KENLEY JANSEN

With a possible lockout on the horizon, it’s been mostly business as usual on the free agent market — so far.

Chris Taylor hit three homers and drove in six runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Atlanta 11-2, cutting the Braves' lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series.

The 25-year-old lefty excelled as a starter and reliever in the postseason last year, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series championship since 1988. On Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox used Nathan Eovaldi in relief for the first time since 2019. SWATTING STARTERSKyle Schwarber, Xander Bogaerts and the slugging Red Sox are making short work of opposing starting pitchers this postseason. Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan did the best against the Red Sox, going five innings in the opener of the AL Division Series. Chris Sale starts for the Red Sox after allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings in Game 1.

In a postseason already marked by curious pitching strategy, Julio Urías returns to his regular role in the rotation when the Los Angeles Dodgers play Atlanta in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.

ALCS Astros Red Sox Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke is taken out of the game against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning in Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) (Winslow Townson)A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:___SWATTING STARTERSKyle Schwarber, Xander Bogaerts and the slugging Red Sox are making short work of opposing starting pitchers this postseason. Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan did the best, going five innings in the opener of the AL Division Series. Going into Game 4 of the AL Championship Series, it wasn't certain who the Red Sox would face next — Astros manger Dusty Baker hadn't announced a starter. Red Sox manager Alex Cora rebuked Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez for tapping a wrist with a six-run lead Monday night, mimicking the Game 1 celebration by Houston's Carlos Correa.

ALCS Astros Red Sox Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke is taken out of the game against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning in Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) (Winslow Townson)A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:___SWATTING STARTERSKyle Schwarber, Xander Bogaerts and the slugging Red Sox are making short work of opposing starting pitchers this postseason. Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan did the best, going five innings in the opener of the AL Division Series. Going into Game 4 of the AL Championship Series, it wasn't certain who the Red Sox would face next — Astros manger Dusty Baker hadn't announced a starter. Red Sox manager Alex Cora rebuked Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez for tapping a wrist with a six-run lead Monday night, mimicking the Game 1 celebration by Houston's Carlos Correa.

For the second straight season, the Atlanta Braves had a 2-0 lead on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.

Cody Bellinger hit a tying, three-run homer and Mookie Betts then lined an RBI double as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied in the eighth inning, beating Atlanta 6-5 and cutting the Braves’ lead in the NL Championship Series to 2-1.

The Braves won with a walk-off hit for the second night in a row when Eddie Rosario lined a two-out single off shortstop Corey Seager’s glove, giving Atlanta a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Evan Longoria homered off Max Scherzer in the fifth inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 on a blustery night to take a 2-1 lead in their NL Division Series.

Two septuagenarians will be on the bench when 77-year-old Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa and the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros and 72-year-old skipper Dusty Baker in their playoff opener Thursday.

Chris Taylor hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in a scintillating NL wild-card game.

Two missing Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers earn nearly as much as the entire Tampa Bay Rays’ major league roster heading into the playoffs.

Trea Turner hit a grand slam and solo home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers extended the NL West race for at least another day, rallying past the Milwaukee Brewers 8-6 after starter Clayton Kershaw got hurt.

Corey Seager hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, when the Los Angeles Dodgers went deep four times to rally past the San Diego Padres 11-9.

Max Scherzer pitched seven shutout innings in another dominant performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who kept up their push in the NL West with a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched a postseason berth by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4 for their fifth straight win.

Houston Astros right-hander Zack Greinke makes his first start Tuesday night since testing positive for COVID-19 last month.

Scherzer retired his first 22 batters before Eric Hosmer doubled to deep right with one out in the eighth. The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw an immaculate inning in the second with three strikeouts on nine pitches. In a big blow, San Diego starter Blake Snell left after 11 pitches with a left adductor injury. Corey Seager and Mookie Betts hit solo homers, and Justin Turner added a three-run blast in the seventh to back Scherzer (14-4). Adams then nearly hit Trea Turner, who went down in a heap, drawing prolonged boos from the crowd.

