 8 1/3 innings.

Sanchez threw 76 of 112 pitches for strikes, fanning six and walking two, the last of which led to the first of three runs the Cubs would score in the ninth. After Nick Castellanos singled in the fourth, Sanchez set down 14 straight before walking Tony Kemp, who eventually scored on a throwing error.

Sanchez finished for the night, Matt Grace mopped up what remained of the Cubs' mini-rally.

Opening their three game series in Chicago with a win left the Nationals six games behind the Braves in the division and two games up on Cubs, the loss sending them to second place in the Central, 1/2 game behind the Cardinals, who topped Colorado, 8-3, and took over the division lead.

Game two of the Chicago-Washington series is Saturday, 2:20 pm ET.

Rafael Devers First to 100 RBI as Boston Rips O's; Mets Win, Pete Alonso Sets NL Rookie HR Record

Players of the Day for Sunday, August 18, 2019

Devers first to 100 RBI

American League

Rafael Devers became the first player in the majors to knock in 100 runs this season, going 4-for-5 with four RBI in Boston's 13-7 romp over the Orioles.

Devers has been "el Fuego" of late, riding an eight-game hitting streak in which he's batting a robust .540 (20-for-37) with four home runs and 14 RBI. That streak includes an August 13, 6-for-6 effort in a 7-6 win at Cleveland which started Boston's current five-game winning streak.

Devers singled, doubled twice, and socked his 27th home run as the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the visiting Orioles. He has 101 RBI and is third in the batting stats, at .332.

Boston remained 6 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card spot, as the Rays defeated Detroit, 5-4. While the odds that the Red Sox will reach the playoffs are slim, they do play at Tampa Bay four more times and have a favorable schedule coming up. After hosting two games against the contending Phillies Tuesday and Wednesday, they embark on an eight-game road trip, with three in San Diego, two at Colorado, and three in Anaheim against the Angels. All of those teams have sub-.500 records.

National League

Alonso sets rookie mark

There's little doubt who the NL rookie of the year is going to be. The Mets' Pete Alonso has been having an incredible first year, providing a power punch in the middle of New York's lineup.

On Sunday, Alonso watched a milestone, setting a new National League record for home runs by a rookie with his 40th dinger as the Mets punched out the Royals, 11-5, tying Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the wild card standings.

Alonso, home run was an add-on solo shot in the ninth, but he contributed earlier, walking and scoring in the first inning on Michal Conforto's three=run homer, singling in the sixth, doubling in a run and scoring in the Mets' six=-run seventh.

His two RBI have Alonso at 95, closing in on the leaders, three of which are tied at 98 (Freddie Freeman, Eduardo Escobar, and Josh Bell). He's batting .271.

The previous rookie HR record was held by Cody Bellinger, who socked 39 for the Dodgers in 2017 and was named rookie of the year. Alonso is just one homer short of the Mets' franchise record, held jointly by Carolos Beltran and Todd Hundley. Mark McGuire's MLB record of 49, set with the Oakland Athletics in 1987, may be too much to ask of the 24-year-old slugger.

24-10 since the all-star break, the Mets are the success story of the second half. They've gotten themselves into the wild card hunt, just two games behind the Cubs and/or Cardinals, who are the holders of the second spot but are tied for the lead in the NL Central.

Their work cut out for them with a brutal schedule ahead - a nine-game home stand with three games each against the Indians, Braves, and Cubs - the Mets open on Tuesday with a 7:10 pm ET game against Cleveland.

Mookie Betts' 3 Homers Power Red Sox Past Yankees; Paul Goldschmidt Blasts Cardinals into 1st Place

Players of the Day for Friday, July 26, 2019

American League

Betts: 4-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI

In the first two games of their four-game set at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox have made the New York Yankees look like also-rans, rather than the team leading the AL East.

After bombing them 19-3 on Thursday, the Red Sox came out swinging again, as Mookie Betts got the hit parade going with a leadoff homer. J.D. Martinez followed with a two-run blast, putting Boston up, 3-0, after one, en route to a 10-5 victory.

Betts homered in his second and third at-bats, stroking a solo shot in the third and a two-run rip in the fourth. All three of his home runs were over the Green Monster in left field. For good measure, Betts tattooed the wall in his fourth at-bat, driving in another run with a double in the sixth inning. He finished up 4-for-5 with five RBI and four runs.

