Cnotes Major League Baseball Playoffs Rated Games - Trends - News - Etc !!

2015 MLB Playoffs: NLDS, ALDS, Wild Card schedule, TV listings, odds


Now the series-by-series essentials ...


American League Wild Card Game


Who: Astros vs. Yankees
Where: New York
When: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 8:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN


National League Wild Card Game


Who: Cubs vs. Pirates
Where: Pittsburgh
When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 8:00 pm ET
TV: TBS


American League Division Series


Who: Rangers vs. Blue Jays
Where: Games 1, 2, 5 in Toronto; Games 3, 4 in Texas
When: See below
TV: See below


American League Division Series


Who: AL Wild Card winner vs. Royals
Where: Games 1, 2, 5 in Kansas City; Games 3, 4 in Houston/New York
When: See below
TV: See below


National League Division Series


Who: Mets vs. Dodgers
Where: Games 1, 2, 5 in Los Angeles; Games 3, 4 in New York
When: See below
TV: See below


National League Division Series


Who: NL Wild Card winner vs. Cardinals
Where: Games 1, 2, 5 in St. Louis; Games 3, 4 in Chicago/Pittsburgh
When: See below


TV: See below


Thursday, Oct. 8 ALDS Game 1: AL Wild Card winner at Royals


ALDS Game 1: Rangers at Blue Jays FOX, FS1 or MLBN


FOX, FS1 or MLBN


Friday, Oct. 9 ALDS Game 2: AL Wild Card winner at Royals


ALDS Game 2: Rangers at Blue Jays


NLDS Game 1: NL Wild Card winner at Cardinals


NLDS Game 1: Mets at Dodgers FOX, FS1 or MLBN
FOX, FS1 or MLBN
TBS
TBS


Saturday, Oct. 10 NLDS Game 2: NL Wild Card winner at Cardinals


NLDS Game 2: Mets at Dodgers TBS
TBS


Sunday, Oct. 11 ALDS Game 3: Royals at AL Wild Card winner


ALDS Game 3: Blue Jays at Rangers FOX, FS1 or MLBN
FOX, FS1 or MLBN


Monday, Oct. 12 *ALDS Game 4: Royals at AL Wild Card winner
*ALDS Game 4: Blue Jays at Rangers


NLDS Game 3: Cardinals at NL Wild Card winner


NLDS Game 3: Dodgers at Mets FOX, FS1 or MLBN
FOX, FS1 or MLBN
TBS
TBS


Tuesday, Oct. 13 *NLDS Game 4: Cardinals at NL Wild Card winner
*NLDS Game 4: Dodgers at Mets TBS
TBS


Wednesday, Oct. 14 *ALDS Game 5: AL Wild Card winner at Royals
*ALDS Game 5: Rangers at Blue Jays FOX, FS1 or MLBN
FOX, FS1 or MLBN


Thursday, Oct. 15 *NLDS Game 5: NL Wild Card winner at Cardinals
*NLDS Game 5: Mets at Dodgers TBS
TBS
*If necessary; LDS times TBD


As for the the next round, the ALCS begins on Friday, Oct. 16, and the NLCS on Saturday, Oct. 17. Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27.


Speaking of the World Series, here, as of Sunday morning, Oct. 4, are the odds of winning the World Series that the the SportsLine Projection Model gave to each of the 10 playoff teams ...


Royals: 22.2 percent
Cardinals: 16.7 percent
Blue Jays, Dodgers: 14.3 percent
Mets: 11.1 percent
Yankees: 10.0 percent
Astros, Pirates: 7.7 percent
Cubs: 6.7 percent
Rangers: 3.2 percent


And there you have it. Soon enough, we shall light this candle.

Mets set playoff rotation for NLDS


October 4, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) The Mets have set their pitching rotation for the first three games of their best-of-five NL playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Jacob deGrom will start the opener Friday in Los Angeles, as expected. Rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard goes in Game 2, followed by Matt Harvey in Game 3 back home at Citi Field.


After that, it's uncertain who would get the ball if Game 4 is necessary. New York would like to start unbeaten rookie Steven Matz, provided his balky back is healthy enough, and 42-year-old Bartolo Colon remains a possibility. But manager Terry Collins said Sunday the Mets might use a three-man rotation if they fall behind 2-1 in the Division Series.


That would mean bringing back deGrom in Game 4 on three days' rest for the first time in his two-year career. Syndergaard would be on full rest for a potential Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.

Girardi speaks out against late games


October 4, 2015


BALTIMORE (AP) Yankees manager Joe Girardi has a problem with Major League Baseball scheduling Sunday's regular-season finales for the late afternoon.


Several teams faced elimination, and New York needed a win over Baltimore on Sunday to earn home-field advantage in Tuesday's wild-card game.


It was cloudy at Camden Yards at 3:05 p.m., but late-afternoon games often make it difficult for batters to see pitches.


Girardi said, ''Here's the thing that bothers me: If it's a sunny day you're playing in shadows.''


He added, ''If it's the most important game of the year to get in, I don't think that's right.''


Understanding the idea is for every team to play at the same time, Girardi said, ''Then play all night games.''


Girardi confirmed that Masahiro Tanaka will start Tuesday for New York.

Mets set playoff rotation for initial 3 games vs Dodgers


October 4, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) The Mets have set their pitching rotation for the first three games of their best-of-five NL playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Jacob deGrom will start the opener Friday in Los Angeles, as expected. Rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard goes in Game 2, followed by Matt Harvey in Game 3 back home at Citi Field.


''Because of the rest, because of all the stuff we've done to protect these guys, we're in a situation now where it's, turn `em loose,'' manager Terry Collins said Sunday.


After that, it's uncertain who would get the ball if Game 4 is necessary. New York would like to start unbeaten rookie Steven Matz - provided his balky back is healthy enough - and 42-year-old Bartolo Colon (14-13) remains a possibility. Collins, however, said the Mets might use a three-man rotation if they fall behind 2-1 in the Division Series.


That would mean bringing back deGrom in Game 4 on three days' rest for the first time in his two-year career. Syndergaard would be on full rest for a potential Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.


''I've never done it before but I'm willing. Anything to help us win,'' deGrom said after striking out seven in a scoreless tuneup that lasted four innings Sunday against Washington. ''I think I'll be ready on short rest. Normally when I throw my bullpen I feel pretty good and that's on three days, so I think I'd be ready on four days.''


Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA) will start only once in the series because he and the Mets are concerned about his workload in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has thrown 189 1-3 innings.


''Matt fit Game 3 perfectly,'' Collins said, calling it a pivotal game in the series.


There was some thought the team might prefer to pitch Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA) at Citi Field because his numbers are better at home. But the Mets squandered a chance to earn home-field advantage in the series by losing five straight games last week, and Syndergaard has pitched well on the road of late.


He had a strong start at Dodger Stadium on July 3, allowing one run and two hits over six innings.