Max Scherzer got his 3,000th career strikeout and took a perfect game into the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 8-0 to complete a three-game sweep.

Padres Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (7) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Julio Urías pitched seven shutout innings for his major league-leading 17th victory, Max Muncy slugged a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-0 on Friday night to snap a two-game skid. Urías (17-3) scattered three hits, struck out seven and walked one to remain unbeaten in his last 13 starts, going 8-0 in that stretch. But Wil Myers struck out swinging to end the threat. Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (13-3, 2.31) is unbeaten in eight career starts against the Padres, going 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA.

Julio Urías pitched seven shutout innings for his major league-leading 17th victory, Max Muncy slugged a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-0 to snap a two-game skid.

Corey Seager hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in a matchup of playoff contenders.

Chris Taylor broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run double and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Max Scherzer struck out 10 in his Dodgers debut and got plenty of offensive support as Los Angeles hit four home runs to defeat the Houston Astros 7-5, capping a contentious two-game series at Dodger Stadium.

Lance McCullers Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and the Houston Astros withstood the raucous, heckling fans at Dodger Stadium to blank Los Angeles 3-0.

Los Angeles Dodgers fans waited a long time to let José Altuve and the Houston Astros know just how they felt about possibly being cheated out of a 2017 World Series championship.

Buster Posey scored the tiebreaking run on a throwing error by first baseman Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1.

San Francisco took three of four in a tense series between the longtime rivals. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts threw his cap and argued vehemently, leading to him being ejected in the ninth inning for the second consecutive night. Wade then hit a sinking liner to right field that dropped just in front of newly acquired Billy McKinney, giving San Francisco a 5-3 advantage. The teams have a three-game series beginning Tuesday in San Francisco before playing their final series of the season Sept. 3-5. Dodgers: RHPs Corey Knebel (right lat strain) and Jimmy Nelson (back) both pitched an inning during a simulated game.

LaMonte Wade Jr. broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run single and the San Francisco Giants rallied against closer Kenley Jansen again for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Wilmer Flores hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2.

Dodgers Diamondbacks Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Albert Pujols (55) celebrates with Justin Turner after hitting a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances as Los Angeles won its sixth in a row. Arizona is approaching the longest losing streak of the wild card era, 19 games by the Kansas City Royals in 2005. Arizona is on the longest losing streak in team history and has lost 30 of 32 overall and 40 of 45. Los Angeles played in front of a crowd of 31,661 that featured many loud Dodgers fans.

Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games for using illegal foreign substances to doctor baseballs in a crackdown by Major League Baseball that will start June 21. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (Mark J. Terrill)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:STUCK UPMajor League Baseball begins its crackdown against pitchers using sticky substances when umpires start making regular, random mound checks. “I think I’m in the same boat as everyone else, just waiting for this to play out,” he said. Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games if caught using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Kansas City lost 19 straight in 2005, the longest drought since baseball began having wild-card playoff teams in 1995.

Major League Baseball will begin its crackdown against pitchers using sticky substances, with umpires making regular, random mound checks starting on Monday.

Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer and passed Mel Ott for 14th on the career runs list, and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended the Arizona Diamondbacks’ losing streak to 17 games with a 9-8 victory.

Giants left fielder Mike Tauchman remarkably reached over the wall to rob Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and San Francisco broke through in the 10th to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 in a thriller.

Will Smith hit a tiebreaking, solo home run in the seventh inning, Albert Pujols slugged a two-run shot, his first for the Dodgers, and Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2.

Diamondbacks Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Albert Pujols bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday, May 17, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Albert Pujols delivered an RBI single in his Dodgers debut, and Walker Buehler pitched seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball in Los Angeles' 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. Pujols got his 3,254th hit and his 2,113th RBI — the second-most in major league history since it became an official stat. Gavin Lux added an RBI single in the eighth. Eduardo Escobar had an RBI single in the eighth for Arizona, which opened a four-game series at Chavez Ravine with its fifth loss in six games.