Boston's hard-hitting lineup has taken the measure of New York's below-average starting pitching and depleted bullpen. They mangled Yankee starter, James Paxton, for nine hits and seven runs over four innings.

Despite giving up 10 hits, Boston's Andrew Cashner (10-5) took the win, limiting the Yanks to three runs over 6 2/3 innings.

New York has lost four of their last six games while the Red Sox have won four of their last five. The Yankees still lead Tampa Bay by 8 1/2 games, with Boston another 1/2-game back.

Game three of the series starts at 4:05 pm ET, Saturday.

Goldschmidt: 5 Games, 5 HR

National League

Paul Goldschmidt's eighth-inning, three-run homer turned the tables on Houston, leading St. Louis to their sixth straight win, 5-3 over the visiting Astros.

It was the fifth straight game in which Goldschmidt has gone yard, one game short of the club record shared by Matt Carpenter and Mark McGwire.

After Matt Wieters tied the score at 2-2 in the seventh and the Astros responded with a run in the top of the eighth, Goldschmidt provided the winning margin, sending St. Louis to first place in the NL Central, a position they have not held since May 7. Losing 3-2 to Milwaukee, the Cubs dropped into second place, one game back. Milwaukee is just two games off the pace.

The win was the sixth straight for St. Louis. They are 12-3 since the all-star break. During that period, Goldschmidt has batted .269, with seven dingers and 19 RBI.

St. Louis will have the opportunity to extend their streak and maintain sole possession of first place when they take on the Astros in game two of their three-game series. First pitch is slated for 7:15 pm ET, Saturday night.

Houston remained eight games ahead of Oakland in the AL West, as the A's were dropped by the Rangers, 5-2.

Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox Pound Yanks, 19-3; Daniel Murphy Leads Rockies in Comeback Win

Players of the Day for Thursday, July 25, 2019

Bogaerts: 4-6, 2HR, 4RBI

American League

Entering their four game series at Boston, the New York Yankees held a 10-game lead over Tampa in the division and an 11-game bulge over the Red Sox.

That would be hard to believe after the events of the first game, in which the Red Sox hammered starter Masahiro Tanaka for seven runs in the first inning, en route to a 19-3 demolition of the first place Bombers.

The Red Sox amassed 23 hits off four Yankee hurlers, 13 of them for extra bases. Xander Bogaerts was one of the leaders of the assault, going 4-for-6 with four RBI and four runs. Bogaerts' first-inning, three-run homer set the tone, and Boston hitters just kept piling on the division leaders with impunity.

Bogaerts added a pair of singles and an eighth-inning solo homer. While the Red Sox are just 8-6 since the all-star game, their relatively tame performance cannot be tied to Bogarts and his hot bat. He's batting .419 with six home runs and 17 RBI over his last 15 games.

Friday's game two is scheduled for a 7:10 pm start at Fenway Park.

Murphy: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI

National League

Daniel Murphy is heating up, and that should be good news for the Colorado Rockies.

One of the best hitters in the majors, Murphy's been boosting his batting average, upping it to .287 with a 3-for-5 effort in Colorado's 8-7 comeback win at Washington.

The Nationals held a 7-5 lead entering the eighth inning, but Murphy cut the lead in half with his third hit of the game, a solo homer into the right field seats.

After Ian Desmond tied the game in the ninth with a solo shot of his own, Murphy knocked in the game-winner on a fielder's choice ground out, getting Charlie Blackmon home from third.

Murphy drove in two runs and scored three times. Over his past 15 games, Murphy has been on fire, batting .327 with three homers.

Colorado's victory left them mired in last place in the NL West. They are 6 1/2 games away from the wild card spot.

The Rockies open a three-game series in Cincinnati, Friday at 6:40 pm.

Red Sox Rout O's, 17-6, Behind Jackie Bradley Jr.; Javier Baez Leads Cubs Past Padres, 6-5

Players of the Day for Saturday, July 20, 2019

Bradley Jr.: 2 HR, 6 RBI

American League

After dropping the opener of their three-game series in Baltimore, 11-2, Friday, the Boston Red Sox roared back with a 17-6 romp at Camden Yards in game two, socking five home runs, two of them by center fielder, Jackie Bradley Jr.

