CRAIG KIMBREL

After winning 111 games in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared on their way to fulfilling manager Dave Roberts' spring prediction of another World Series victory.

"The expectation is that Craig is gonna come in and take the ninth," Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said at the time. Six months and 111 team wins later, the Dodgers embarked on their 10th straight postseason run without Kimbrel on the division series roster. Rather, “it hasn't been a consistent year for him,” as manager Dave Roberts said before Game 1 against the San Diego Padres. When it comes to the ninth, or the eighth, or the seventh, the Dodgers have options and they’re not afraid to use them. As for what that looked like in Game 1 against the Padres, “I loved it,” Roberts said.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Trea Turner homered and doubled as the Los Angeles Dodgers started fast and held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Tuesday night in their NL Division Series opener. Behind 17-game winner Julio Urías, the Dodgers raced to an early 5-0 lead and appeared to be on their way to another blowout of the Padres. In the first, Turner hit a 419-foot shot into the left-field pavilion for his second career postseason homer and first as a Dodger. Two batters later, Will Smith doubled and scored on Max Muncy’s two-out single for a 2-0 lead. Turner doubled leading off and after Freddie Freeman flied out, Smith stepped in and doubled to deep left-center, nearly the same spot where Turner’s ball landed.

Trea Turner homered and doubled as the Los Angeles Dodgers started fast and held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 in their NL Division Series opener.

Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies can put the defending World Series champion Braves on the brink of elimination. The National League Division Series pitting Phillies vs. Braves and Padres vs. Dodgers are set for their second games Wednesday, while the American League clubs get a day off. Castellanos carried a big load with his bat in a 7-6 Game 1 victory Tuesday over Atlanta. If Kershaw and the Dodgers win a second World Series in three years, it may be without eight-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen. NO JOSHINGYankees slugger Josh Donaldson is catching heat from fans even after a satisfying Game 1 win in New York.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has been left off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster for their National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres. Kimbrel was 6-7 with 22 saves in his first season in Los Angeles, where fans booed him at times. The 34-year-old Kimbrel is an eight-time All-Star who leads active pitchers in saves with 394 — three more than Jansen. But the Dodgers have plenty of depth in their bullpen and included 13 pitchers on their roster, with Dustin May and Blake Treinen among them. There were no surprises among the 13 position players named to the Dodgers' roster.

Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has been left off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster for their National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres.

William Contreras drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth, and the Atlanta Braves clinched their fifth consecutive NL East title by defeating the Miami Marlins 2-1.

Clayton Kershaw pitched seven dominant innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West for the ninth time in 10 seasons, blanking the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel is taking the mound to the song “Let It Go,” known to millions as the big hit from the movie “Frozen.” Since Kimbrel's wife, Ashley, suggested the tune, the 34-year-old right-hander hasn't given up a hit in his last six games as the song blares from Dodger Stadium's speakers.

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Joey Gallo blasted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the second inning, Max Muncy added a pair of solo shots and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 6-3 on Tuesday night. Muncy, who came in hitting .186, went 3 for 4 and drove in three runs. Muncy doubled leading off the second and Justin Turner walked before Gallo's 408-foot shot to the right-field pavilion off Jarlin García (1-4) put the Dodgers ahead, 3-1. The Dodgers extended their lead to 5-1 on Muncy's two-out, two-run homer to the right-field pavilion on the first pitch from García in the third. Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (7-3, 2.59) has a 1.99 ERA and 380 strikeouts in 55 career starts against the Giants.

Joey Gallo blasted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the second inning and Max Muncy added a pair of solo shots in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-3 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Freddie Freeman drove in the go-ahead run with a grounder in the top of the 10th inning, Chris Martin escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 3-2.

Padres Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel congratulate each other after the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 in a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets mostly ceded the spotlight at the trade deadline. Los Angeles wasn't all that active, The Dodgers took Joey Gallo off the Yankees' hands but otherwise seemed content to lie low. Los Angeles has won eight in a row and 30 of its last 35. And Los Angeles has gone on this extended run without Walker Buehler, who hasn't pitched since June 10.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets mostly ceded the spotlight at the trade deadline.

Dodgers Giants Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Julio Urias pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Julio Urias won his eighth consecutive decision and Miguel Vargas drove in two runs in his major league debut as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Wednesday night. San Francisco threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with one out against Craig Kimbrel. He’s 0-1 in two starts against San Francisco this season and hasn’t made it through five innings in either one. Giants RHP Jakob Junis (4-2, 2.78) will make his fourth appearance (third start) since returning from a left hamstring strain.

Julio Urias won his eighth consecutive decision and Miguel Vargas drove in two runs in his major league debut as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0.