Matz (4-0), who hasn't pitched since Sept. 24, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday. If that goes well, the left-hander would be slated to throw about 90-95 pitches in the instructional league Thursday in Florida, according to Collins.


''It'll all be determined on how he comes out of tomorrow and Tuesday. So we're prepared for him to be ready or him not to be ready,'' Collins said.

A capsule look at the Astros-Yankees playoff game


October 5, 2015


A look at the American League wild-card game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees:




---


Schedule: Tuesday, at New York, 8:08 p.m. EDT (ESPN).


---


Season Series: Astros won 4-3.


---


Projected Lineups:


Astros: 2B Jose Altuve (.313, 15, 66, 40 2Bs, 38 SBs, 200 hits), RF George Springer (.276, 16, 41, 16 SBs), SS Carlos Correa (.279, 22, 68, 22 2Bs), DH Evan Gattis (.246, 27, 88, 11 3Bs), LF Colby Rasmus (.238, 25, 61, 23 2Bs), CF Carlos Gomez (.255, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs, 29 2Bs, 17 SBs with Brewers and Astros) or Jake Marisnick (.236, 9, 36, 24 SBs), 3B Jed Lowrie (.222, 9, 30), 1B Chris Carter (.199, 24, 64), C Jason Castro (.211, 11, 31).


Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury(.257, 7, 33, 21 SBs), LF Chris Young (.252, 14, 42, .327 avg. against lefties), RF Carlos Beltran (.276, 19, 67), DH Alex Rodriguez (.250, 33, 86, 83 runs, .356 OBP), C Brian McCann (.232, 26, 94), 3B Chase Headley (.259, 11, 62, 23 errors), 1B Greg Bird (.261, 11, 31 in 157 ABs), SS Didi Gregorius (.265, 9, 56), 2B Rob Refsnyder (.302, 2, 5 in 43 at-bats).


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Starting Pitchers:


Astros: LH Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA, 216 Ks).


Yankees: RH Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51, 139 Ks in in 154 innings, 25 HRs allowed).


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Relievers:


Astros: RH Luke Gregerson (7-3, 3.10, 31/36 saves), RH Chad Qualls (3-4, 4.04, 4 saves), LH Tony Sipp (3-4, 1.99, 62 Ks in 54 1-3 innings), RH Will Harris (5-5, 1.90, 2 saves), LH Oliver Perez (2-4, 4.28 with Arizona and Houston) RH Vince Velasquez (1-1, 4.37), RH Josh Fields (4-1, 3.55).


Yankees: LH Andrew Miller (3-2, 2.04, 36/38, 100 Ks in 61 2-3 innings), RH Dellin Betances (6-4, 1.50, 9/13, 131 Ks in 84 innings), RH Andrew Bailey (0-1, 8.31, 10 games; missed all last season after shoulder surgery); LH Chasen Shreve (6-2, 3.09), LP Justin Wilson (5-0, 3.10, 74 games), RP Adam Warren (7-7, 3.29, 43 appearances - 17 starts), LH CC Sabathia (6-10, 4.73 in 29 starts), RH Luis Severino (5-3, 2.89, 11 starts).


---


Matchups:


The Astros won two of three in New York, including a 15-1 rout on Aug. 25. ... Keuchel got two wins over the Yankees this season and didn't allow a run in either game. The first one was a six-hitter on June 25. He allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings in the 15-1 victory. He struck out 21 combined in those two starts. ... The Astros hit eight homers against the Yankees this season, led by three from Gattis. ... Houston teed off on Tanaka in its one matchup against the Japanese star, scoring six runs in five innings of a 9-6 loss at Minute Maid Park. Carter, Correa and Altuve all homered in the game. ... The Yankees were 9 for 48 (.188) with one extra base hit - a double - against Keuchel this year. ... Young should push All-Star Brett Gardner to the bench because he is 6 for 20 (.300) with two doubles and a triple off Keuchel. ... Young batted .327 (50 for 153) with a .397 on-base percentage against lefties this season, boosted by an early tear. ... Switch-hitting Beltran, a former Astros postseason star, is 4 for 9 (.444) with a homer vs. Keuchel. ... The Yankees were 7-5 with a .253 batting average with 14 homers and 45 RBIs against starting pitchers they were facing for a third time this season, STATS said. They will be facing Keuchel for a third time. New York hit .251 overall this season.


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Big Picture:


Astros: Houston (86-76) made the playoffs for the first time since reaching the World Series in 2005, getting in as the second wild card on the last day of the season. ... The Astros made a 16-game improvement from last year's 70-92 season that came after three straight 100-loss seasons. ... Houston led the AL West for most of the season before late-season struggles allowed the Rangers to take the division title. ... The Astros finished second in the majors with 230 home runs. ... Keuchel is expected to pitch on three days' rest for the first time after winning his 20th game on Friday night. He was the AL's only 20-game winner and the first Houston pitcher to reach the mark since Roy Oswalt in 2005. ... Houston's pitching staff posted an AL-best 3.57 ERA. ... The Astros struggled on the road, going 33-48. ... Correa, the top overall pick in the 2012 draft, set a franchise record for home runs for a rookie with 22 despite not being called up until June 8. His 22 home runs were the most by an AL rookie and led all AL shortstops. ... Carter, who lost his starting job late in the season, returned to the lineup in mid-September and got hot, batting .326 with an .837 slugging percentage and six homers and 12 RBIs in his last 15 games.


Yankees: In the playoffs for first time in three years, using a combination of veterans and young players to exceed expectations in the first season of the post-Derek Jeter era. ... New York (87-75) had a seven-game lead in the AL East on July 28 but went 30-33 down the stretch and was overtaken by Toronto. ... The Yankees lost six of seven to end the season, going 11 for 68 (.161) with runners in scoring position. ... Rodriguez was a surprise catalyst for the Yankees' offensive revival early in his return from a yearlong drug suspension but has slowed in the last two months. ... Bird has filled in nicely for Mark Teixeira, who was having a stellar comeback season before breaking his leg in mid-August. ... Gregorius has played stellar defense as Jeter's replacement at shortstop. ... The 21-year-old Severino would be on his normal throw day so he could provide a one- or two-inning bridge to Betances. ... The bullpen set a record for strikeouts by relievers in a season with 593. ... With Stephen Drew sidelined by dizziness, Refsnyder has made eight starts since Sept. 24, hitting .393 (11 for 28) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs.


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Watch For:


- Aggressive baserunning. The Astros topped the AL with 121 stolen bases, led by Altuve's 38, which also led the AL. Marisnick, who often comes in as a pinch runner when not in the starting lineup, is second on the team with 24. But sometimes their approach on the basepaths doesn't pay off. Altuve also leads the AL by being caught stealing 13 times and Marisnick is tied for third with nine.


- Top of the order. During the first half of the season Ellsbury, Gardner and A-Rod carried the offense, along with Teixeira, who is out for the season. Gardner made the All-Star team and Rodriguez was one of the biggest stories in baseball. But Ellsbury has slumped to a .220 average with five homers and 23 RBIs since the July break. Gardner has been even worse, hitting .206 with six homers and 24 RBIs. The 40-year-old Rodriguez slugged his way into the No. 3 spot in the order. However, he's only connected once in his last 18 games and has hit .186 with nine homers since Aug. 7, when his swoon began.

