MLB

LEADING OFF: Paxton vs Verlander in ALCS, day off for NLCSBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:Justin Verlander starts for Houston in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, trying to even the best-of-seven matchup with the Yankees. New York won the opener 7-0...

AP Sports WriterDavid Freese, 2011 World Series MVP, retires at 36By BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) David Freese retired Saturday after an 11-year career in the majors in which he shone brightest in the postseason, winning a World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 when he...

AP Sports WriterPhils' Middleton overruled MacPhail, Klentak to fire KaplerBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) John Middleton runs the show in Philadelphia.The Phillies managing partner made that clear Friday, a day after manager Gabe Kapler was fired despite resistance from Team President Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak.''A CEO's...

NLCS rosters: Nationals reliever Hudson on paternity listST. LOUIS (AP) Washington Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson was placed on the postseason paternity list Friday and won't be available to pitch at the beginning of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis.Right-hander Wander Suero will be on Washington's active roster...

Miller, Hudson chosen as umpire crew chiefs for LCSNEW YORK (AP) Bill Miller will be the umpire crew chief for the NL Championship Series and Jeff Nelson will head the ALCS crew.Major League Baseball announced the assignments Friday.Mike Muchlinski will call balls and strikes for Game 1 of...

NLCS rosters: Nationals reliever Hudson on paternity listST. LOUIS (AP) Washington Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson has been placed on the postseason paternity list and won't be available to pitch at the beginning of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis.Right-hander Wander Suero will be on Washington's active roster...

NLCS rosters: Nationals reliever Hudson on paternity listST. LOUIS (AP) Washington Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson has been placed on the postseason paternity list and won't be available to pitch at the beginning of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis.Right-hander Wander Suero will be on Washington's active roster...

Astros aces lined up for ALCS against YankeesHOUSTON (AP) Zack Greinke will start the AL Championship Series opener for the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees on Saturday night.After the former NL Cy Young winner and midseason acquisition starts Game 1 on Saturday night, the Astros will...

AP Sports WriterNLCS surprise: Top 2 teams out, leaving Cards vs NatsBy PAUL NEWBERRYWith the top teams out of the mix, it's on to a most unlikely matchup in the NL Championship Series.The St. Louis Cardinals are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2014 after a...

Cardinals go with same roster for NLCSST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Cardinals are going with the same roster for the NL Championship Series that they used in the first round of the playoffs.The only notable exclusions for St. Louis are right-handers Michael Wacha and John Gant. Wacha...

LEADING OFF: Nats, Cards open NLCS, Yanks-Astros set in ALCSBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:WELCOME TO THE NLCSThe Washington Nationals play in the NL Championship Series for the first time, taking on St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Anibal Sanchez starts for the Nats...

MLB free-agent qualifying offer price drops to $17.8 millionNEW YORK (AP) The price of qualifying offers for Major League Baseball free agents dropped for the first time, falling by $100,000 to $17.8 million.Determined by the average of the top 125 major league contracts this year, the figure announced...