MLB

Devenski replaces Abreu on Astros' roster for World SeriesHOUSTON (AP) Chris Devenski replaced Bryan Abreu on the Houston Astros' World Series roster against the Washington Nationals in a swap of right-handed pitchers.A right-hander who turns 29 next month, Devenski has not pitched in a game since Sept. 29,...

AP Baseball WriterLong wait over for some Astros, Nationals at World SeriesBy STEPHEN HAWKINSHOUSTON (AP) What a relief for Houston Astros pitcher Joe Smith that manager AJ Hinch was only joking about his team's makeup for the World Series.''I would bring (him) in my office and pretend like...

The Latest: Astros will see plenty out of Nats' startersHOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:30 p.m.After all those relievers Houston hitters faced this postseason with the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees relying so early and heavily on their bullpens, the...

The Latest: Scherzer will start World Series opener for NatsHOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):4:38 p.m.Max Scherzer will start the World Series opener for the Washington Nationals against the Houston Astros' Gerrit Cole on Tuesday night.Stephen Strasburg will start Game 2 on Wednesday...

AP Baseball WriterAstros bats outside Altuve scuffling going into World SeriesBy STEPHEN HAWKINSHOUSTON (AP) Take out pennant-clinching home run hitter Jose Altuve, and the Houston Astros' bats are really scuffling this postseason.After leading the majors with a .274 team batting average during the regular season, the Astros hit...

The Latest: Brantley finally gets chance to play in SeriesHOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):4:10 p.m.Michael Brantley will finally get the chance to play in a World Series. The four-time All-Star outfielder could only watch three years ago.After 10 seasons with the Cleveland...

The Latest: Umpire crew will wear patching honoring CooperHOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:50 p.m.Alan Porter will work home plate for Tuesday night's World Series opener as part of an umpiring crew headed by Gary Cederstrom.Doug Eddings will be at first, Cederstrom at...

A capsule look at the World SeriesBy The Associated PressA look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros:---Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Tuesday, at Houston, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Wednesday, at Houston, 8:07 p.m.; Game 3, Friday, at Washington, 8:07 p.m.; Game 4,...

Astros pick Verlander for Game 2, Greinke for Game 3HOUSTON (AP) Justin Verlander will follow Gerrit Cole and start Game 2 of the World Series for Houston against Washington on Wednesday.Zack Greinke will start for the Astros on Friday when the Series resumes at Nationals Park.''Greinke gets to...

For The Associated PressMike Schmidt: Why can't I just accept it's all about power?By MIKE SCHMIDTI get it. Today the game is asking for home runs. The temptation is too great, analytics support it, and coaches coach it.Small parks, maple bats, a new ball and shifting defenses have given...

The Latest: Astros' Pressly expects to be able to pitchHOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:05 p.m.Astros reliever Ryan Pressly says he expects to be able to pitch in the World Series.Pressly threw only one pitch in the clinching Game 6 of the ALCS...

AP Sports WriterLos Viejos -- The Old Guys -- help Nationals make SeriesBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) NL MVP candidate Anthony Rendon surveyed his teammates scattered around the Nationals Park diamond, whoopin' it up after clinching a World Series berth.There were starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez, each...