Albert Pujols delivered an RBI single in his Dodgers debut, and Walker Buehler pitched seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball in Los Angeles’ 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Corey Seager’s two-run single in the sixth inning provided the go-ahead runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame another two-homer night by Fernando Tatis Jr. to defeat the San Diego Padres 5-4.

Julio Urías threw seven dominant innings of one-hit ball, striking out a career-high 11 and leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Clayton Kershaw struck out eight in seven smooth innings to send the Athletics to their worst start in more than a century, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat winless Oakland 5-1 for their fifth straight victory.

Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and is leaving spring training camp to be examined by a specialist, manager Dave Martinez said Friday, March 19, 2021. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via AP)Washington Nationals reliever Will Harris has a blood clot in his right arm and the team doesn't expect him to be in the bullpen on opening day. Carlos Martínez struggled in his fourth start for St. Louis. DODGERS 7, RANGERS 2Julio Urías made his fourth start for Los Angeles, allowing two hits in four shutout innings, striking out three. Adrian Houser made his fourth start.

Bieber bounced back with a pair of strikeouts, but Nick Heath hit a single to put the Royals up 3-0. DODGERS 10, ROCKIES 0 (6 INNINGS)Trevor Bauer, pitching for the first time since signing a $102 million, three-year contract, debuted in Dodger blue with two scoreless innings. Jameson Taillon followed with a scoreless inning. CUBS 1, PADRES 0 (7)Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struck out two in two scoreless innings. BREWERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 1 (8)Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta each threw a scoreless inning for Milwaukee before Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Los Angeles Angels acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Noé Ramirez and a player to be named or cash Monday in the first trade of the week of baseball's winter meetings. Iglesias has been the Reds' closer for the past four seasons, racking up 100 saves in 114 opportunities over that stretch with a career 3.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. The trade allows the Reds to save money while putting a cornerstone in the Angels’ bullpen, which is being rebuilt by rookie general manager Perry Minasian this offseason. One week after acquiring veteran shortstop José Iglesias from Baltimore, Minasian added one of the most effective closers of the last half-decade. “We want to play meaningful games at the end of the season,” Minasian said.

“I think a lot of credit goes to what he’s been able to do in this World Series for us.”Kershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershaw’s formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. “Kersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what we’ve been able to do in this World Series,” Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Díaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarena’s single. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.

It was undoubtedly one of the wildest endings in World Series history. But a finish this wacky has only a few precedents in World Series history. It was the only time a World Series ended with a caught stealing. Because with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Bevens was somehow still pitching a no-hitter and holding a 2-1 lead. 2016 WORLD SERIES GAME 7, CHICAGO CUBS AT CLEVELAND INDIANSBefore the Cubs could end their 108-year title drought, they had to wait out a 17-minute rain delay.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen pacts after their loss against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Kenley Jansen threw a cutter inside to Brett Phillips for a ball, then a cutter and a sinker for called strikes. One strike to go, and the Los Angeles Dodgers would be one win from the World Series title that has eluded them since 1988. After all, Phillips hadn't even been on the Rays' AL Championship Series roster, had not gotten a hit since Sept. 25. Jansen threw a cutter to the left-handed batter, over the middle and knee high.

Rays defeated the Dodgers 8-7 to tie the series 2-2 games. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. None of those three won the World Series. Center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the hit, chased after the ball and threw toward the plate as Arozarena rounded third. Down in the dirt, Arozarena kept pounding the plate as the Rays rushed out to celebrate with him.

during the == inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Rays defeated the Dodgers 8-7 to tie the series 2-2 games. Those homers came during a frantic stretch when the teams combined to score in eight consecutive half-innings, a first in World Series history. It was the sixth consecutive World Series game for the Rays that their starter didn't finish at least five innings. His drive to straightaway center was his 12th career postseason homer, breaking a tie with Hall of Fame center fielder Duke Snider for the most in franchise history.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – Walker Buehler pitched in the World Series like the Los Angeles Dodgers' aces of old. Buehler struck out 10 over six innings in a pulsating performance, and Los Angeles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Friday night for a 2-1 World Series lead. He became just the second player to drive in runs with both a homer and a sacrifice bunt in the same Series game. Steely-eyed like Hershiser, who won MVP honors of the 1988 Series, Buehler has supplanted Kershaw as the Dodgers’ ace. He has allowed one run in 13 Series innings that include seven scoreless in Game 3 against Boston two years ago.

