Alabama coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, three days before the second-ranked Crimson Tide is set to face No. 3 Georgia in a clash of Southeastern Conference and national powers. Both said their tests Wednesday morning came back positive, but Saban said he didn’t have any symptoms by […]
The Dodgers scored 11 runs in the first inning of Game 3 of the NLCS. It was the most runs in any single inning in MLB postseason history. Here are some highlights and what Dodgers fans were tweeting in a must-win game after being down 2-0 in the series to the Atlanta Braves. And oh,…
ON THE CUSP—In postseason history, teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven have gone on to win the series 37 of 38 times (97.4 pct.)…the only team to come back from a 3-0 deficit was the 2004 Red Sox (ALCS vs. NYY)… the Rays are attempting to become the sixth team to sweep the American League Championship Series since its best-of-seven format began in 1985…they would join the 1988 Athletics, 1990 Athletics, 2006 Tigers, 2012 Tigers and 2014 Royals…the Rays are attempting to sweep a multigame postseason series for the second time, but the only previous time was a best-of-three 2020 Wild Card Series at Tropicana Field (vs. TOR). — The Rays are a win away from their second AL pennant (2008), but the only current Rays player or uniformed personnel who witnessed them winning it in 2008 from field level (Game 7, at Tropicana Field) was Kevin Cash, who was a Red Sox catcher at the time. — The Rays have won six of their past seven postseason games since losing Game 1 to the Yankees…the Rays are 24-22 all-time in the postseason, 8-2 in 2020 and 10-3 since Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS… including the end of the regular season, they are 17-4 since Sep 17. — Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.
The Astros will try to stave off elimination tonight in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park against the Rays…to do so, the Astros will turn to 17-year veteran RHP Zack Greinke, who’s making his 19th career postseason start, this time opposite RHP Tyler Glasnow and the Rays. GREINKE THIS POSTSEASON: The Astros will start RHP Zack Greinke tonight, who has two starts this postseason, Game 1 of the Wild Card Series at MIN (1ER/4IP) and Game 4 of the ALDS vs. OAK (4ER/4.2IP)…this will be Greinke’s second career postseason start against the Rays, as he started Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS at TB (6ER/3.2IP).
HE’S DUE: Greinke has gone 3-6 with a 4.29 ERA (48ER/100.2IP) and ranks tied for third among active pitchers with 18 career postseason starts, trailing only RHP Justin Verlander (30) and LHP Clayton Kershaw (27) in that category…Greinke has gone 10 postseason starts without earning a win dating to his last postseason victory in Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS vs. NYM…the MLB record is 11 consecutive postseason starts without a win, streaks authored by LHP David Price (2010-18), RHP Tim Hudson (2002-14) and LHP Al Leiter (1997-2000). VS. GLASNOW: RHP Tyler Glasnow has been great this postseason for the Rays, going 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA and posting a dominant 20 strikeouts in his 13.1 innings…he last pitched in Game 5 of the ALDS, starting on two days rest, and tossed 2.1 scoreless frames…the Astros have experience against Glasnow in the postseason, having defeated him twice in the ALDS last year in Games 1 and 5, in which he allowed six runs in 7.0 innings for a 0-2 record and a 7.71 ERA. POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: This is the Astros 14th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 59th year of the franchise that began in 1962…this group of Astros has won a postseason series in four straight seasons (2017-20), leading all MLB teams in postseason games (53) and wins (30) in that time frame…in both categories, the Astros top the Dodgers (43g, 25 wins) and Yankees (34g, 18 wins). LCS HISTORY: This marks the Astros fourth straight trip to the ALCS and their eighth appearance overall in a League Championship Series (1980, 1986, 2004-05, 2017-20)…they are the third team in AL history and the fifth team in Major League history to advance to four straight LCS (since 1969)…the other clubs to do so: the Cardinals (2011-14), Yankees (1998-2001), Braves (1991-99) and A’s (1971-75). THE WILL TO WIN—Last night the Rays overcame a 1-0 deficit, their third comeback win of the postseason after an AL-most 20 come-from behind wins in the regular season…the Rays are 3-2 this postseason when their opponent scores first after going an AL-best 15-14 in the regular season…last night was the second time in club history the Rays won a postseason game without hitting a home run, following Game 2 of the 2008 World Series vs. PHI…combining regular season and postseason, the Rays are 15-6 (.714) when held without a homer, and their 14-5 (.737) mark in the regular season was the best since the 1906 Cubs went 99-34 (.744). — The Rays have been outhit, 26-18, this series, but they are 3-2 this postseason when outhit by their opponent…they are 3-1 when held to 4 hits (or fewer) and 3-2 when scoring 3 runs (or fewer). — The