SANDY ALCANTARA

Rookie Spencer Strider set an Atlanta record with 16 strikeouts while allowing only two hits in eight innings to lead the Braves to a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies.

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.

Reds Marlins Baseball Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara is doused by Pablo Lopez after the Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI — (AP) — Sandy Alcantara threw his major league-leading third complete game and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Wednesday night. Alcantara (10-4) is the first Marlins pitcher to reach double-digit victories in a season since Caleb Smith won 10 in 2019. After Cincinnati forced him to throw 22 pitches in the inning, Alcantara needed 83 the remainder of his outing. Marlins: OF Avisaíl García (left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Sandy Alcantara threw his major league-leading third complete game and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0.

Nationals Padres Soto Trade Baseball FILE - Washington Nationals' Juan Soto bats during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (Alex Brandon)A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___SOTO ARRIVESJuan Soto is set for his San Diego debut at home against Colorado. Before the game, the Padres will hold a news conference to introduce Soto on his first day with the team. Castillo (4-4, 2.86 ERA) will be pitching at Yankee Stadium for the second time in nearly three weeks. 2.52 ERA) is 9-0 in his last 15 starts heading into his outing for Texas against visiting Baltimore.

Juan Soto is set for his San Diego debut at home Wednesday night against Colorado.

Astros Mariners Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Seattle. Pete Alonso and the first-place Mets are in Miami to face Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara (9-4, 1.81 ERA) for the fourth time since June 19. Alcantara is winless in his last three starts overall despite a 1.71 ERA during that span. Brandon Woodruff (8-3, 3.73 ERA) pitches for the Brewers against rookie Brayan Bello (0-2, 10.50) in the opener of a three-game series. MAD BUMArizona left-hander Madison Bumgarner (6-9, 3.71 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at Atlanta.

Houston ace Justin Verlander, who leads the major leagues in wins, takes a 13-3 record and 1.86 ERA into his start Friday against visiting Seattle.

Daniel Castano was hit on the forehead by a 104 mph line drive off the bat of Donovan Solano in the first inning of the Miami Marlins’ 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Starling Marte singled home the winning run in the ninth inning, and the New York Mets beat the crosstown Yankees 3-2 for a two-game sweep of their Subway Series.

Marlins Pirates Baseball Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 24, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) (Barry Reeger)PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Nick Fortes and Miguel Rojas hit RBI singles in the 10th inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 on Sunday. The Marlins took two of three from the Pirates after losing their previous four. Miami ace Sandy Alcantara struck out 10 in six innings, allowing two runs and two hits and leaving with a 1.81 ERA. Pirates: RHP JT Brubaker (2-8, 4.02) will take the mound Monday for the first of a two-game set at the Chicago Cubs.

Nick Fortes and Miguel Rojas hit RBI singles in the 10th inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5.

Hall of Fame Inductions Preview Baseball FILE - David Ortiz speaks to reporters during a news conference after his orientation tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Monday, May. The former Boston Red Sox player will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 24. Ortiz hit 541 home runs in 20 big league seasons and helped the Boston Red Sox win three World Series championhips. New York has been outscored 6-2 in the first two games of the series and its division lead is down to a half-game over defending World Series champion Atlanta. WORTH WATCHINGThe series finale for this weekend’s Guardians-White Sox series in Chicago features an intriguing matchup of tough right-handers.

David Ortiz will certainly hear loud chants of “Big Papi!”.

Hall of Fame Inductions Preview Baseball FILE - David Ortiz speaks to reporters during a news conference after his orientation tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Monday, May. The former Boston Red Sox player will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 24. Ortiz hit 541 home runs in 20 big league seasons and helped the Boston Red Sox win three World Series championhips. WORTH WATCHINGThe series finale for this weekend’s Guardians-White Sox series in Chicago features an intriguing matchup of tough right-handers. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner tossed a three-hitter in a 4-1 victory over the White Sox in his last start on July 12.

