MLB

LEADING OFF: NL West showdown, Cards-Braves, Cubs slumpingBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors Monday:SHOWDOWNWith the Rockies and Dodgers in a tight race atop the NL West, they begin their final series of the regular season. Jon Gray (11-7) pitches the opener of a three-game...

Associated PressYankees' Aaron Judge no fan of MLB bubbleBy SCOTT ORGERANEW YORK (AP) Yankees manager Aaron Boone packed two large suitcases Thursday and bid adieu to his family, not knowing when he'd see them again.Right fielder Aaron Judge is packing, too, though he's not a fan of Major...

AP Baseball WriterSeeding, not record determines who bats last in World SeriesBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The higher seeded team reaching the World Series will have last at-bats in Games 1 and 2 and if needed Games 6 and 7, not necessarily the team with the best record.The...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The San Francisco Giants declined their 2016 contract options on outfielders Nori Aoki and Marlon Byrd.Both players became free agents Wednesday night, but the Giants left open the possibility of bringing them back later in the offseason.General manager Bobby Evans made the announcement on a...

Associated PressBieber gets first major league win as Indians beat Twins 4-1By STEVE HERRICKCLEVELAND (AP) Shane Bieber was relaxing in the clubhouse at Triple-A Columbus on Saturday when he received an important message.The rookie right-hander was needed in the big leagues.Bieber capped a whirlwind few hours by pitching...

Left-handers Holland, Erlin invited to Pirates' campPITTSBURGH (AP) Left-handers Derek Holland and Robbie Erlin have agreed to minor league contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates along with catcher Andrew Susac and outfielder Charlie Tilson.All four will report to big league spring training, the Pirates said Friday.The 33-year-old Holland...

AP Sports WriterTebow being promoted to Mets' affiliate in FloridaBy PETE IACOBELLICOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Tim Tebow is moving up and heading south - to some very familiar territory.Tebow has been promoted to the New York Mets' high Class A affiliate in St. Lucie, Florida. The 29-year-old Tebow led...