Baseball

Williams, Ramírez lead Guardians over White Sox 2-0 to cap comeback in 5-game AL Division Series

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 10:20 AM CDT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Gavin Williams and José Ramírez delivered when the Cleveland Guardians needed them the most.

Williams had 12 of a record 21 strikeouts by Cleveland pitchers, Ramírez hit a two-run, go-ahead home run on a pitch just above home plate in the fourth inning and the Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 2-0 Saturday night to complete a comeback from an 0-2 deficit in their best-of-five AL Division Series.

AL Central champion Cleveland became just the 11th team to win a best-of-five series among the 96 that fell behind 0-2, the first since the 2017 New York Yankees against the Cleveland Indians and only the fourth to achieve the feat after losing the first two games at home.

“I’d say that the confidence that we have in this group has been really tested and refined over the course of the last two years," Guardians closer Cade Smith said. “As a group, we’ve dealt with some adversity and seen us come out on the other side of that and had success in spite of that. And that builds a quiet foundation of confidence to play from.”

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Baseball

Christian Yelich and the Brewers looking to get past Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in NLCS sequel

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Christian Yelich and the Brewers looking to get past Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in NLCS sequel

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — All along, Christian Yelich felt this was going to be part of the road for the Milwaukee Brewers.

It was always going to be the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers — with their consecutive World Series titles and a payroll that casts a long shadow over Yelich and the small-market Brewers.

“We’ve been expecting having to play them in this round since spring training, in the regular season,” Yelich said Saturday. “You kind of just know that’s what’s going to happen.”

The 2026 NL Championship Series is a sequel, with Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers taking on Jackson Chourio and the Brewers. Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in last year's NLCS on the way to the franchise's 26th NL pennant and ninth World Series championship. The Dodgers also eliminated the Brewers in the NLCS in 2018 and the wild-card round in 2020.

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Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

Baseball

José Ramírez homers as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5 in ALDS

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

José Ramírez homers as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5 in ALDS

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — José Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Thursday night to send their AL Division Series to a winner-take-all Game 5.

Patrick Bailey also went deep and Game 2 starter Gavin Williams came out of the bullpen to get the last three outs as the Guardians won for the second consecutive day in Chicago after beginning their postseason with two straight losses at home. Jo Adell hit a two-run single to cap a six-run sixth inning for the AL Central champions.

Cleveland is looking to become the first major league team to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series since the 2017 New York Yankees accomplished the feat against, well, Cleveland. Teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five postseason series have gone on to win 83 of 93 times.

Game 5 is back in Cleveland on Saturday night, and the winner will open the American League Championship Series at Tampa Bay next Monday.

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Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

Baseball

MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball proposed to shorten the regular season to 154 games from 162 games starting in 2029 and to expand the Division Series to best-of-seven in bargaining with players on Thursday.

Owners also proposed to allow higher-seeded teams in the first two rounds of the postseason to pick their opponents beginning next year and to make Monday a day off for most teams starting in 2029 except for those in one or two nationally broadcast games.

Cutting regular-season games would reduce the opportunity for players to set season and career records.

“Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players," MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement.

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Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

Baseball

Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick (10) is congratulated by Jackson Chourio after scoring on a single by Garrett Mitchell during the third inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)

Brewers eliminate Padres with 3-1 win in Game 4, advance to NLCS rematch with Dodgers

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Brewers eliminate Padres with 3-1 win in Game 4, advance to NLCS rematch with Dodgers

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Garrett Mitchell tripled and scored the tiebreaking run in the fifth inning before making a pivotal catch on Manny Machado's drive to the wall in the eighth, and the Milwaukee Brewers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the second straight season with a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, winning their best-of-five Division Series in four games.

Mitchell also drove in Sal Frelick with Milwaukee’s first run as the Brewers snapped their 12-game postseason road losing streak since 2018 and reached the team's fifth League Championship Series.

“Just so proud of these guys,” Frelick said. “After the first (loss in Game 3), it really starts to creep in that you don’t want to go back for a Game 5. Really proud of these guys for stepping up today and getting the job done.”

After fending off the surging Padres in four tight games decided by a combined five runs, the 103-win Brewers will get an NLCS rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who eliminated Atlanta on Wednesday.

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Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026

Baseball

Rays beat Yankees 4-3 for 3-game Division Series sweep behind Mesa homer, fan interference call

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Rays beat Yankees 4-3 for 3-game Division Series sweep behind Mesa homer, fan interference call

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night with the help of a fan interference call for a three-game sweep of their AL Division Series.

Ryan Vilade also homered for the Rays, who reached the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020 and host the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians in the opener on Monday.