Aces wild: Playoffs open with Astros-Yankees, Cubs-Pirates


October 4, 2015


Dallas Keuchel started the All-Star game, won 20 times and twice dominated the New York Yankees.


Now, the Houston Astros need him to pitch the game of his life - while starting on three days' rest for the first time in his career.


All of the Major League Baseball playoff matchups were set Sunday on a final day of the regular season mostly devoid of drama. The Texas Rangers helped locked in the pairings by routing the Los Angeles Angels to win the AL West.


The real intrigue begins Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. That's when the postseason opens with Keuchel and the Astros taking on New York ace Masahiro Tanaka in the AL wild-card game.


On Wednesday night, 22-game winner Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs - still trying for their first World Series championship since 1908 - visit 19-game winner Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL wild-card matchup.


''We're going to the `Burgh,'' first-year manager Joe Maddon said after the Cubs beat Milwaukee 3-1 for their eighth straight win.


Arrieta went 3-1 with an 0.75 ERA in five starts against the Pirates this year. Cole was 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA in four tries vs. the Cubs.


Pittsburgh topped Cincinnati 4-0, ensuring it will host the Cubs.


''We love playing at home,'' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after his team finished 53-28 at PNC Park. ''Our guys love pitching at home. There's opportunity for it to be a really good ballgame. I know our fans will show up and it will be loud and it will be proud.''


First-year Astros manager A.J. Hinch felt the same way about his players, especially after the team averaged 104 losses in the previous four seasons.


Following a 5-3 defeat in Arizona, he took a puff from a victory cigar and, standing in puddles of beer and champagne, praised his players for what they'd accomplished.


To go even farther, Houston is counting on Keuchel being able to compensate for short rest. The lefty won both of his starts against the Yankees this year, throwing 16 scoreless innings while striking out 21.


The Astros-Yankees winner will play at Kansas City in the best-of-five Division Series on Thursday. The same day, Texas visits AL East champion Toronto.


The NL Division Series begins Friday with the New York Mets at the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cubs-Pirates winner at St. Louis.


At Dodger Stadium, LA will have Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke rested and ready. Along with Arrieta, they're the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award.


Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA) tuned up Sunday by fanning seven against San Diego, giving him 301 strikeouts. The three-time Cy Young winner became the first pitcher in the majors to reach 300 since 2002, when Arizona teammates Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling did it.


''It's definitely a cool thing,'' Kershaw said. ''Obviously not the most important thing in the world. If my pitch count got there and I didn't have 300, I would have come out. Being fresh for the playoffs is more important than 300 strikeouts.''


Kershaw is trying overcome a 1-5 career postseason record with a 5.12 ERA.


Greinke posted a majors-best 1.66 while going 19-3 and striking out 200.


DeGrom and the Mets' bullpen took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning Sunday, and the NL East champions wrapped up the regular season with a 1-0 win over Washington.


''I just think it's a great way to finish,'' manager Terry Collins said. ''I think we're ready.''

LEADING OFF: Skippers in peril, plus Astros and Yanks prep


October 4, 2015


A look at what's happening around the major leagues Monday:


BLACK MONDAY


The day after the season is often dicey for managers on the hot seat. Last year, the Twins fired longtime skipper Ron Gardenhire less 24 hours after their final game. The Padres moved quickly Sunday, announcing that interim manager Pat Murphy won't lead the club next year. Washington manager Matt Williams could be in trouble, too, after a team that was a World Series favorite didn't even make it to the playoffs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said a decision about Williams' future will come soon, adding they're ''not going to let people twist in the wind.''


LOOSEN UP


The Astros and Yankees work out at Yankee Stadium, a day before they open the playoffs with the AL wild-card game. Houston ace Dallas Keuchel is expected to talk about starting on three days' rest for the first time in his career. Keuchel and his teammates took two of three in the Bronx in late August.


CATCHING UP


The Cardinals are expecting to get Yadier Molina back in the playoffs after the star catcher suffered a slightly torn ligament in his left thumb on Sept. 20 and sat out the rest of the regular season. Molina met with a hand specialist last week and was scheduled to be re-evaluated this week, but all indications from St. Louis are that he'll be ready to go when the Cards open the NL division series at home Friday against either the Cubs or Pirates. The seven-time reigning NL Gold Glove Award winner hit .270 with four homers this season.


LIMPING IN


Other training staffs are keeping busy this week, too. The Mets are hoping lefty Steven Matz (back) pitches without discomfort in a bullpen Tuesday, while Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (cracked scapula, upper back bruises) should be ready to go after playing two of the final three games of the season. Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (right knee) was rested down the stretch but should be ready to go, while the Astros had to sit outfielder Carlos Gomez (sore ribs) in their final three games. The Cardinals have concerns beyond Molina, with outfielder Stephen Piscotty returning Sunday for the first time since sustaining a concussion six days prior and ace Adam Wainwright only coming back to action last week after an Achilles tendon injury kept him out most of the season.

Roster decisions loom for Cardinals in NLDS


ATLANTA -- The St. Louis Cardinals are starting to get injured players back in time for the playoffs, which makes for some interesting roster decisions.


The National League Central Division champions are expected to carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players when the NL Division Series begins on Friday in St. Louis. The decision on which players to carry has been made more difficult by the returns of key contributors.


The Cardinals substituted liberally in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader and started almost all reserves in the second game.


"I think we got the guys tuned up that we wanted to get tuned up," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Got the feel if the game and that's what we were hoping for."


First baseman Matt Adams returned to the lineup Thursday. He had been out 91 games following surgery on his right quad muscle.


Outfielder Matt Holliday has also been working through a quad injury. He played on Sunday. Holliday could start in left field and be lifted for late-inning defense.


The center field spot is in question because of Randal Grichuk's ongoing arm issues. Grichuck was moved to right field because of the fear that he could not make a strong throw from deep in the park. If he can't play center field, the Cardinals may tap Jason Heyward, who played eight games there this season and whose arm strength is beyond question.


Another question is the health of outfielder Stephen Piscotty, who was cleared to play Sunday after sustaining a head injury in an outfield collision on Sept. 28 against the Pirates. Piscotty took batting practice Friday.


As far as the pitching staff, there is speculation that John Lackey will start the first game of the playoffs against either the Cubs or Pirates. Matheny would only say that Lackey is one of four pitchers under consideration, along with Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia. Carlos Martinez, who made 29 starts, was shut down for the season after seven pitches in his last start because of shoulder stiffness.


The question is whether Adam Wainwright will be a part of the playoff roster. The veteran was activated from the disabled list Friday after he missed 141 games with a left Achilles tendon injury and has made two scoreless appearances.