Appreciated primarily for his defense, the fleet-footed Bradley whacked a pair of three-run homers, driving in six runs as the Red Sox took advantage of the small dimensions in Baltimore.

Since the all-star break, Boston is just 5-4, and they're still in third place in the AL East, 11 games behind the runaway Yankees and a game behind struggling Tampa Bay. They're also three games behind Oakland for the second wild card, so the defending world champs have work to do down the stretch.

After Sunday's series finale (1:05 pm ET), the Red Sox will enter a crucial stretch in which they play 14 straight games against Tampa Bay and New York, six against the Rays and eight against the Yankees from July 22 through August 4.

National League

Baez: 3-4, HR, 3R, 3RBI

Opening up a three-game lead in the contentious NL Central with a 6-5 win over San Diego, the Chicago Cubs have a golden opportunity to put some space between themselves and their closest pursuers, Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Chicago leads Milwaukee by three games and St. Louis by 3 1/2.

Javier Baez singled, doubled, and mashed a three-run homer to left field in the fourth inning that put the Cubs on top to stay.

Jose Quintana (8-7) allowed five runs in five innings, but four Chicago relievers blanked the Padres over the final four.

It was the second straight 6-5 win for the Cubs over visiting San Diego, and Chicago's fourth straight win overall. They're 7-1 since the all-star break and are looking to distance themselves in the division.

Baez, who came close to being the NL MVP last season with 40 doubles, 34 home runs and 111 RBI, is on pace to equal or exceed those figures. He's batting .292 with 25 doubles, 24 home runs and 67 RBI.

The Cubs will be seeking the series sweep when they take the field Sunday against the Padres. Game time is 2:20 pm ET.

Chris Sale Fans 12 As Red Sox Blank Blue Jays; Stephen Strasburg Bats His Way to 12th Win, Leads NL

Players of the Day for Thursday, July 18, 2019

American League

Sale: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 12 K

Still on the outside looking in at the AL wild card race, the Boston Red Sox got a needed boost from Chris Sale, as the seven-time all-star allowed two hits and no runs over six innings, striking out 12 in a 5-0 Boston win.

Despite a 4-9 record, Sale is second in Al strikeouts with 172, trailing Houston's Gerrit Cole, who leads the majors with 194.

Boston's bullpen finished the shutout, no-hitting the Jays through the seventh, eighth and ninth.

At 53-44, the Red Sox are two games behind the Rays and A's for the second wild card. Cleveland has surged to claim the first wild card by one game, with a 55-40 mark.

Boston took three of four from the Blue Jays and are 4-3 since the all-star break. They head to Baltimore for a three-game series, starting Friday at 7:05 pm ET.

National League

12-4 Strasburg Leads AL

Taking the lead in NL wins with his 12th of the year, Stephen Strasburg didn't pitch his best game in Washington's 13-4 whipping of the Braves, but he did hit the highlight reel pretty hard at the plate, socking a three-run homer and singling in two more runs as the Nationals inched closer to first-place Atlanta in the East.

Strasburg only lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs, fanning seven, but, thanks to an eight-run third inning, the Nationals really didn't need to extend their ace. Three relievers mopped up the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing the Braves just one more tally after Strasburg's departure.

Leading off the third inning with a single, Strasburg scored on Adam Eaton's triple and homered later in the frame. His two-RBI single came in the fifth, padding the Washington lead.

Teammate Max Scherzer leads the NL in strikeouts with 181. Arizona's Robbie Ray is second with 152; Strasburg is next, at 151.

The result of Thursday's contest in Atlanta left the Nationals 5 1/2 games behind the Braves, the closest they've been to the division lead since late April. The Nationals are 14-4 since June 25th. Atlanta has lost three straight.

Thursday's game was the first of four in Washington. Game two of the series is Friday at 7:20 pm ET.

David Price, Steve Pearce Send Red Sox To Ninth Championship With 5-1 Win Over Dodgers

Players of the Day for Sunday, October 28, 2018

World Series Game 5: Boston Red Sox 5 LA Dodgers 1

Pearce: Series MVP

In a fitting end to the 2018 baseball season, the American League's Boston Red Sox thumped the Los Angeles Dodgers, representing the National League, 5-1, ending the World Series, four games to one.