After winning an MVP award, three Cy Youngs and five ERA titles, one of the generation’s best pitchers will claim a title that has somehow eluded him at his home park: All-Star Game starter. Clayton Kershaw is starting the Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium, a glorious and appropriate honor for the avatar of the recent Dodgers. Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, this year’s NL All-Star skipper, announced the decision Monday morning. The Tampa Bay Rays' Shane McClanahan, a 25-year-old fireballer leading MLB with a 1.71 ERA, will start for the American League squad. As if he needed to audition for the role, Kershaw carried a perfect game into the eighth inning on Friday in his last start before the break.

The real hardware won’t be handed out until early October, but here are the players who are on pace to pick up the major fantasy awards. 1 fantasy starter to this point in the season, leading the Majors in ERA and WHIP while sitting in a tie for second in strikeouts. Strider has struck out 77 batters across his 10 starts and could be among the Major League strikeout leaders from this point forward. Best Waiver Wire AdditionAmerican League – Luis Arraez (Minnesota Twins)Finding the Major League batting champ on waivers feels like a major coup, but in the case of Arraez, it wasn’t too surprising. The right-hander has thus stabilized a rotation that has dealt with multiple injuries by going 11-0 with a 2.02 ERA.

Orioles Cubs Baseball Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, left, acknowledges starting pitcher Spenser Watkins' strikeout of Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ, center, to end the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Chicago. They get a chance to do some damage against their division rivals starting Friday when they open a three-game series at Tampa Bay. Baltimore hasn't faced an AL East opponent since winning two of three at home against the Rays from June 17-19. LA STORIESBoth Los Angeles teams get to stay in Southern California ahead of next week's All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium — and they even get an extra day off Sunday. PAY ATTENTIONMiami's Sandy Alcantara gets one more chance to audition for the NL's starting spot in the All-Star Game.

The Baltimore Orioles are riding a 10-game winning streak, they’re contending for a wild-card spot, and they’re somehow still in last place in the AL East.

Brian Anderson atoned for a costly error with a two-run triple in the 11th inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 Thursday afternoon.

That includes three who, like Scherzer, were All-Star starters last year with their old teams: Freddie Freeman, Nick Castellanos and Marcus Semien. There is another full week of games to play before the All-Star Game. When was the last time brothers started in the same All-Star Game? TRIVIA ANSWERSandy Alomar Jr. was the AL starting catcher in the 1992 All-Star Game, in the same lineup with second baseman Roberto Alomar. The last brothers to appear in the same All-Star Game were the Boones in 2003, with Aaron a reserve infielder for the NL and Bret the same for the AL.

There were 15 MLB players who signed new contracts worth $100 million or more before this season.

Max Scherzer was back on the mound, striking out 11 in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball. The NL starter in last year's game, Scherzer was 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA through his comeback Tuesday night in Cincinnati, only his ninth start this year. Scherzer is making a season-record $43.3 million in the first of his $130 million, three-year deal.

Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.

Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and the surprising Baltimore Orioles try for their eighth straight win, which would match their best streak in 17 years. The last time the O's won eight in a row was 2005 with a team that included Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa. Orioles right-hander Austin Voth (0-1, 7.20), claimed on waivers from Washington last month, starts against lefty José Suarez (1-2, 4.30 ERA). THE FOUR-A’S CLUBThe Oakland Athletics have gotten exactly four hits in four straight games, and have managed to win two of them. A’s lefty Cole Irvin (3-6, 3.55) has one win in nine starts since coming off the injured list on May 22.

Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and the surprising Baltimore Orioles try on Sunday for their eighth straight win, which would match their best streak in 17 years.

Justin Verlander looks to become the first 11-game winner in the majors when Houston hosts the last-place Royals in the finale of a four-game series Thursday afternoon.

Angels Marlins Baseball Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (Lynne Sladky)MIAMI — (AP) — Sandy Alcantara pitched eight dominant innings in his second straight win, and the Miami Marlins beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory. But Alcantara struck out Max Stassi to end the threat. Ohtani advanced to third on Ward’s fly ball to deep center before Alcantara struck out Walsh for the final out in the seventh. Before their two-game set with the Angels, the Marlins finished 5-2 in St. Louis and Washington.