Rangers manager on ALDS: 'I'll take these guys'


ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers pushed all the right moves at the trade deadline with the acquisition of left-hander Cole Hamels and getting the key bullpen pieces.


Now, the Rangers have to figure out how to construct their roster for the American League Division Series against Toronto. It's likely the Rangers will likely start left-hander Derek Holland in Game 1 Thursday in Toronto and come back with Sunday starter Cole Hamels in Game 2.


General manager Jon Daniels said the club will figure things out over the next couple of days.


"We're let the guys have some fun today and then we'll try and circle around and get back tomorrow," Daniels said. "We've already done some back-of-the-napkin kind of stuff, but we've got to get some things lined up here."


The Rangers could send some of their relievers to the instructional league in Surprise, Ariz., to keep them sharp for the series. Reliever Tanner Scheppers, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 28, said he's going to Arizona to pitch.


Texas was just 2-4 against Toronto this season but will open the playoffs having won 15 of the final 23 games it's played.


"I'll take these guys," Texas manager Jeff Banister said of his team's postseason chances against Toronto.

Cubs must play wild-card game on road


MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Cubs did their part, sweeping a three-game series from the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend at Miller Park. But it wasn't enough to keep them from opening the postseason on the road.


The Pittsburgh Pirates began the day with a one-game lead over Chicago in the National League wild-card race and after knocking off the Reds 4-0 the Pirates earned home field advantage for the NL wild-card playoff game, set for Wednesday night.


"We'd love to do this in front of our fans," said first baseman Anthony Rizzo, whose first-inning, two-run single proved the difference Sunday. "But now we just have to get back there somehow. We play well at PNC. I personally like playing there. We just have to go out and play. They are going to be loud there, but we'll be ready."


Chicago won the season series with Pittsburgh, taking 11 of the 19 meetings.


"Look at our record," manager Joe Maddon said. "I think one game separates our home and road record this year. I mean it sincerely. It doesn't matter except for your fans. You'd like to play in front of your fans. That would be the separator for me."


The Cubs are feeling confident with right-hander Jake Arrieta slated to start. He pitched himself into consideration for the NL Cy Young Award with an incredible season, going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA.


He was flat-out dominant, though, in the second half, gong 12-1 with a 0.75 ERA and allowed just four earned runs over his final 12 starts, posting an 11-0 record during that stretch.


Even with Arrieta on the mound, the Cubs' offense will have their work cut out for them against Pirates starter Gerrit Cole, who went 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA during the regular season and 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts against Chicago.


"He's a competitor," said Rizzo, who is 6-for-17 with a double and three strikeouts in 17 career games against Cole. "He throws hard. He has good stuff. We have to go up there like it is any other right-hander and stay within yourself and not try to do too much."

Nationals fire Matt Williams and staff


October 5, 2015


WASHINGTON (AP) Manager Matt Williams was fired by the Washington Nationals on Monday after a season in which the team went from World Series favorite to failing to make the playoffs.


The club announced the move a day after finishing the regular season barely above .500 at 83-79, second to the New York Mets in the NL East.


Williams is gone after only two seasons in his first job as a skipper in the majors. Last year, he was voted NL Manager of the Year after the Nationals finished with the best record in the league. In February, the Nationals exercised his 2016 contract option.


But he presided over a 2015 season filled with defeats, discord and the embarrassing spectacle of a dugout dustup between NL MVP front-runner Bryce Harper and teammate Jonathan Papelbon during a game the day after the team was eliminated from playoff contention.


Williams said he had no idea of the extent of the skirmish until much later in the day. Even though he was, of course, in the dugout at the time, Williams said he hadn't been aware of exactly what happened - including that Papelbon grabbed Harper by the throat. None of his players or coaches told him about it right away, and he said he hadn't asked to know more.


The Nationals also said Monday they will not renew the contracts of the seven members of Williams' staff: bench coach Randy Knorr, pitching coach Steve McCatty, hitting coach Rick Schu, third base coach Bobby Henley, first base coach Tony Tarasco, bullpen coach Matt LeCroy, and defensive coordinator Mark Weidemaier.


General manager Mike Rizzo said before Sunday's season finale against the Mets that the Nationals were ''not going to let people twist in the wind'' - and, true to his word, the house-cleaning began quickly.


Before the season began, no one was shy about predicting big things for Washington - not even the Nationals themselves, from Harper's ''Where's my ring?'' line in reference to the free-agent signing of pitcher Max Scherzer to Williams' clubhouse posting: ''The road to the World Series begins today.''


But the team fell apart in the second half of the season.


Williams' string of open-to-second-guessing bullpen choices didn't begin in 2015 - they were front-and-center during Washington's NL Division Series loss to the San Francisco Giants last season.


Williams also had to deal with a long list of injuries, including to half of the everyday lineup for long stretches: Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Denard Span. The ideal lineup was available for only two games all season.


The departure of Williams and his staff begins an offseason of significant change for a team that won division titles in 2012 and 2014 but could not win a playoff series.


At least 20 percent of the roster is pretty much guaranteed to be gone. Two homegrown building blocks, right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and shortstop Ian Desmond, are expected to leave via free agency, along with leadoff hitter Span and right-hander Doug Fister. Drew Storen is expected to be traded after losing the closer's job to Papelbon, then faltering badly.


''It's got a chance to be drastically different next year,'' Werth said, ''so that's tough.''

Kershaw aims at redemption, stars to debut


October 5, 2015


The Major League Baseball playoffs begin this week, starting Tuesday night with the American League wild-card game at Yankee Stadium.


Big stars Andrew McCutchen, Prince Fielder and Zack Greinke, familiar faces David Wright, Johnny Cueto and Adam Wainwright and top rookies such as Kris Bryant fill the rosters of the 10 teams that reached the postseason.


A look at some of the themes going into October and beyond:


CURSED KERSHAW?:


Clayton Kershaw has been the game's best pitcher in recent years during the regular season, but has struggled mightily in the postseason. The Dodgers ace is 1-5 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 career playoff appearances (three in relief), including four mostly miserable starts against the Cardinals over the last two Octobers. The three-time Cy Young winner won't have to worry about St. Louis until the NL Championship Series, if at all, and instead turns his attention this week to an NL Division Series showdown versus the Mets, against whom he posted an 0.56 ERA in two starts this season.


FIRST-TIMERS:


Jose Bautista is a home run champion, Jose Altuve is a hit machine and Jake Arrieta is the top winner in the majors. They'll put something else on their resumes this week, too - their first postseason appearances. Altuve and Astros rookie teammate Carlos Correa, Arrieta and Cubs sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Bryant, young Mets aces Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, Yankees star Masahiro Tanaka and Dodgers newcomer Corey Seager are set to make their playoff debuts.