David Price pitched a solid seven-plus innings for the win, allowing one run on three hits, fanning five and walking three, the sole Dodger run coming on the first pitch Price threw to David Freese to open the bottom of the first inning. Freese blasted a Price fastball into the stands in right field.

For the Dodgers, Freese's homer supplied some hope after Steve Pearce rocked LA starter, Clayton Kershaw, for a two-run home run in the top of the first.

Following Freese's home run and a walk to Justin Turner, Price delivered the best mound effort of the series. Starting with a double play to erase Turner and batter Enrique Hernandez, he then struck out Manny Machado to end the inning with Boston holding a slim, one-run lead.

Price: Game 5 winner

Price allowed a single by Yasiel Puig in the second, and a David Freese triple on a misplayed fly ball by J.D. Martinez in the third, after which he set down the Dodgers in order, retiring 14 straight Dodger batters. He was relieved by Joe Kelly after walking Chris Taylor to lead off the Dodger eighth.

By then, however, the lead had grown to 5-1, on solo homers by Mookie Betts in the sixth, Martinez in the seventh, and a second home run by Pearce. Kelly struck out the side in the eighth, and Chris Sale did the same in the ninth, getting Turner, Hernandez and Machado swinging to close out the game, the series and the 2018 season.

In addition to his game two win, Price won his second game of the series and was 3-1 in the post-season with a 3.46 ERA. Steve Pearce was named World Series MVP. During the post-season, he batted .289 with four homers and 11 RBI. In the five games against the Dodgers, he batted .333 (4-for-12) with three home runs and eight RBI.

The Red Sox won 108 games during the regular season, took out the Yankees in four games in the ALDS, and wiped away the Houston Astros in five games in the best-of-seven AL championship series.

Steve Pearce's 4 RBI Deliver Game Four Red Sox Win; Boston Leads World Series, 3-1

Players of the Day for Saturday, October 27, 2018

World Series Game Four: Boston Red Sox 9 LA Dodgers 6

Pearce: 2-4, 2B, HR 4RBI

Just when it seemed the Dodgers had found new life, the Red Sox hammered another nail in the coffin, erasing a 4-0, sixth-inning LA lead with nine runs in the final three frames for a 9-6 victory and a three games to one lead in the best-of-seven series.

After Yasiel Puig had put the Dodgers up 4-0 with a three run blast off Boston starter, Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston bats came to life. Mitch Moreland socked a three-run, pinch-hit home run to close the gap to one run in the seventh and Steve Pearce's solo shot tied it in the eighth. With Boston hurlers keeping the Dodgers off the bases, the Red Sox struck for five runs in the ninth to put the game away.

Rafael Devers singled home Brock Holt from second base to give the Red Sox the lead and Pearce delivered again, stroking a bases-loaded double in the right-center gap, driving in three additional runs. Xander Bogaerts delivered Pearce with an RBI single to complete the Boston scoring.

The Dodgers' responded with two runs via an Enrique Hernandez home run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not nearly enough, sending the series to game five, Sunday night in LA, 8:15 pm ET.

A Boston win on Sunday would finish the series and give the Red Sox their ninth championship and fourth in the 21st century. Boston has won the World Series in 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, and 2013.

J.D. Martinez Drives In Two As Boston Doubles Up On Dodgers, 4-2, Leads Series Two Games To None

Players of the Day for Wednesday, October 24, 2018

World Series Game Two: Boston Red Sox 4 LA Dodgers 2

J.D. Martinez

Taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven World Series, the Boston Red Sox doubled up on the Dodgers again, with a 4-2, game two win after steamrolling to an 8-4 win in game one.

Boston's J.D. Martinez had the key hit. Singling to right with score tied and the bases loaded in the fifth, Martinez drove in a pair of runs to put the Red Sox up 4-2, allowing starter David Price and a trio of relievers to hold the Dodgers hitless for the final four innings.

Price earned the win, allowing three hits and two runs while fanning five and walking three. Joe Kelly, Nathan Eovaldi, and Criag Kimbrel respectively worked perfect seventh, eighth, and ninth innings after Price set the side down in order in the top of the sixth.