Sandy Alcantara pitched eight dominant innings, and the Miami Marlins beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 for their sixth straight victory.

Brewers Mets Baseball New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer watches during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in New York. Left-hander Nick Lodolo (1-2, 5.52), who was 10 when Scherzer made his big league debut, starts for the Reds. Scherzer could be joined in the Mets rotation by Jacob deGrom by late July or early August. Taillon starts the series opener at Pittsburgh, the team that selected him with the second overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. Luis Garcia (6-5, 3.54 ERA) starts for the AL West-leading Astros.

New York Mets ace Max Scherzer returns to a major league mound for the first time since May 18 when the NL East leaders play at Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

Brewers Mets Baseball New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer watches during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in New York. Left-hander Nick Lodolo (1-2, 5.52), who was 10 when Scherzer made his big league debut, starts for the Reds. Scherzer could be joined in the Mets rotation by Jacob deGrom by late July or early August. Taillon starts the series opener at Pittsburgh, the team that selected him with the second overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. Luis Garcia (6-5, 3.54 ERA) starts for the AL West-leading Astros.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run homer off the foul pole in the 10th inning to keep the Miami Marlins’ domination of the Washington Nationals going with a 3-2 victory.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)Sandy Alcantara is pitching like a contender for the Cy Young Award. The Marlins have had an MVP in Giancarlo Stanton, but never in the franchise's three-decade history have they had a Cy Young winner. Mets (MVP): The Mets have had seven Cy Young winners but no MVPs. TRIVIA TIMEOf the teams that have had at least one Cy Young winner, which has currently gone the longest without one? TRIVIA ANSWERThe Baltimore Orioles have not had a Cy Young winner since 1980, when Steve Stone won.

Sandy Alcantara is pitching like a contender for the Cy Young Award.

Marlins Phillies Baseball Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins is doused with water after hitting an RBI-double during the ninth inning of a baseball game for a walkoff win over the Miami Marlins, Monday, June 13, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) (Laurence Kesterson)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — Rhys Hoskins raised his arms in celebration on his game-ending RBI double in the ninth inning that led the Philadelphia Phillies over the Miami Marlins 3-2 Monday night. Berti singled off Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the seventh and Rojas lined another RBI double for the 2-1 lead. “This guy tonight, he’s one of the better pitchers in baseball,” Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said. UP NEXTThe Marlins send LHP Trevor Rogers (3-5, 5.58 ERA) to the mound against Philadelphia RHP Zach Eflin (2-4, 3.76 ERA).

Rhys Hoskins raised his arms in celebration on his game-ending RBI double in the ninth inning that led the Philadelphia Phillies over the Miami Marlins 3-2.

LYNN IS INLance Lynn will return from the injured list and pitch for the White Sox a day earlier than planned after manager Tony La Russa shuffled his rotation in response to Michael Kopech’s injury Sunday. Kopech left a start against Texas after 13 pitches with right knee discomfort, and La Russa ended up using Johnny Cueto — Monday’s projected starter — in relief. Kopech was optimistic he’ll return soon, and La Russa said the right-hander could be back by next Sunday. Lynn was slated to return Tuesday but instead will take Cueto's vacated spot for the opener of a series at Detroit. Aaron Nola (4-4, 3.50) pitches for Philadelphia, which had its nine-game winning streak end Sunday with a loss to Arizona.

LYNN IS INLance Lynn will return from the injured list and pitch for the White Sox a day earlier than planned after manager Tony La Russa shuffled his rotation in response to Michael Kopech’s injury Sunday. Kopech left a start against Texas after 13 pitches with right knee discomfort, and La Russa ended up using Johnny Cueto — Monday’s projected starter — in relief. Kopech was optimistic he’ll return soon, and La Russa said the right-hander could be back by next Sunday. Lynn was slated to return Tuesday but instead will take Cueto's vacated spot for the opener of a series at Detroit. Aaron Nola (4-4, 3.50) pitches for Philadelphia, which had its nine-game winning streak end Sunday with a loss to Arizona.