Tony Gonsolin pitched seven strong innings for his 11th victory in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Jake Cronenworth lined a single off closer Craig Kimbrel's back that sparked a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep. San Diego had lost 14 of 15 to the Dodgers since sweeping them last June. The Padres had only one runner get beyond second base in the first eight innings before breaking through for all their runs in the ninth. ROSTER MOVEThe Padres called up RHP Tayler Scott from Triple-A El Paso to help shore up the bullpen. Dodgers: LHP Julio Urias (5-2, 2.94 ERA) gets the start on Monday as Los Angeles opens a three-game set against Colorado.

Jake Cronenworth lined a single off closer Craig Kimbrel’s back that sparked a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 to avoid a four-game sweep.

Angels Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Tony Gonsolin tossed 6 1/3 strong innings, Mookie Betts hit his 17th home run and the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 in their Freeway Series opener Tuesday night. The Dodgers had Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman on the field; the Angels had Ohtani and Trout. Ohtani had the Angels' first hit, a single in the fourth that extended his hitting streak to nine games. Dodgers: LHP Tyler Anderson (7-0, 3.07) is 0-3 in four career starts against the Angels with a 13.83 ERA.

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Mets Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Tony Gonsolin pitched two-hit ball over six sharp innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Mets 2-0 on Thursday night, snapping New York’s six-game winning streak in the opener of a four-game series between the National League’s top two teams. Gonsolin (6-0) struck out five and walked one in his first career start against the Mets. The high-powered Mets managed just one hit after Gonsolin exited — a single by Jeff McNeil in the seventh. Dodgers: LHP Tyler Anderson (6-0, 2.90) has tossed 20 scoreless innings since allowing two runs in the first against Arizona.

Tony Gonsolin pitched two-hit ball over six sharp innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 2-0.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Chris Taylor had an early two-run single, Julio Urías pitched six scoreless innings of four-hit ball, and the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their annual rivalry series against the San Francisco Giants with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night. Hanser Alberto doubled and scored in the eighth inning for Los Angeles, which won for the third time in four games despite a hair-raising ninth. Los Angeles then edged San Francisco in a thrilling five-game Division Series, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts could tell his team was drained by that effort before its NLCS loss to Atlanta. Los Angeles added a run in the eighth when Alberto doubled, advanced on Mookie Betts' single and scored on José Álvarez's wild pitch. UP NEXTRoberts declined to reveal his starter for Wednesday's game before the series opener, admitting to a little gamesmanship.

Dylan Cease remained unbeaten in 10 career starts against Detroit and Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run homer that led the Chicago White Sox over the Tigers 5-2.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Freddie Freeman reached base three times and scored a run in his Dodgers debut, helping Walker Buehler and Los Angeles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 Friday in a season opener. He was then hit by a pitch, walked and lined a sharp single before taking a called third strike in the eighth. With or without Freeman and Bryant, this remains clear: The Dodgers have dominated the series. But I’m excited to get going and get this next chapter of my career going.” — Freeman on making his Dodgers debut. UP NEXTThe Dodgers will throw right-hander Tony Gonsolin on Saturday, while the Rockies counter with All-Star righty Germán Márquez.

Freddie Freeman reached base three times and scored a run in his Dodgers debut, helping Walker Buehler and Los Angeles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 in a season opener.

Mets deGrom Baseball FILE - New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom smiles after the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 29, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File) (Corey Sipkin)SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — (AP) — The New York Mets will be without one of the sport's most dominant pitchers to start the season. Jacob deGrom will miss significant time because of inflammation in his shoulder area, a huge blow to a team that heavily invested in making a deep run this season. The Mets said an MRI earlier in the day showed a stress reaction on his scapula that caused inflammation. We are dealing with a bone issue and when you are dealing with bone, they calcify.

With opening day less than a week away, every team in Major League Baseball is hoping to finish spring training without any significant injuries.

Good morning, Chicago. Here are some of the top stories you need to know to start your day.

Right-hander Trevor Bauer, third baseman Nolan Arenado, outfielder Charlie Blackmon and infielder-outfielder Jurickson Profar declined to opt out of their contracts to become free agents. Bauer agreed to a $102 million, three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February and began 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts. Elsewhere, the New York Mets announced Saturday they have extended $18.4 million qualifying offers to outfielder Michael Conforto and pitcher Noah Syndergaard — a day ahead of Sunday's deadline.

Carlos Correa hit a two-run double during Houston’s five-run seventh inning, and the Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 for a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

Yasmani Grandal homered twice and drove in eight runs in his return from the injured list, and the Chicago White Sox beat the sloppy Chicago Cubs 17-13.

Michael Hermosillo homered for the first time since 2018 and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1.

Joey Gallo hit a two-run shot in the 10th inning for his second homer of the game, and the New York Yankees outlasted the Chicago White Sox 7-5 in another back-and-forth thriller.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a grand slam and Alex Jackson added a three-run homer as the Miami Marlins tied a team record by scoring 11 times in the second inning during a 14-10 win over the Chicago Cubs.