Mookie Betts had three hits and scored a run; Martinez, who was 1-for-4, is batting .429 in the series and is at .333 with two homers and 13 RBI in the 2018 post-season. Martinez led the AL in RBI with 130 during the regular season and was second in batting and home runs at .330 and 43.

After a day off Thursday, the series resumes Friday in Los Angeles. Games three is scheduled for an 8:09 pm ET start.

Red Sox Take World Series Game One Over Dodgers; Andrew Benintendi 4-for-5

Players of the Day for Tuesday, October 23, 2018

World Series Game One: Boston Red Sox 8 LA Dodgers 4

Benintendi: 4-5, RBI, 3R

With superstars like Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez surrounding him in the Boston lineup, left fielder Andrew Benintendi doesn't get much attention, but he came to play in game one of the World Series, going 4-for-5 with three runs and an RBI to help the Red Sox gain an early edge in the best-of-seven series.

Benintendi drove in the first Boston run with a single in the first inning, driving in Betts and taking second on Yasiel Puig's errant throw to the plate. He scored when Martinez lashed a single up the middle, giving Boston a quick 2-0 lead.

He singled again in the third, but was put out at second on a fielder's choice. In the fifth, Benintendi singled again, coming around to score on Rafael Devers' two out single, as Boston plated two runs to break a 3-3 tie.

After the Dodgers had cut the lead to 5-4, Benintendi smacked a ground rule double to lead off the seventh inning and was aboard when Eduardo Nunez broke the game open with a three-run homer.

Benintendi is batting .304 in the 2018 post-season, with five RBI and 12 runs.

Boston has been making a habit of winning opening games in World Series. Their game one win was the sixth straight time they've done it, dating back to 1975.

The Red Sox outhit the Dodgers, 11 to 8, and worked out five walks to three for LA. Matt Kemp's solo homer in the first inning was the Dodgers' only extra-base hit. Manny Machado drove in three of LA's four runs, with a single, a ground out and a sac fly.

Game two is scheduled for an 8:09 start Wednesday night at Fenway Park. Hyun-Jin Ryu will be on the hill for the Dodgers. David Price gets the start for Boston.

David Price, Rafael Devers Send Boston To World Series

Players of the Day for Thursday, October 18, 2018

American League

AL Championship Series Game Five: Boston Red Sox 4 Houston Astros 1

Price: 6IP, 3H, 0ER, 9K

Boston's David Price and Houston's Justin Verlander dueled through six innings until Red Sox third baseman, Rafael Devers, delivered the winning blow, a three-run sixth-inning homer that effectively finished off Verlander and the Astros, sending the Red Sox to a 4-1 win and a trip to the world series.

Verlander suffered his first loss of this post-season, previously notching two wins, over Cleveland in game one of the ALDS and game one against Boston in the championship series. It was Houston's only win against Boston as the Red Sox won four straight.

Devers: 3-run homer

Price evened his 2018 post-season record at 1-1, tossing six innings of shutout ball, nursing a 1-0 lead from the third inning on J.D. Martinez's solo homer run. Price allowed just three hits, didn't issue any walks and fanned nine. The Astros never threatened. With Price on the mound, they never had more than one baserunner per inning, none advancing past second and they went down in order in the third, fifth. and sixth.

This will be the first Red Sox world series appearance since they defeated St. Louis in 2013, four games to two. Boston's experience in the 21st century has been a positive one, winning the World Series in all of their appearances, previously winning in 2004 and 2007. They swept the Colorado Rockies in 2007 and also swept the Cardinals in 2004, taking the title for the first time since 1918.

National League

The NL Championship Series continues Friday in Milwaukee with game five beginning at 8:39 pm ET. The Dodgers lead the Brewers, three games to two.

Jackie Bradley Jr. Homers In Boston Victory; Clayton Kershaw Dominates Brewers As Dodgers Take Game Five

Players of the Day for Wednesday, October 17, 2018

American League

AL Championship Series Game Four: Boston Red Sox 8 Houston Astros 6

Bradley Jr. does it again!

Jackie Bradley Jr. did it again. The Boston center fielder belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning, turning a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 Boston lead that the Red Sox would never relinquish.