Christian Walker had three hits and three RBIs, Jake McCarthy homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Phillies 13-1 to end Philadelphia’s nine-game winning streak and give interim manager Rob Thomson his first loss.

Free falling toward a dreadful bit of team history, the Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday and appointed third base coach Phil Nevin to the role on an interim basis.

Mariners Marlins Baseball Seattle Mariners' Logan Gilbert pitches to Miami Marlins' Jesus Sanchez during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI — (AP) — Logan Gilbert kept up his run of impressive starts, Julio Rodríguez hit his first major league homer and the Seattle Mariners ended Miami's seven-game winning streak, beating the Marlins 7-3 Sunday. Making his first start against an NL club, Gilbert (4-0) held the Marlins hitless until Jon Berti’s two-out single in the fifth. Crawford hit a two-out double and the Marlins intentionally walked Abraham Toro to face Rodríguez, who began the day with a .205 average. Berti scored from third on Jorge Soler’s infield single against Mariners reliever Andres Muñoz in the seventh.

Logan Gilbert kept up his run of impressive starts, Julio Rodríguez hit his first major league homer and the Seattle Mariners ended Miami’s seven-game winning streak, beating the Marlins 7-3.

Braves Dodgers Baseball Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. Following a day off, they send left-hander Max Fried (1-2, 3.50 ERA) to the mound at home in a series opener against the Chicago Cubs. MISTER ZEROMarlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.86 ERA) has pitched 14 consecutive shutout innings heading into his fourth start of the season. The 34-year-old former Cy Young Award winner starts in Chicago against the Royals. LHP Max Fried (1-2, 3.50 ERA) pitches for the Braves.

As they wait for star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to return from knee surgery, the World Series champion Atlanta Braves are off to a slow start at 7-10.

Braves Dodgers Baseball Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. Following a day off, they send left-hander Max Fried (1-2, 3.50 ERA) to the mound at home in a series opener against the Chicago Cubs. MISTER ZEROMarlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.86 ERA) has pitched 14 consecutive shutout innings heading into his fourth start of the season. The 34-year-old former Cy Young Award winner starts in Chicago against the Royals. LHP Max Fried (1-2, 3.50 ERA) pitches for the Braves.

One day after the 2022 Major League Baseball season began, Florida’s very own – the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays — kicked off their seasons on Friday. Game 1: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore OriolesThe Rays hosted the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to begin their season. Coming off a 10-6 season, where he posted a 3.43 ERA and 141 strikeouts, Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan was gifted the opening day start – and he did not disappoint. En rout to his first win of the year, the Rays’ left-handed pitcher struck out seven batters, and forced a shutout in 4.1 innings. Pablo Lopez will get the start for the Marlins, who will be looking to even the series.

He has four homers in his first 19 spring at-bats in Cactus League play. He's off to a good start in the Grapefruit League with a .412 average and four homers. The 23-year-old has a legit chance to earn a spot on Philadelphia's opening day roster, especially after three homers in his first 20 spring at-bats. He's already in midseason form in Grapefruit League play, striking out 12 batters in his first 11 innings while giving up just three earned runs. He looks ready for another big year after giving up just one hit over his first seven innings in the Grapefruit League.

Francisco Lindor wasn’t the franchise-altering shortstop the New York Mets were hoping for last season.

Javier Báez agreed to bring his high motor to the Motor City, while other teams around the majors raced to finish up business before Tuesday’s deadline to tender contracts and a likely roster freeze coming when baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires Wednesday.

The Atlanta Braves have captured their fourth straight NL East championship.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.