FRIENDLY CONFINES:


Could this be the year the century-plus title drought ends on the North Side of Chicago? When the Cubs last won the World Series in 1908, Roosevelt was president - Theodore Roosevelt. They haven't even reached the World Series since 1945, two years before baseball's championship was televised for the first time. But with Bryant and Arrieta, hopes are high at Wrigley Field, the quaint ballpark that moved into the 21st century this year with a renovation that included - gasp! - a 3,990-square foot video board above the left-field bleachers and a smaller one in right. With the Series extending into November, the Cubs hope fans everywhere will be watching as the ivy along the outfield walls turns red and brown.


A-ROD IS BACK:


Written off by many last year during his one-season drug suspension, Alex Rodriguez returned this year and carried the Yankees' lineup early. Shifted from third base to designated hitter, he hit .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs. He passed Willie Mays for fourth on the career home run list, reached 3,000 hits and settled a dispute with the team over a multimillion marketing payment. But around the time of his 40th birthday in late July, he went into a slump and tailed off badly. A-Rod hit .216 after the All-Star break and drove in just three runs in his final 18 games.


DH NEEDED:


Runs will be at a premium in the National League, which featured a deep Cy Young Award field of pitchers mostly on contending teams. The Cubs' Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA) will face the Pirates' Gerrit Cole (19-8, 2.60) in the wild-card game, one of the most anticipated pitching matchups in recent postseason history. After that, the Mets will take on the Dodgers in a series that features deGrom (14-8, 2.54), Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24) and Harvey (13-8, 2.71) for New York and Kershaw (16-7, 2.13, 301 strikeouts) and Greinke (19-3, 1.66) for L.A. Meanwhile, the Cardinals had four pitchers make at least 20 starts this year with ERA's of 3.03 or lower, although one of them, Carlos Martinez, will miss the postseason with a strained right shoulder.

Resurgent Castro helps playoff-bound Cubs


October 5, 2015


CHICAGO (AP) The music starts and fans clap in unison as Starlin Castro walks to the plate. Teammates in the Chicago Cubs' dugout get into it, and the same goes for everyone in the bullpen.


''It's awesome,'' Castro said. ''It's the most fun thing that we've got all year. The fans have been crazy when that song (plays), get up. I feel really appreciated even if they don't understand what (the song) says. But they still like it.''


Wrigley Field is rocking these days with the Cubs headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. And Castro's at-bats have become a big event.


It's quite a turn considering many fans wanted to see him get traded. But as soon as they hear the song ''Ando En La Versace'' by Omega blasting through the ballpark, they go crazy.


It's catchy tune, with a fast-paced beat. And Castro is rocking and rolling along these days.


So are the Cubs, with 97 wins and headed to a wild-card game at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.


Benched in early August after struggling most of the season, the three-time All-Star is on quite a tear.


He raised his average about 30 points over the past month and a half to .265. And while his future with the Cubs remains unclear because of the emergence of rookie Addison Russell and the presence of another young infielder in Javier Baez, the 25-year-old Castro came up big down the stretch.


''Everybody's got the same goal here and the goal is to win,'' he said. ''That's the most important thing. Keep working hard, trust myself. I never put my head down. I just kept focused. When they give you the chance, try to take every opportunity.''


Castro has been a lightning rod over the years with fans because of mental lapses in the field. But he has been at his best the past two months - and that goes beyond his performance during games.


He made the most of what could have been an awkward situation, when manager Joe Maddon had Russell move from second base to replace Castro as the everyday shortstop as part of a lineup shuffle.


Maddon was concerned that a 25-year-old with nearly 1,000 hits would check out mentally, that the Cubs would lose him emotionally for the rest of the season. It could have been a dicey situation.


Castro regrouped rather than sulked and came on in a big way at the plate while adjusting to playing second.


''He doesn't make excuses,'' Maddon said. ''This kid doesn't make excuses. He's accountable to everything. How can you not like him?''


Russell called Castro ''an upfront guy'' who accepted the switch.


''He's been a great teammate,'' Russell said. ''He's been supportive. He cheers everyone on. He's a great ballplayer, a great person.''


It probably does not hurt that Castro is playing on a winning team for the first time since he arrived in the majors in 2010.


''I think he's really having fun winning,'' general manager Jed Hoyer said. ''He hasn't been on a winning team and he's having a blast playing. I think that he really put the team before himself and handled the move to second really well. Obviously, he's swinging the bat and playing with a ton of confidence. I can't say enough about the way he's handled his situation.''


Castro was batting .236 through Aug. 6, playing subpar defense and looking lost at the plate, before the Cubs made the move.


He did not play again until Aug. 11 and did not return to the lineup until Aug. 14, when he started at second.


But Castro ended the regular season on a tear, with a .372 average, six homers and 23 RBIs in his last 36 games. It included a six RBI outburst against St. Louis on Sept. 18 that tied a career-high he set in his major league debut in 2010 along with a four-hit game Wednesday against Cincinnati that matched a personal-best.


Castro did make some adjustments, closing his stance and trying to go the other way. He also said talking to his family helped break him out of his funk.


''To see the way he started out the season and to see the way he's been growing so far, I'm proud of him,'' veteran Miguel Montero said. ''I'm very proud of him because he's an All-Star caliber player. He's a three-time All-Star. He's only 25 years old. Nothing that he does with the bat (surprises) me because I know what he's capable of doing. His attitude, his preparation has been great.''


And his walk-up music isn't bad, either.

Sabathia to check into alcohol rehab


October 5, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is checking into an alcohol rehabilitation center and will miss the postseason.


The team issued a statement from the pitcher Monday, a day before New York plays Houston in the AL wild-card game. Sabathia, the 2007 AL Young Award winner, said he took the step to receive the care he needs and become the kind of person ''I can be proud of.''


''I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series,'' he said. ''It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.''


Sabathia was 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA this year, slowed by his surgically repaired right knee. After returning from the disabled list and using a tighter brace, the portly 35-year-old left-hander was 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA in five starts and got the win against Boston that week that clinched the Yankees' return to the postseason following a rare two-year absence,


''As difficult as this decision is to share publicly, I don't want to run and hide,'' Sabathia said. ''Being an adult means being accountable. Being a baseball player means that others look up to you. I want my kids - and others who may have become fans of mine over the years - to know that I am not too big of a man to ask for help. I want to hold my head up high, have a full heart and be the type of person again that I can be proud of. And that's exactly what I am going to do.''


His move is another blow to the Yankees' pitching staff, slowed in September by Masahiro Tanaka's hamstring injury and ineffective outings by Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova.


Sabathia, who helped New York win the 2009 World Series during his first season in the Bronx, is signed through next season. His deal includes a 2017 club option that would become guaranteed if his left shoulder doesn't get hurt.


''I am looking forward to being out on the field with my team next season playing the game that brings me so much happiness,'' Sabathia said.

LEADING OFF: Skippers in peril, plus Astros and Yanks prep


October 5, 2015


A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:


BLACK MONDAY


The day after the season is often dicey for managers on the hot seat. Last year, the Twins fired longtime skipper Ron Gardenhire less 24 hours after their final game. The Padres moved quickly Sunday, announcing that interim manager Pat Murphy won't lead the club next year. Washington manager Matt Williams could be in trouble, too, after a team that was a World Series favorite didn't even make it to the playoffs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said a decision about Williams' future will come soon, adding they're ''not going to let people twist in the wind.''