Bradley Jr. has become an instant superstar, reminiscent of the Reggie Jackson heroics in the 70s that earned him the name "Mr. October."

In four games against Houston in the Championship Series, Bradley is hitting only .250 (3-for-12), but his hits have been timely and game-changing. In game two, he doubled and drove in three runs. Game three's grand slam sealed Boston's win and another homer put Boston ahead in game four.

The win leaves Boston with a 3-1 lead in the series, with game five scheduled for Thursday at 8:09 pm ET in Houston. A Boston win sends the Red Sox to the World Series. A Houston victory sends the series back to Boston for game six and, if necessary, game seven.

National League

NL Championship Series Game Five: LA Dodgers 5 Milwaukee Brewers 2

Kershaw: 7IP, 3H, 1R, 9K

Clayton Kershaw was at his best, holding the Brewers to one run over seven innings, taking the Dodgers to the brink of their second straight World Series appearance with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee and a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

On Lorenzo Cain's double with two aboard, the Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the third, but that was all they would get off Kershaw, who struck out Christian Yelich, walked Ryan Braun, and struck out Jesus Aguilar to end the bases-loaded threat. After that, he was perfect, retiring the next twelve batters in order from the fourth through seventh innings. He walked two and fanned nine.

During that stretch, the Dodgers rallied with a run in the fifth inning, two in the sixth, and two more in the bottom of the seventh. Kershaw walked in the seventh and came around to score on Justin Turner's single.

With the lead safely in hand, the Dodgers went to the bullpen, needing four relievers to hold down the Brewers. Milwaukee struck for a run in the ninth, but, with Curtis Granderson on second base, Kenley Jansen fanned Jesus Aguilar to shut down the rally and end the game.

The Dodgers find themselves one win away from the World Series as the series heads back to Milwaukee on Friday for game six and seven, if necessary, on Saturday.

Red Sox Hammer Astros, 8-2, On Jackie Bradley Jr. Grand Slam; Cody Bellinger Evens Series For Dodgers

Players of the Day for Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Bradley Jr.: Grand Slam

American League

AL Championship Series Game Three: Boston Red Sox 8  Houston Astros 2

Nursing a 3-2 lead provided by Steve Pearce's solo homer in the sixth, the Red Sox struck for five runs in the eighth, when they loaded the bases, scored a run on a hit batsman and Jackie Bradley Jr. put the game out of reach, mashing a grand slam over the right field wall.

Bellinger: Game winner

The victory put the Red Sox up, two games to one, over the reigning world champion Astros. Game four is on tap for Wednesday, 8:39 pm ET.

National League

NL Championship Series Game Four: LA Dodgers 3  Milwaukee Brewers 2, 13 Innings

In the bottom of the 13th, Cody Bellinger lined a single to right, scoring Manny Machado with the winning run as the Dodgers evened the NLCS at two games apiece.

Game five starts at 5:05 pm ET.

Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. Drive Boston Past Houston, Evening NL Championship Series, 1-1

Players of the Day for Sunday, October 14, 2018

American League

AL Championship Series Game Two: Boston Red Sox 7 Houston Astros 5

Bradley Jr.: 2B, 3 RBI

Trailing 4-2 with the bases loaded in the third inning, Jackie Bradley Jr. lofted a double down the left field line off the Green Monster to bring home three runs, putting the Red Sox ahead for good and tying up the championship series at a game apiece.

Betts: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI

Boston added a run in the seventh inning when Mookie Betts walked, took second on a wild pitch, third on a passed ball and scored on yet another passed ball. In the eighth, Betts doubled in another Red Sox run to extend the lead. Craig Kimbrel picked up the save despite allowing a run in the ninth.

The series shifts to Houston for games three, four, and five, starting Tuesday, October 16 at 5:09 pm ET.

National League

There were no games in the National League.

Game three of the NLCS between Milwaukee and the LA Dodgers is Monday in Los Angeles, 7:39 pm ET.

Red Sox Eliminate Yankees Behind Rick Porcello

Players of the Day for Tuesday, October 9, 2018

American League

Red Sox 4 Yankees 3

Porcello: Game 4 winner

Despite a shaky inning, Craig Kimbrel induced a game-ending ground ball from Gleyber Torres, sending the Boston Red Sox on to the AL championship series.