Miami Marlins leadoff batter Miguel Rojas and New York Mets counterpart Jonathan Villar each homered on the first pitch they saw Thursday night, the first time that’s happened in a major league game since at least 1985, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Anthony Rizzo continued his remarkable debut for the Yankees with another key hit and New York completed a three-game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

The Washington Nationals slugger exited Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of an injured right hamstring. Schwarber grimaced rounding first on a single, grabbed the hamstring and immediately left the field. “When you see a guy grab his leg like that, you’ve got to get him out of the game,” manager Dave Martinez said. TWO-WAY GOFans hoping Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will hit and pitch in the All-Star Game might just get their wish. Marlins manager Don Mattingly also was tossed.

After a historic June homer binge, Kyle Schwarber’s July got off to a less promising start.

The Washington Nationals slugger exited Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of an injured right hamstring. Schwarber grimaced rounding first on a single, grabbed the hamstring and immediately left the field. “When you see a guy grab his leg like that, you’ve got to get him out of the game,” manager Dave Martinez said. TWO-WAY GOFans hoping Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will hit and pitch in the All-Star Game might just get their wish. Marlins manager Don Mattingly also was tossed.

Marlins starter Pablo López was ejected after plunking Ronald Acuña Jr. with his first pitch, leading to the only run as the Atlanta Braves edged Miami 1-0.

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom’s shoulder showed no abnormalities, but the team wasn't ready to commit to him taking his next turn in the rotation.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. keyed a career-best four-hit outing with his major league-leading 17th home run and the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated the return to their temporary Buffalo home with a 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins.

The Baltimore Orioles have lost 14 straight games, the worst skid in the majors since Houston dropped 15 in a row in 2013.

Playing their first game in a rejuvenated Fenway Park since the state dropped limits on crowds during the coronavirus pandemic, Nathan Eovaldi went 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Miami Marlins 3-1.

Max Scherzer pitched a five-hitter, Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer and the Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins 3-1.

Marcus Stroman was unhappy that the New York Mets began their game against the Miami Marlins in a steady rain, and he lasted just nine pitches before play was stopped.

SETBACK IN THE BULLPENBlue Jays right-hander Kirby Yates will miss several weeks because of a strained muscle in his forearm. He allowed one run and five hits, striking out five without a walk. Ross Stripling struck out seven and walked none in 3 2/3 innings, but gave up three runs and five hits. Bryan Abreu, a top Astros pitching prospect who turns 24 next month, started and pitched three perfect innings, striking out four. Baltimore starter John Means allowed four hits and walked three over 3 2/3 innings, striking out three.

Bauer wound up pitching three scoreless innings with the creative approach, striking out three while allowing two hits and a walk. Known for speaking his mind and going his own way, Bauer said he regularly shuts one eye during bullpen sessions and other workouts. METS 6, ASTROS 1 (6)Jacob deGrom pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, striking out three and allowing one hit. AdBLUE JAYS 7, PHILLIES 1 (7)Newcomer Tanner Roark made his first start for Toronto, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings. Jorge López threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:STANTON'S STREAKYankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton has homered in all four of the team's postseason games this year. The two-time NL home run champion is from the Los Angeles area and says “that SoCal air" is helping the ball fly. If the Dodgers advance to the NL Championship Series or World Series, fans will be allowed at those games. “At this point I think we’ve grown accustomed to it.”Alcantara insisted he didn’t intend to hit Acuña and that Miami’s game plan is simply to pitch inside to him. Springer’s 17 postseason homers tied Nelson Cruz and Jim Thome for most through a player’s first 54 postseason games.

Acuña got things going for the Braves in the bottom of the first when he sent Alcantara’s second pitch into right-center for a homer. Braves manager Brian Snitker said that even though he didn’t believe this pitch was on purpose, the Marlins have hit Acuña far too many times. The Braves trailed 4-3 in the seventh before Austin Riley and Acuña hit consecutive singles with no outs to chase Alcantara. The shot caused the Braves dugout to erupt with Acuña jumping over the railing to celebrate. UP NEXTRight-hander Pablo Lopez will make his postseason debut when he starts for the Marlins in Game 2 against Ian Anderson.