Rays have 3 wins this postseason when striking out 13 times (or more), the most for a team in a single postseason in major league history…prior to this season, the Rays had never won a postseason game on 13 SO (or more)…all three of these wins came in succession: Game 5 vs. NYY, Game 1 vs. HOU and Game 2 vs. HOU. CLOSE SHAVES—Between the regular season and postseason, 38 of the club’s 70 games (54.3 pct.) have been decided by 2 runs (or fewer)…the Rays are 28-10 (.737) in them, going 5-0 in the postseason in addition to a majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the Rays are 16-5 (.762) in 1-run games, including 2-0 this postseason and 15-3 (.833) since Aug 7. — Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a majorleague-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 35-1, 32-0 and 39-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively. — Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 62 straight games when leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors. PITCHING PROPERLY—The Rays have allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in six of 10 postseason games, including four straight for the first time in franchise history…this matches the longest such streak in the last 13 postseasons, and they are the first to do it since the 2017 Dodgers (4)—the last team to allow 2 runs (or fewer) in five straight is the 2007 Red Sox…the Rays have a 3.03 ERA (89-IP, 30-ER) in the postseason, including a 3.15 ERA (45.2-IP, 16-ER) from their starters and a 2.91 ERA (43.1-IP, 14-ER) from relievers. — The Rays have held the Astros to 5 runs and 4 HR (all solo) this series, after the Astros scored 33 runs and hit 12 HR in the Division Series (4 games vs. OAK)…similarly, the Rays held the Yankees to 24 runs and 10 HR in the 5-game Division Series, after the Yankees scored 22 runs and hit 7 HR in their Wild Card sweep at CLE. — Opponents are batting .167 (11-for-66) against Rays pitching with RISP this postseason…the Rays have held the Astros to .167 (4-for24) with RISP—and none of these 4 hits have resulted in a run. — The Rays bullpen has stranded all 21 IR this postseason…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the longest streak of inherited runners stranded to start a postseason, passing the 2006 Cardinals (17)…in the last 7 games (beginning with Game 2 of the ALDS vs. NYY), the Rays bullpen has pitched to a 2.18 ERA (33-IP, 8-ER).
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers continue their best-of-seven National League Championship Series tonight with their third meeting of the season…The 2020 NLCS marks the fourth postseason series between the two clubs. • Atlanta and Los Angeles did not play during the regular season, and last met in 2019…The Braves went 2-4 in six games against the Dodgers last season, being swept at Dodger Stadium and winning two-of-three in Atlanta. • The Braves’ series win against the Dodgers last season was their first since also taking two-of-three from Los Angeles in 2015…In 32 games between the clubs since the start of 2016, including the postseason, Atlanta is 11-21 (.344) vs. Los Angeles. • The Braves and Dodgers have met three times in postseason play, all of which have come in the Division Series…Atlanta swept Los Angeles in the 1996 NLDS, while Los Angeles has won each of the past two series, in 2013 and 2018, 3-1. • RHP Kyle Wright has never faced Los Angeles… The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Huntsville, AL made his postseason debut with the start in Game 3 of the NLDS and blanked Miami over 6.0 innings, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to throw at least 6.0 scoreless frames in their playoff debut. • LHP Julio Urías is set for his second career postseason start and 15th playoff appearance…The 6-foot-0, 215-pound native of Culiacan, Mexico is 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA (9 ER/23.2 IP) in his postseason career, including 8.0 innings without an earned run in two relief appearances this season… Urías has made two career appearances against Atlanta, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings. 2-0 LEAD: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 5-1, in Game 1 of this series on Monday night, before an 8-7 win yesterday to take a 2-0 lead in the series. • The Braves have previously gone 2-0 in a postseason series 14 times in franchise history, and are 12-2 (.857) in these sets…They have never lost a Championship Series when taking a 2-0 lead. • The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the 1992 LCS vs. Pittsburgh and won in seven games, swept Cincinnati in 1995, and went up 2-0 over the Mets in 1999 before winning in six. SCORING EARLY: Freddie Freeman’s fourth-inning home run last night gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead, and the Braves have now scored first in each of their seven games this postseason. • The Braves went 24-6 (.800) when scoring first during the regular season, the best mark in the National League and second best in the majors (Tampa Bay, 25-6, .806). • Atlanta pitchers have thrown 67 innings this postseason and trailed in just five of them, with all five coming in Game 1 of the NLDS vs. Miami.