Kimbrel got the final out of the game in the bottom of the ninth, but not before he had walked two, given up a single, hit a batsmen with the bases loaded and surrendered a sac fly, leaving the tying run on second and the winning run on first base with two outs.

Remarkably, Kimbrel earned his second save of the series, nearly ruining the fine effort put in by starting pitcher, Rick Porcello.

Last appearing in a relief role in game one, Porcello worked five innings as the Red Sox built their lead, finally giving up a run in the bottom of the fifth, when Brett Gardner drove in Gary Sanchez from third with a sac fly.

Otherwise, Porcello was tough as nails, allowing four hits, no walks, striking out one. The victory was his first in post-season play after losing three games in 11 appearances with Detroit and Boston.

Porcello was 17-7 during the regular season, a stalwart hurler in the best season ever for the Red Sox franchise. Boston won 108 games, taking the AL East by eight games.

The Red Sox will host games one and two of the championship best-of-seven series with Houston, champions of the AL West. The Astros were 103-59 and eliminated the Cleveland Indians in three games.

Game one is scheduled for Saturday, October 13, at 8:09 pm ET.

National League

There were no National League games on Tuesday. The NL championship series begins Friday in Milwaukee with the Brewers hosting the Dodgers. Game time is 8:09 pm ET.

Brock Holt First To Hit For Post-Season Cycle In Boston Rout; George Springer Leads Astros; Manny Machado Powers Dodgers Into NLCS

Players of the Day for Monday, October 8, 2018

Holt hits for cycle

American League

Brock Holt became the first player ever to hit for the cycle in the post-season, completing his historic feat in the ninth inning with a home run off Yankee emergency reliever, catcher Austin Romine.

Romine was called to the mound due to the game's out-of-control condition, as Boston handed the Yankees the worst post-season loss in their long history, whipping the home squad 16-1.

Holt, batting seventh, didn't begin his assault on Yankee pitching until the fourth inning. After grounding out harmlessly in the second, Holt led off the fourth with a scratch single to center and later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Mookie Betts. Later in the frame, he tripled in a pair of runs as the Red Sox plated seven runs.

After grounding out to first in the sixth inning, Holt lashed a ground rule double to center in the eighth, driving in two more runs and smacked his homer with one on base in the ninth.

The win left the Yankees down in the series two games to one, facing elimination when the teams meet at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. Game time is 8:07 pm ET. C.C. Sabathia goes to the mound for New York. Rick Porcello is the starter for the Red Sox.

Springer: 2 HR, 2 RBI

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Houston will be returning to the AL championship series for the second straight year after sweeping the Indians, finishing off the Central division champs with an 11-3 romp.

George Springer led a 13-hit attack with two solo homers and a single in six at-bats. He hit .429 over the three-games of the divisional series.

The Astros completely outclassed the Indians in the sweep, outscoring their opponent by a combined score of 21-6.

Machado: 2-4, HR, 4 RBI

Houston awaits the winner of the Boston-New York series in their quest to win a second straight AL championship.


National League

The Dodgers dusted off the Braves in game four of the divisional series with a 6-2 victory, as Manny Machado led the way, going 2-for-5 with four RBI.

Machado got the Dodgers going with an RBI double in the first, driving in Max Muncy, and finished off the Braves with a three-run homer in the seventh.

LA returns to the NL championship series for the third straight season, meeting the Brewers for the right to go to the world series. The best-of-seven series begins Friday in Milwaukee.

J.D. Martinez Lifts Boston Past New York; Clayton Kershaw Blanks Braves

Players of the Day for Friday, October 5, 2018

Martinez: 3-run homer

American League

Boston took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five division series with a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees.

J.D. Martinez got the Red Sox on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a three-run homer over Fenway Park's famous Green Monster and Boston added two more runs in the third, for an early 5-0 lead. Yankee starter, J.A. Happ allowed all five Boston runs, lasting only into the third inning, failing to get any outs in that frame.

The Yankee bullpen shut the door on Boston's hitters after that, but New York could only muster enough runs to make the game interesting. Aaron Judge's solo homer in the ninth was all the Yankees managed off closer Craig Kimbrel. Chris Sale picked up the win.