He’ll surpass Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, who was nearly 22 when he started Game 4 of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies, as the youngest postseason starter for New York. LONG AND SHORTCarlos Correa and the Houston Astros look to grab a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five Division Series against AL West champion Oakland. The Padres hadn't said whether starters Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger will be healthy enough to crack their NL Division Series roster and pitch against the Dodgers. BRAVE NEW WORLDThe Braves are back in the NL Division Series for a third straight year but haven’t advanced to the NL Championship Series since 2001. They’re hoping they can hold off the upstart Marlins, who have never lost a postseason series.

Members of the Miami Marlins celebrate after defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of a National League wild-card baseball series Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Chicago. The Marlins won the series 2-0 to advance to the division series. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)MIAMI – Their T-shirts say Bottom Feeders, even though the Miami Marlins are showing they’re a different kind of fish in 2020 — the sort that rises to make a splash. After holding the Cubs to one run and nine hits in two games, the Marlins posed for a team photo in the Wrigley Field infield. They are young and inexperienced, but it's just baseball.”And the Marlins are getting better at it.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO – The Miami Marlins just kept fighting. Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer off a fading Hendricks in the seventh inning, and Miami beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 of their NL wild-card series. The Marlins, who rallied past the Cubs in a memorable NLCS that year, have never lost a playoff series. Yu Darvish starts for the Central champion Cubs, and rookie right-hander Sixto Sánchez get the ball for upstart Miami. “It’s going to be great.”Darvish is making his first playoff appearance since signing with Chicago before the 2018 season.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___CRAZY EIGHTHow’s this for wild: MLB is set to stage eight postseason games on the same day for the first time. National League clubs will open their best-of-three wild-card series, while four American League teams are already facing elimination after starting Tuesday. With the expansion of the first round from a pair of wild-card games to eight best-of-three series, there are a maximum 65 possible postseason games this year. In the 1960s, there were 66 postseason games in the entire decade, with league championship series starting in 1969. Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 1.99 ERA) starts Game 2 following a successful first season with Chicago.

Toronto Blue Jays players, coaches and staff celebrate a 4-1 win over the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)BUFFALO, N.Y. – Barred from playing in their own ballpark this year because of COVID-19, the vagabond Toronto Blue Jays have found a home in the playoffs. The Blue Jays extended their lead when Biggio and Bo Bichette hit back-to-back, two-out doubles in the third. SEVEN UPRyu became the first Blue Jays starting pitcher since Aug. 22, 2019, to pitch into the seventh. Blue Jays: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-3, 2.86) starts Friday in the opener of a three-game series against Baltimore.

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)ATLANTA Adam Duvall drove in nine runs with three homers, including a grand slam, and the Atlanta Braves obliterated their franchise scoring record in a 29-9 romp over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night. The Braves had 23 hits, including seven homers, to score the most runs in their history in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. The old Atlanta record was 20 runs, most recently against the Marlins on Oct. 5, 2001. Freeman hit second, d'Arnaud hit fourth and Albies hit eighth. Marlins second baseman Isan Daz was optioned to the teams alternate training site in Jupiter, Florida.

The San Diego Padres acquired the reliever from Kansas City on Saturday for outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named. The 30-year-old Rosenthal has a 3.29 ERA and seven saves after struggling with injuries and poor performance in recent years. The Mets plan to start righty Rick Porcello (1-4, 6.43 ERA) and converted closer Seth Lugo (1-2, 2.03). That year, he became the only player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game. They made the move with infielder Starlin Castro expected to miss the rest of the season with a broken wrist.

(AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:WAIT AND SEEThe Cincinnati Reds will wait for their latest COVID-19 test results to see when they can resume the season. Cincinnati had home games against Pittsburgh postponed Saturday and Sunday after a player tested positive. Cincinnati is the third team to have games postponed because one of its players tested positive for COVID-19, joining the Marlins and the Cardinals. Chapman tested positive for the coronavirus during preseason workouts and hasnt pitched yet this season. AILINGBlue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is on the injured list, interrupting his big-hitting season.