Will longstanding tensions surface in ALDS battle between Astros and A's?

Will longstanding tensions surface in ALDS battle between Astros and A's?
The Houston Astros, with a 29-31 record under former Nationals manager Dusty Baker, could be the first team in baseball history to make the World Series with a losing record thanks to a pandemic-shortened 60-game season. But this is more important to the Astros: The team is trying to erase the cheating image they have after banging on garbage cans to steal signs and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the 2017 World Series. The Astros' general manager, Jeff Luhnow, and manager, A.J. Hinch,...

Some key points entering regular season's final week of play

Some key points entering regular season's final week of play
Baseball's final week of the regular season has arrived. Here's what we know: The Brewers haven't missed National League MVP candidate Christian Yelich: The Brewers are 10-2 since Yelich was sidelined with a knee injury. They are 17-4 during September, a repeat performance of last season when they won 20 games in the final month to make the postseason. The Brewers, who have the tiebreaker to get home field in case of a wild card tie with Washington, have scored 32 runs in their last four...

Opposite dugout: For A's, bats have produced better than arms

Opposite dugout: For A's, bats have produced better than arms
Manager: Bob Melvin (8th year) Record: 15-16 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 2B Jed Lowrie (.346/.399/.614 qurg 8 HR, 30 RBIs), LF Khris Davis (7 HR, 23 RBIs), 3B Matt Chapman (6 HR, 15 RBIs), SS Marcus Semien (13 RBIs), RHP Trevor Cahill (1-1, 3.00 ERA), RHP Blake Treinen (5 saves, 1.2( ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (3-4 in 2017) Pitching probables: May 4: RHP Andrew Cashner (1-4) vs. RHP Daniel Mengden (2-3), 10:05 p.m., MASN2 May 5: RHP Kevin Gausman (2-2) vs. RHP Trevor...

Defending World Series champion Astros remain favorites in AL West

Defending World Series champion Astros remain favorites in AL West
Who says rebuilding lasts forever? It only seems to be the case. The Astros, who had 100-loss seasons each year from 2011 to 2013, won their first World Series last season. This season, they are the favorite to win the American League West. And they could be the first team since the 1999-2000 New York Yankees to win consecutive World Series. In the rest of the AL West, the stories are the same. The Mariners, Angels, Athletics and Rangers have potent lineups, but rotation questions. The...

Opposite dugout: Multiple problems have A's bringing up rear in AL West

Opposite dugout: Multiple problems have A's bringing up rear in AL West
Manager: Bob Melvin (7th year) Record: 23-30 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 2B Jed Lowrie (.290/.360/.404, 16 2B), 1B Yonder Alonso (.285/.384/.642, 31 RBIs), LF Khris Davis (.219/.308/.503, 16 HR), RHP Sonny Gray (2-2, 4.72 ERA, 1.252 WHIP) RHP Santiago Casilla (4.66 ERA, 8 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-0 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 2: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Andrew Triggs, 10:05 p.m., MASN2. June 3: RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Daniel Mengden, 4:05 p.m., MASN June...

Opposite dugout: A's out of AL West race, playing out the string

Opposite dugout: A's out of AL West race, playing out the string
Manager: Bob Melvin (5th year) Record: 51-65 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Billy Burns (.296, 23 SB), RF Josh Reddick (.282 with 13 HR, 60 RBIs), 3B Brett Lawrie (10 HR, 45 RBIs), C Steven Vogt (15 HR, 60 RBIs), RHP Sonny Gray (12-4, 2.06 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 14: TBA vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 15: RHP Chris Bassitt vs. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 16: RHP Kendall Graveman vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 1:35 p.m., MASN Aug. 17:...