LOOSEN UP


The Astros and Yankees work out at Yankee Stadium, a day before they open the playoffs with the AL wild-card game. Houston ace Dallas Keuchel is expected to talk about starting on three days' rest for the first time in his career. Keuchel and his teammates took two of three in the Bronx in late August.


CATCHING UP


The Cardinals are expecting to get Yadier Molina back in the playoffs after the star catcher suffered a slightly torn ligament in his left thumb on Sept. 20 and sat out the rest of the regular season. Molina met with a hand specialist last week and was scheduled to be re-evaluated this week, but all indications from St. Louis are that he'll be ready to go when the Cards open the NL division series at home Friday against either the Cubs or Pirates. The seven-time reigning NL Gold Glove Award winner hit .270 with four homers this season.


LIMPING IN


Other training staffs are keeping busy this week, too. The Mets are hoping lefty Steven Matz (back) pitches without discomfort in a bullpen Tuesday, while Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (cracked scapula, upper back bruises) should be ready to go after playing two of the final three games of the season. Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (right knee) was rested down the stretch but should be ready to go, while the Astros had to sit outfielder Carlos Gomez (sore ribs) in their final three games. The Cardinals have concerns beyond Molina, with outfielder Stephen Piscotty returning Sunday for the first time since sustaining a concussion six days prior and ace Adam Wainwright only coming back to action last week after an Achilles tendon injury kept him out most of the season.

Tuesday's Playoff Action


October 5, 2015




HOUSTON ASTROS (86-76) at NEW YORK YANKEES (87-75)


First pitch: Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -110, New York -110, Total: 7.0


The Astros and Yankees will be vying for a spot in the Division Series with a win in New York in the Wild Card Game on Tuesday.


Both the Astros and the Yankees made things very difficult on themselves, sneaking into the Wild Card Game after really struggling down the stretch. Houston lost its final game of the series and could have blown its chances of playing in this game if the Angels were able to defeat the Rangers in game 162. The Yankees, meanwhile, ended the season with three straight losses and have also lost seven of their past 10 games.


Both teams will be bringing out their aces in this win or go home matchup, as LHP Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA, 216 K) of the Astros will be going up against RHP Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51 ERA, 139 K) of the Yankees. Houston will be feeling extremely confident with Keuchel on the mound, as the team is 21-7 against the money line when Keuchel starts in a game with a total of 7 to 8.5 this season. New York, meanwhile, is 42-26 against the money line after two or more consecutive road games this season.


The Astros lineup will be at nearly full strength on Monday, as OF Carlos Gomez (Side) is questionable but expected to play. The Yankees will be without 1B Mark Teixeira (Shin) for the rest of the year, but are relatively healthy outside of that.


Dallas Keuchel comes into this playoff game after having allowed just four earned runs in his last 20.2 innings of work. The last time he pitched against the Yankees, the Astros won 15-1 in New York. He threw seven innings of shutout baseball in that game and racked up nine strikeouts in doing so. He’ll be looking to repeat that performance on Tuesday in order to get his team into the next round.


While Tanaka can be a dominant pitcher, a few members of this Astros team have found success against the pitcher. He is prone to making a mistake or two in each game and this Houston team will make him pay for that. SS Carlos Correa (.279, 22 HR, 68 RBI) enters the postseason after going 4-for-12 with four runs, a homer and four RBI in the final series of the year against the Diamondbacks. He is 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI against Tanaka in his career and will be looking to keep giving the starter trouble on Tuesday.


2B Jose Altuve (.313, 15 HR, 66 RBI) and 1B Chris Carter (.199, 24 HR, 64 RBI) have also hit homers off of Tanaka in their careers. They’ll both be looking to take advantage of the short porch in Yankee Stadium in this game.


One x-factor in this game could be OF Carlos Gomez (.255, 12 HR, 56 RBI), who has not played since Sep. 30 for the Astros. He is questionable for this one, but he is a dangerous hitter and is 2-for-2 with a double against Tanaka in his career. He’d provide a major spark if he were to be in the lineup for this game.


Masahiro Tanaka struggled the last time he took the mound this season, allowing four earned runs on five hits in just 5.0 innings of work. If the Yankees are going to advance to the next round then they will need their ace to deliver a near flawless performance, as he’ll be facing off against a pitcher that turns those in regularly. Tanaka has faced Houston just once this season and had a lot of trouble in that start, allowing six earned runs and three homers in just five innings of work. New York did, however, win that game 9-6. Another performance like that one will surely mean that the Yankees will be watching the rest of the playoffs at home, as he can not expect to get that type of run support in this one.


Offensively, OF Carlos Beltran (.276, 19 HR, 67 RBI) is somebody that has had success against Keuchel in the past. He is 4-for-9 with a homer and two RBI against him in his career and finished the season off with a 3-for-3 game against the Orioles on Sunday.


OF Jacoby Ellsbury (.257, 7 HR, 33 RBI) is somebody that will need to get back on his game. He went 0-for-8 in the final two games of the year and must get on base in this one.

World Series Matchups


October 4, 2015


The 10-team for the 2015 pro baseball postseason is all set and we have some new faces on the diamond this October.


Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.ag have updated their World Series Matchup Prop for all of the teams and who they might face if they were to win their respective pennants.


In the American League, Kansas City is the only team making a return trip to the playoffs. The Royals will meet the winner of Tuesday’s wild card game between the N.Y. Yankees and Houston.


The Astros haven’t been in the playoffs since 2005 when they were swept by the Chicago White Sox in four games. The Yankees are back in the postseason after missing the two previous seasons.


Toronto, the American League East winners, haven’t been in the postseason since 1993 when it won back-to-back World Series.


The Blue Jays will meet Texas in the ALDS on Thursday and the Rangers appear to be ready to roll under rookie manager Jeff Banister.


The National League has three teams returning to the postseason with Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the L.A. Dodgers.


The new faces are the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, two teams that have huge followings and would probably produce an incredible series if they squared off.


The Cubs will meet the Pirates in the wild card game on Wednesday and the winner heads to St. Louis. The Mets and Dodgers begin the 5-game series on Friday from Los Angeles.


According to the offshore betting shop, the Dodgers-Blue Jays matchup is the top betting choice at 13/2 odds (Bet $100 to win $650).


Looking for longshots? Then check out the wild card teams, especially the Cubs and Astros. They’ll have to win road games to stay alive and both have generous odds.