The left-hander finished that series with three perfect innings, the last two protecting a 4-3 lead in Game 7 and sending LA to the World Series against Tampa Bay. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches out of the bullpen in Game 1 of the World Series. “I’m going to throw until they take the ball out of my hands,” Yarbrough said. That’s how you win a World Series,” said Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, who was part of the Red Sox when they beat Los Angeles in the World Series two years ago. Turner's 75th career postseason hit was a double that set up Max Muncy's two-run single in the third.

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___BULLPEN SAVEDThe Dodgers were so good in Game 1 of the World Series, they helped themselves for Game 2. Top relievers Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol should all be fresh for a bullpen game against Tampa Bay after they weren't needed in an 8-3 win Tuesday. Jansen has more blown saves (three) than conversions (two) in two previous World Series and also struggled this fall, but he seemed to have himself righted by the end of the NLCS. Manager Kevin Cash — uncharacteristically slow to pull starter Tyler Glasnow in Game 1 — also has fresh arms in the bullpen. After separating his troubled right shoulder while bumping forearms celebrating his go-ahead homer in NLCS Game 7, the Dodgers slugger touched feet with teammates after going deep in the World Series opener Tuesday.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)A look at what’s happening around the majors Sunday:___SEVENTH HEAVENThe NL Championship Series is headed for Game 7, and the finale could hinge on the performance of two rookie right-handers. If Tony Gonsolin goes for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night, it will be the first winner-take-all postseason game started by two rookies. It's just the second NLCS to go the distance in 15 seasons and the first time since 2004 that both league championship series have gone seven games. The Rays clinched their second trip to the Fall Classic with a 4-2 win over Houston in the AL Championship Series on Saturday night at Petco Park in San Diego. Ace Tyler Glasnow is lined up to start the opener for the Rays against the Braves-Dodgers winner in Game 7 of the NLCS.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Though Kenley Jansen never lost confidence in himself, the big right-hander might be regaining that from the Los Angeles Dodgers after an inconsistent stretch. That came two days after another 1-2-3 inning in a midgame appearance for LA in a 15-3 win. In the ninth inning Friday night, Jansen threw 10 strikes and got three swinging strikeouts. “I thought the tempo, I thought the delivery was cleaned up, it was a little bit more smooth. The 33-year-old 3-time All-Star, whose velocity had been noticeably down and his control inconsistent, said they went over how his delivery wasn't the same as it had been when he was dominating hitters.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager celebrates his two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Game 6 is Saturday afternoon, with a pitching rematch from the series opener: lefty Max Fried for the Braves and right-hander Walker Buehler for the Dodgers. Minter struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced as the first pitcher in MLB history whose first start came in a postseason game. The fourth-year big leaguer became the first pitcher — starter or reliever — with seven strikeouts in three innings or fewer in a postseason game. But the Dodgers challenged that Ozuna that left third base early — and it became the Braves third out instead of their third run.

The Dodgers set franchise postseason records for runs and home runs with five, cutting their NLCS deficit to 2 games to 1. Winner Julio Urías, made his first postseason start and improved to 3-0 in these playoffs, striking out five while allowing one run and three hits over five innings. LOT OF BIG NUMBERSThe 15 runs matched the most in an NLCS game — the Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals 15-0 in Game 7 of the 1996 NLCS. ... Only the Chicago Cubs, with six in Game 3 of the 2015 NLDS, hit more homers in any postseason game. The Dodgers’ eight extra-base hits matched the franchise record for a postseason game, and their 18 total bases in the first were an MLB record for an inning.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.