The teams tangle again in game two of the series, Saturday, 8:15 pm ET

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Houston won the opener of their divisional series with the visiting Indians, topping Cleveland, 7-2. Justin Verlander turned in 5 1/3 solid innings and Houston batters got the best of Cleveland ace, Cory Kluber, nicking him for six hits and four runs over 4 2/3 innings. Alex Bregman, George Springer, and Jose Altuve each hit solo homers off Kluber.

Game two is Saturday at 4:37 pm ET.

National League

Kershaw: 8IP, 2H, 0ER

Clayton Kershaw put the Dodgers up 2-0 in the NL divisional series, with a brilliant post-season start, limiting the Atlanta Braves to two hits over eight innings in a 3-0 Dodger victory.

Kershaw, a seven-time all star and three time NL Cy Young award recipient, needed just 84 pitches to keep the Braves off the bases and the scoreboard. After a leadoff double to Ronald Acuna Jr., Kershaw retired 14 straight batters, going into the fifth inning before surrendering his second hit.

Manny Machado staked Kershaw to an early lead with a two-run, first-inning homer. The series moves to Atlanta for game three, Sunday at 8:07 pm ET.

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Jouyls Chacin and four relievers blanked the Colorado Rockies on six hits as the Milwaukee Brewers took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NL division series with a 4-0 win. Game three is in Denver, Sunday at 4:37 pm.

Rockies' Charlie Blackmon Hits For Cycle; NL West, Central Still Undecided; Boston's Mookie Betts Captures AL Batting Crown

Players of the Day for Sunday, September 30, 2018

American League

Betts: AL batting champ

While Boston's 10-2 win over the Yankees in the regular season finale meant nothing in terms of the post-season, it did provide conclusive confirmation of the AL batting champion, Mookie Betts, who went 1-for-2, finishing the regular season with a .346 batting average.

Betts finished ahead of teammate J.D. Martinez, who ended the season second to Oakland's Khris Davis with 34 home runs to Davis' 38. Martinez did lead in RBI, however, with 130. Davis was second with 123.

The Yankees claimed another record in the game. Miguel Andujar tied the AL rookie record for doubles in a season with his 47th, equalling Boston's Fred Lynn 1974 mark. Lynn won the AL MVP award that season, and, while Andujar has been sensational, he's likely to win only the rookie of the year award. Betts or Martinez are favored to be named league MVP.

The Yankees host the Oakland A's in the wild card game on Wednesday. Boston will play the winner in the AL division series.

National League

Blackmon hits for cycle

The Rockies are in the playoffs, but whether they'll be a wild card or the NL west champion still needs to be decided.

Charlie Blackmon hit for the cycle and the Rockies closed out the regular season with a 12-0 romp over the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers, who entered the day in a flat-footed tie with Colorado atop the NL West, also romped home with a 14-0 defeat of the Giants in San Francisco.

Likewise, the NL Central ended in a tie for first place as the Cubs and Brewers both finished in style, the Cubs topping the Cardinals, 10-5, while the Brewers routed the Tigers 11-0. There will be a pair of one-game playoffs to determine post-season seedings.

Blackmon, batting in his usual leadoff spot, got the hardest part of the cycle out of the way on the second pitch he saw from Nationals' starter Erick Fedde, tripling to right field in the bottom of the first. He scored on Nolan Arenado's home run, beginning the slaughter. Arenado's home run was his 37th, enough to lead the NL in home runs. Matt Carpenter of St. Louis, Milwaukee's Christian Yelich and Arenado's teammate, Trevor Story each ended the season with 36.

In the third inning, Blackmon's 29th homer brought in two runs for a 4-0 lead. He beat out an infield single in the fifth and scored again on David Dahl's three-run homer. After striking out in the sixth, Blackmon doubled, driving in two runs, to complete the cycle.

Blackmon batted .289 for the season, with 70 RBI and led the league in runs. His 119 runs scored was one more than Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, who captured the batting title with a .323 average.

The Rockies play at Los Angeles Monday at 4:00 pm EDT to determine the division champion and wild card. At 1:00 pm EDT, the Cubs host the Brewers for the Central division title. The loser of that game will host Wednesday's NL wild card game.