The Dodgers are looking to climb out of an 0-2 hole following last night’s 8-7 loss in Game 2. Los Angeles is playing in its fifth National League Championship Series in the past eight years and fourth in the past five seasons. The Dodgers and Braves have never met in a Postseason series with a World Series berth on the line, but have met three previous times, all in the NLDS (1996, 2013 and 2018). Los Angeles beat the Braves 3-1 in both the 2013 and 2018 NLDS. Atlanta swept the Dodgers in the 1996 NLDS. The Dodgers have come back from 0-2 deficits four times in their postseason history: 1955 World Series vs. NYY (best of seven), won series 4-3 1965 World Series vs. MIN (best of seven), won series 4-3 1981 NLDS vs. HOU (best of five), won series 3-2 1981 World Series vs. NYY (best of seven), won series 4-2 To reach the NLCS, the Dodgers swept the Padres, 3-0, and the Braves swept the Marlins, 3-0. The Braves have not lost a Postseason game in 2020. Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was introduced to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have appeared in the LCS 14 times, which is tied with the Cardinals for the most in the National League. The Dodgers and Braves (11) are two of seven franchises that have appeared in the LCS 10+ times. SEAGER STRONG: Dodger shortstop Corey Seager went 2-for-4 with a walk, three-run homer and four RBI last night to raise his 2020 Postseason average to .308 (8-for-26). His 1.060 OPS ranks ninth among all playoff performers with at least 20 AB. Earlier today, it was announced that Seager was one of seven National League finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, given to the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each league. POSTSEASON POWER: Dodger infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández earned the start in Game 1 Monday night and delivered a solo homer in the fifth inning, his first of the 2020 Postseason and his seventh since 2017, which is tied with Justin Turner and Max Muncy for the most by a Dodger over the last four years. Muncy hit his seventh Postseason homer last night and this trio is inching closer to the top of the Dodger Postseason list, which is led by Duke Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10), Hernández (7), Joc Pederson (7), Adrían González and Muncy (7). EIGHT’S NOT ENOUGH: The Dodgers went 43-17 in the 60- game season to win their record eighth straight NL West title with the best record in the Majors. The club’s .717 winning percentage was the best in franchise history and marked the seventh time in club history that the Dodgers posted the Majors’ best mark (last: 2017). Los Angeles has topped the National League in wins in three of the last four seasons (2017, ’19, ’20) and seven times in the divisional era (since 1969, 23rd time overall). The Dodgers won a division title for the eighth straight year, something only two other franchises have accomplished: MLB All-Time – Most Consecutive Division Titles Braves, 1991-2005 14 Yankees, 1998-2006 9 Dodgers, 2013-2020 8 (active streak) Source: Stats, LLC The Dodgers reached the World Series in each of their six previous seasons with the best record in the Majors: Dodgers Finishing w/MLB’s Best Record, All-time 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers (tied) 97-57 (.630) Lost WS (4-1 NYY) 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers 96-57 (.627) Lost WS (4-3 NYY) 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 105-49 (.682) Lost WS (4-2 NYY) 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers 98-55 (.641) Won WS (4-3 vs NYY) 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 102-60 (.630) Lost WS (4-1 Oak) 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers 104-58 (.642) Lost WS (4-3 Hou)
NEW YORK, Oct. 14 – Players selected José Abreu, Shane Bieber and Freddie Freeman as finalists for Major League Baseball’s Player of the Year and Nelson Cruz, Jason Heyward and Adam Wainwright as nominees for Marvin Miller Man of the Year in voting for the 2020 Players Choice Awards.
The Players Choice Awards are held in high regard by players because the winners are selected in balloting among their peers. In addition to the Marvin Miller Man of the Year and Player of the Year award winners, who represent both leagues, players in the American and National Leagues choose their outstanding players, pitchers, rookies and comeback players.
All told, the 2020 Players Choice Award winners will designate charities to receive grants totaling $55,000 from the Major League Baseball Players Trust. Since 1992, the Players Trust has recognized the outstanding on-and off-field performances of Players Choice Awards recipients by contributing more than $5 million to charities around the world.
In balloting for the Marvin Miller Award, players are asked to vote for the player they “most respect based on his leadership on the field and in the community.” Curtis Granderson, who retired after the 2019 season, won the award four times. Other recent honorees include Anthony Rizzo (2017), Adam Jones (2015), Clayton Kershaw (2014) and Mariano Rivera (2013).
The award is dedicated to Marvin Miller, who served as the Major League Baseball Players Association’s first full-time executive director, from 1966 through 1982, and guided its emergence as one of the country’s strongest and most cohesive labor unions.
Below are all the finalists:
Outstanding Player Award
National League players: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Juan Soto
American League players: José Abreu, DJ LeMahieu and Mike Trout
Outstanding Pitcher Award
National League players: Trevor Bauer, Yu Darvish and Jacob deGrom
American League players: Shane Bieber, Gerrit Cole and Lance Lynn
Outstanding Rookie Award
National League players: Alec Bohm, Jake Cronenworth and Devin Williams
American League player: James Karinchak, Kyle Lewis and Luis Robert
Comeback Player Award
National League players: Daniel Bard, Adam Duvall and Wil Myers
American League players: Carlos Carrasco, Salvador Perez and José Ramírez
The Marvin Miller Award winner receives a $10,000 grant, while the recipients of the nine other awards receive grants of $5,000.
Through their collective charity, players pool resources to support efforts that provide hope, sustainability and lasting change around the world. Players direct grants to the wide range of causes they support – from disaster relief to health and human services to promoting the growth of baseball in the United States and abroad.
Players Choice Awards voting among all players was conducted in mid-September. Winners will be announced Oct. 22.
For more information on the 2020 Players Choice Awards, be sure to visit the link here.
ABOUT THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS TRUST
Major Leaguers contribute their time, money and celebrity to call attention to important causes. Each year the Players Trust distributes more than $1 million in annual grants and programs. For additional information, please visit www.PlayersTrust.org. Follow the Trust on Twitter (@MLBPlayersTrust) and Instagram (@mlbplayerstrust).
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