2015 World Series Matchup Odds according to Sportsbook.ag:


Cardinals vs. Astros 35/1
Cardinals vs. Blue Jays 9/1
Cardinals vs. Rangers 17/1
Cardinals vs. Royals 10/1
Cardinals vs. Yankees 30/1


Cubs vs. Astros 55/1
Cubs vs. Blue Jays 15/1
Cubs vs. Rangers 25/1
Cubs vs. Royals 17/1
Cubs vs. Yankees 50/1


Dodgers vs. Astros 25/1
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays 13/2
Dodgers vs. Rangers 12/1
Dodgers vs. Royals 7/1
Dodgers vs. Yankees 23/1


Mets vs. Astros 25/1
Mets vs. Blue Jays 7/1
Mets vs. Rangers 13/1
Mets vs. Royals 8/1
Mets vs. Yankees 25/1


Pirates vs. Astros 55/1
Pirates vs. Blue Jays 15/1
Pirates vs. Rangers 25/1
Pirates vs. Royals 17/1
Pirates vs. Yankees 50/1

LEADING OFF: Astros-Yanks ready to get wild; Cubs, Bucs wait


October 5, 2015


A look at what's happening around the major leagues Tuesday:


LET'S GET WILD


The Yankees and Astros open the postseason in New York with Masahiro Tanaka pitching against Houston ace Dallas Keuchel in the AL wild-card game. Tanaka has been slowed by a hamstring injury down the stretch, but before that he had emerged as the Yankees' most dependable starter. Keuchel, meanwhile, is a 20-game winner who has been among the AL's best pitchers all season. Of particular note with this game at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium: Keuchel gave up only 0.66 homers per nine innings this season, second-best among qualifying AL starters behind Minnesota's Mike Pelfrey.


ACES ON DECK


The Cubs and Pirates work out in Pittsburgh to prep for Wednesday night's NL wild-card game and one of the most anticipated postseason pitching matchups in the last few years. Chicago calls on Cy Young Award candidate Jake Arrieta, who won 22 games and was at his best down the stretch. He threw his first no-hitter on Aug. 30 before posting a 0.39 ERA in six September starts. Gerrit Cole goes for Pittsburgh, coming off career bests for wins (19), ERA (2.60) and strikeouts (202).


THUMBS UP


As they await the winner of Wednesday's NL wild-card game, the Cardinals hope star catcher Yadier Molina is close to 100 percent when the Division Series starts Friday. Molina has been out since Sept. 20 with a partially torn ligament in his left thumb and will try to play while wearing a splint to protect it. Backup catcher Tony Cruz has been playing in place of Molina and would be the fill-in if Molina's thumb sidelines him in the postseason.


NATIONAL SEARCH


The Nationals have begun their hunt for a new manager after firing Matt Williams on Monday a year after he won NL Manager of the Year. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo described his ideal candidate as someone with ''leadership qualities, knowledge of the game, X's and O's,'' as well as someone with experience. One notable managerial free agent who fits that description is Bud Black, fired by the Padres midway through this season despite a reputation as a quality bench boss.

Four managers prep for playoff debuts


October 6, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Late in the season, as manager Terry Collins and the New York Mets closed in on their NL East championship, one opponent after another made it a point to commend Collins at Citi Field.


''Real happy for T.C.,'' was the sentiment echoed by Atlanta skipper Fredi Gonzalez and others.


The popular Collins, at 66 the oldest manager in the majors and the consummate example of a baseball lifer, is about to make his playoff managerial debut. He's one of four bench bosses who reached the postseason for the first time this year - each the fulfillment of a unique journey.


''It means a lot to me,'' Collins said recently. ''We sat up here and we told our fan base and our media that it's going to get better and next year we're going to win. And then to be sitting today and say we told you, it means a lot. It does.''


Texas rookie Jeff Banister, Toronto retread John Gibbons and Houston whiz kid A.J. Hinch are the other managers making their initial October moves this month.


''I was able to exhale a little bit,'' Gibbons said about winning the AL East in his second stint as Blue Jays manager.


Toronto is a playoff team for the first time in 22 years. Josh Donaldson and Co. will host Banister and the Rangers on Thursday in the opener of their best-of-five Division Series.


''A lot of satisfaction,'' Gibbons said. ''Because I mean, really, it was a long time coming - but not just for me here. You look at the organization all those years and a lot of people have been around. I'm more happy for guys that have been around here forever that went through the lean years. I don't put a whole lot of focus on myself.''


Gibbons surely knows being a novice is no picnic in the playoffs, when every pressure-packed decision gets scrutinized by millions. Plenty of managers, from Casey Stengel and Grady Little to Matt Williams and Ned Yost just last year, have been widely criticized - even vilified - for fateful moves gone wrong.


This time of year, fans are not forgiving.


''The first thing you have to do is forget about the regular season,'' said Hall of Fame hockey coach Scotty Bowman, who chatted with Gibbons behind the batting cage Saturday before the Blue Jays faced Tampa Bay. ''The way you played in the season is probably not going to be good enough. You've got to be a little better.''


Bowman won a record nine Stanley Cups. Collins and the rest of this year's playoff neophytes are all looking for a first championship.


''I'm a baseball guy and I'm a baseball development guy,'' said Collins, who leads the Mets into their series against the NL West champion Dodgers beginning Friday night in Los Angeles. ''This summer, all I did was write the lineup and try to keep the clubhouse a fun place to be, and it worked out. So I was pretty happy the other day when we won that thing.''


Hinch gets the first crack at winning in the playoffs when his Astros play at Yankee Stadium in the AL wild-card game Tuesday night.


''Octobers usually come through New York - at least they have in my career,'' he said Monday.


Hinch was 34 and by far the youngest manager in the majors when the Stanford graduate took over the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009.


With no previous experience on the bench, his unsuccessful tenure didn't last long. But he's been a big hit this year in his first season piloting the young Astros.


''Very open door. Very much a player's manager. For us, that's great. We need a guy like that, that lets us play,'' Houston ace Dallas Keuchel said. ''Kind of a trial by fire, but he has our backs. That's what he's done all year.''


Collins could hardly be more opposite. He's managed in Japan and Venezuela, Vero Beach and Buffalo. He coached with Tampa Bay, scouted for the Chicago Cubs and spent more than a decade all told during separate stints in the Dodgers organization.


Along the way, the diminutive pepper pot developed a fiery reputation and seemingly crossed paths with almost everyone working in baseball these days.


He managed Triple-A Albuquerque to a 1987 minor league championship in the Pacific Coast League. But until now, his only chance to wear a big league uniform in the postseason came as mentor Jim Leyland's bullpen coach with the 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates.


Once he got his opportunity to manage in the majors, Collins finished in second place five times during the 1990s, his Astros and Angels teams squandering several late leads.


This time, the Mets made big moves to upgrade their muddling offense before the July 31 trade deadline. Given enough talent to win for the first time during his five-year tenure in New York, Collins guided the Mets expertly as they pulled away from heavily favored Washington in the NL East.


It was no simple task, either. New York often juggled its rotation down the stretch in an effort to protect its prized young pitchers - decisions that sometimes ran counter to his old-school instincts.


''He says things when he needs to, but he's definitely not on us all the time,'' Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson said. ''Lets us go ahead and learn from our bruises - all right, we fell down, we've got to find a way to pick ourselves back up.''