White Sox Cubs Baseball Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn follows through during the first inning of a baseball game against the against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Chicago. The White Sox came away with the win after losing nine of 14. Andrew Vaughn and Seby Zavala gave the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the fourth with RBI singles against Kyle Hendricks. The home run was his first with the White Sox after hitting 18 with the Indians. White Sox: The White Sox reinstated INF/OF Jake Lamb (strained right quadriceps) from the 10-day IL and optioned RHP Matt Foster to Triple-A Charlotte.

Brian Goodwin led off the 10th inning with a two-run homer, and the Chicago White Sox regrouped after Craig Kimbrel blew a three-run lead against his former team to beat the rebuilding crosstown Cubs 8-6 at Wrigley Field.

Batting ninth, Zavala hit a solo homer in the third off Triston McKenzie. Engel hit a two-run homer and José Abreu added an RBI single to pull the White Sox within one in the eighth. Miller and Hedges hit back-to-back drives in the fifth to cut the White Sox lead to 6-3. Now let’s do it in white,” Kimbrel said he told the manager. The White Sox added Kimbrel despite already having All-Star closer Liam Hendriks.

White Sox rookie Seby Zavala hit the first three home runs of his career, including a grand slam, but the Cleveland Indians rallied to beat Chicago 12-11.

Joey Votto has homered in seven straight games and the Cincinnati Reds slugger can match a major league record Saturday night by going deep against the New York Mets.

Now this truly was an All-Star trade deadline day.

The New York Mets have acquired flashy shortstop Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams from the Chicago Cubs for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Cubs Cardinals Baseball Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz) (Joe Puetz)CHICAGO — (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs on Friday, a move that should give the AL Central leaders a fearsome bullpen for their playoff push. The White Sox already had one of baseball's best closers in All-Star Liam Hendriks. The White Sox paid quite a price to get him: They sent second baseman Nick Madrigal, a budding star who is out for the season with a torn right hamstring, to the Cubs along with right-handed reliever Codi Heuer. The White Sox had already addressed the loss of Madrigal by acquiring slugging second baseman Cesar Hernandez from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

The Chicago White Sox have acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the crosstown Cubs.

Zach Davies and three Cubs relievers combined for the seventh no-hitter in the majors this year — matching the most in a season since 1900 — as Chicago blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado hits a two-run single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, June 11, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO — (AP) — Joc Pederson homered and drove in three runs, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras went deep and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 on Friday. Wrigley Field allowed 100% capacity for the first time since 2019 on what the Cubs called "Opening Day 2.0:. Pederson gave the Cubs a 7-5 lead in the seventh with a two-run double off the wall in right-center against Génesis Cabrera (1-2). Rizzo tied it at 5-all in the sixth with his drive to right against Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Joc Pederson homered and drove in three runs, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras went deep and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 on Friday afternoon.

Patrick Wisdom hit his third homer in two games, Willson Contreras also went deep and the surging Chicago Cubs beat San Diego 4-3 after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. left with an injury.

Reds Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' David Bote looks at the left field bleachers where his home run landed off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 28, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO — (AP) — David Bote homered, Adbert Alzolay wriggled out of several jams while pitching into the sixth inning and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 on Friday. TRAINER'S ROOMReds: LHP Miley had his return from the IL pushed back a day because of cold symptoms and will start Monday against Philadelphia, manager David Bell said. Manager David Ross wasn't sure if they will go on a rehab assignment before returning from the injured list. “We'd like to get them some at-bats if we can, but we're also very short-handed up and down the roster," manager David Ross said.

David Bote homered, Adbert Alzolay wriggled out of several jams while pitching into the sixth inning and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0.

Harold Castro hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning off Craig Kimbrel to give the Detroit Tigers a 9-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Willson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.

TWINS 1, ORIOLES 0 (7 INNINGS)Minnesota ace Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four in his second start. Baltimore's Dean Kremer fared better in his second start, allowing a hit and a walk in three scoreless innings. Deivi García pitched three shutout innings in his second start for the Yankees. Nick Pivetta made his second start for Boston, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings. Alex Wood worked two innings in the start for San Francisco and gave up a home run to Omar Narvaez.

The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year is off to a strong start this spring on both sides. PHILLIES 3, PIRATES 0Bryce Harper homered on his first swing of spring training, launching a opposite-field drive to left. Chad Kuhl made his second start for Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on three hits. Brad Keller worked three innings in the start for the Royals and allowed a run on four hits and two walks. BRAVES 4, TWINS 0 (7)Kyle Wright fared much better in his second start for Atlanta, allowing one hit in three shutout innings with two strikeouts.

Down 8-1 in the seventh inning, the Reds cut it to 8-5 on Joey Vottos two-run single. Miley hit Kris Bryant with his second pitch, walked Rizzo, and gave up Wilson Contreras' double. Rizzo hit a solo homer in the sixth off Tejay Antone. Jesse Winker got the Reds' first hit an inning later, an RBI single off Rowan Wick. TRAINER'S ROOMCubs: Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras and Albert Almora Jr. were hit by pitches Rizzo twice but stayed in the game.