Ready for his first postseason, that's one move Collins has already perfected.

A capsule look at the Astros-Yankees playoff game


October 5, 2015


A look at the American League wild-card game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees:


Schedule: Tuesday, at New York, 8:08 p.m. EDT (ESPN).


---


Season Series: Astros won 4-3.


---


Projected Lineups:


Astros: 2B Jose Altuve (.313, 15, 66, 40 2Bs, 38 SBs, 200 hits), RF George Springer (.276, 16, 41, 16 SBs), SS Carlos Correa (.279, 22, 68, 22 2Bs), DH Evan Gattis (.246, 27, 88, 11 3Bs), LF Colby Rasmus (.238, 25, 61, 23 2Bs), CF Carlos Gomez (.255, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs, 29 2Bs, 17 SBs with Brewers and Astros) or Jake Marisnick (.236, 9, 36, 24 SBs), 3B Jed Lowrie (.222, 9, 30), 1B Chris Carter (.199, 24, 64), C Jason Castro (.211, 11, 31).


Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury(.257, 7, 33, 21 SBs), LF Chris Young (.252, 14, 42, .327 avg. against lefties), RF Carlos Beltran (.276, 19, 67), DH Alex Rodriguez (.250, 33, 86, 83 runs, .356 OBP), C Brian McCann (.232, 26, 94), 3B Chase Headley (.259, 11, 62, 23 errors), 1B Greg Bird (.261, 11, 31 in 157 ABs), SS Didi Gregorius (.265, 9, 56), 2B Rob Refsnyder (.302, 2, 5 in 43 at-bats).


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Starting Pitchers:


Astros: LH Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA, 216 Ks).


Yankees: RH Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51, 139 Ks in in 154 innings, 25 HRs allowed).


---


Relievers:


Astros: RH Luke Gregerson (7-3, 3.10, 31/36 saves), RH Chad Qualls (3-4, 4.04, 4 saves), LH Tony Sipp (3-4, 1.99, 62 Ks in 54 1-3 innings), RH Will Harris (5-5, 1.90, 2 saves), LH Oliver Perez (2-4, 4.28 with Arizona and Houston) RH Vince Velasquez (1-1, 4.37), RH Josh Fields (4-1, 3.55).


Yankees: LH Andrew Miller (3-2, 2.04, 36/38, 100 Ks in 61 2-3 innings), RH Dellin Betances (6-4, 1.50, 9/13, 131 Ks in 84 innings), RH Andrew Bailey (0-1, 8.31, 10 games; missed all last season after shoulder surgery); LH Chasen Shreve (6-2, 3.09), LP Justin Wilson (5-0, 3.10, 74 games), RP Adam Warren (7-7, 3.29, 43 appearances - 17 starts), RH Luis Severino (5-3, 2.89, 11 starts).


---


Matchups:


The Astros won two of three in New York, including a 15-1 rout on Aug. 25. ... Keuchel got two wins over the Yankees this season and didn't allow a run in either game. The first one was a six-hitter on June 25. He allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings in the 15-1 victory. He struck out 21 combined in those two starts. ... The Astros hit eight homers against the Yankees this season, led by three from Gattis. ... Houston teed off on Tanaka in its one matchup against the Japanese star, scoring six runs in five innings of a 9-6 loss at Minute Maid Park. Carter, Correa and Altuve all homered in the game. ... The Yankees were 9 for 48 (.188) with one extra base hit - a double - against Keuchel this year. ... Young should push All-Star Brett Gardner to the bench because he is 6 for 20 (.300) with two doubles and a triple off Keuchel. ... Young batted .327 (50 for 153) with a .397 on-base percentage against lefties this season, boosted by an early tear. ... Switch-hitting Beltran, a former Astros postseason star, is 4 for 9 (.444) with a homer vs. Keuchel. ... The Yankees were 7-5 with a .253 batting average with 14 homers and 45 RBIs against starting pitchers they were facing for a third time this season, STATS said. They will be facing Keuchel for a third time. New York hit .251 overall this season.


---


Big Picture:


Astros: Houston (86-76) made the playoffs for the first time since reaching the World Series in 2005, getting in as the second wild card on the last day of the season. ... The Astros made a 16-game improvement from last year's 70-92 season that came after three straight 100-loss seasons. ... Houston led the AL West for most of the season before late-season struggles allowed the Rangers to take the division title. ... The Astros finished second in the majors with 230 home runs. ... Keuchel is expected to pitch on three days' rest for the first time after winning his 20th game on Friday night. He was the AL's only 20-game winner and the first Houston pitcher to reach the mark since Roy Oswalt in 2005. ... Houston's pitching staff posted an AL-best 3.57 ERA. ... The Astros struggled on the road, going 33-48. ... Correa, the top overall pick in the 2012 draft, set a franchise record for home runs for a rookie with 22 despite not being called up until June 8. His 22 home runs were the most by an AL rookie and led all AL shortstops. ... Carter, who lost his starting job late in the season, returned to the lineup in mid-September and got hot, batting .326 with an .837 slugging percentage and six homers and 12 RBIs in his last 15 games.


Yankees: In the playoffs for first time in three years, using a combination of veterans and young players to exceed expectations in the first season of the post-Derek Jeter era. ... New York (87-75) had a seven-game lead in the AL East on July 28 but went 30-33 down the stretch and was overtaken by Toronto. ... The Yankees lost six of seven to end the season, going 11 for 68 (.161) with runners in scoring position. ... Rodriguez was a surprise catalyst for the Yankees' offensive revival early in his return from a yearlong drug suspension but has slowed in the last two months. ... Bird has filled in nicely for Mark Teixeira, who was having a stellar comeback season before breaking his leg in mid-August. ... Gregorius has played stellar defense as Jeter's replacement at shortstop. ... The 21-year-old Severino would be on his normal throw day so he could provide a one- or two-inning bridge to Betances. ... The bullpen set a record for strikeouts by relievers in a season with 593. ... With Stephen Drew sidelined by dizziness, Refsnyder has made eight starts since Sept. 24, hitting .393 (11 for 28) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs.


---


Watch For:


- Aggressive baserunning. The Astros topped the AL with 121 stolen bases, led by Altuve's 38, which also led the AL. Marisnick, who often comes in as a pinch runner when not in the starting lineup, is second on the team with 24. But sometimes their approach on the basepaths doesn't pay off. Altuve also leads the AL by being caught stealing 13 times and Marisnick is tied for third with nine.


- Top of the order. During the first half of the season Ellsbury, Gardner and A-Rod carried the offense, along with Teixeira, who is out for the season. Gardner made the All-Star team and Rodriguez was one of the biggest stories in baseball. But Ellsbury has slumped to a .220 average with five homers and 23 RBIs since the July break. Gardner has been even worse, hitting .206 with six homers and 24 RBIs. The 40-year-old Rodriguez slugged his way into the No. 3 spot in the order. However, he's only connected once in his last 18 games and has hit .186 with nine homers since Aug. 7, when his swoon began.