“You always want to play well on the biggest stage, right? And you’re not going to get a bigger stage than playing against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “I don’t think we’re out to prove anybody wrong. We’re out to just continue doing what we’ve done well.”

After Mesa's homer gave the Rays a 4-2 lead, Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a two-run shot against Griffin Jax with two outs in the bottom half as a fan reached over the left-field wall and caught the ball over the glove of a leaping Mesa.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. makes an attempt on a ball interfered with by fans that umpires reviewed and ruled a run-scoring double by New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe during the sixth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer for Yankees against Rays in Game 3 of ALDS

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer for Yankees against Rays in Game 3 of ALDS

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Volpe was denied a tying home run for the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays when umpires ruled a fan interfered with his drive to deep left field Wednesday night.

The play was initially called a two-run homer that would have tied the score at 4 with two outs in the sixth inning. But a lengthy video review by Major League Baseball determined a fan reached over the wall to catch the ball as Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr. tried in vain for a leaping grab.

Spectator interference became the ruling, and Volpe was awarded an RBI double that scored George Lombard Jr. from first base, trimming Tampa Bay's lead to 4-3 at Yankee Stadium.

There was another slight delay after some fans in left threw debris onto the field, and Spencer Jones then struck out against Griffin Jax to end the inning.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

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Baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a two run RBI-single off a pitch by Atlanta Braves pitcher Didier Fuentes, bottom left, during the seventh inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Pages delivers go-ahead single in 7th as Dodgers beat Braves 4-1 to clinch NL Division Series

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Pages delivers go-ahead single in 7th as Dodgers beat Braves 4-1 to clinch NL Division Series

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

ATLANTA (AP) — Andy Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Wednesday night to clinch their NL Division Series.

The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the best-of-five matchup 3-1 and advance to the National League Championship Series as they seek to become the first NL team to win three straight World Series.

Pages lined a 3-2 pitch from Robert Suarez up the middle to drive in Teoscar Hernández, who singled off starter Tyler Mahle, and pinch-runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead. Didier Fuentes walked pinch-hitter Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases. Edman ran for De Paula.

Max Muncy's solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the ninth padded the lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason homers with the Dodgers, extending his franchise record.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Baseball

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez, left, celebrates after scoring on a fielder's choice by Chase DeLauter during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Jo Adell and José Ramírez star as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-3 to avoid elimination

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Jo Adell and José Ramírez star as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-3 to avoid elimination

Jay Cohen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — Jo Adell and José Ramírez powered Cleveland with a pair of two-out triples, and the Guardians avoided an AL Division Series sweep by cooling off the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday.

Adell's three-run triple gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead in the third inning. Ramírez's three-bagger drove in Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey for a 7-3 advantage in the eighth.

The Guardians recorded two triples in a postseason game for the first time in franchise history. They became the first major league team to accomplish the feat since the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.

Adell, Ramírez, Bailey and Brayan Rocchio each had two of the team's 11 hits — a complete turnaround for the AL Central champions after they managed just three runs and seven hits in the first two games of the series combined.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Baseball

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, right, is congratulated by teammate Jackson Merrill (3) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Padres avoid elimination, beat Brewers 4-3 in NLDS Game 3 with Cronenworth’s HR, King’s relief

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Padres avoid elimination, beat Brewers 4-3 in NLDS Game 3 with Cronenworth’s HR, King’s relief

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jake Cronenworth hit a tiebreaking homer, Game 2 starter Michael King pitched the final two innings on one day of rest and the San Diego Padres avoided playoff elimination with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of their NL Division Series on Tuesday night.

Xander Bogaerts turned a game-ending double play at shortstop for the Padres, who trimmed Milwaukee’s lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1 with a tense, back-and-forth victory over the MLB-best Brewers.

Game 4 is Wednesday night at Petco Park. If necessary, Game 5 will be back in Milwaukee on Friday.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado drove in early runs for the Padres, but their bullpen didn’t have star closer Mason Miller, who went on the paternity list about 45 minutes before the first pitch. King stepped up after pitching five innings just two days ago and finished it off — but only after a thrilling ninth.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Baseball

Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernández and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernández and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves

Charles Odum, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

ATLANTA (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out 10 in seven brilliant innings, Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in their NL Division Series.

Yamamoto dominated the much-anticipated matchup with Atlanta ace Chris Sale, who allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. Yamamoto, the MVP of the 2025 World Series, permitted only four hits with one walk while improving to 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 career postseason outings, including 10 starts.

His 10 strikeouts were a postseason high for the Japanese right-hander.

The Dodgers can win the best-of-five series and take another step in their attempt to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series titles by beating the Braves again Wednesday night in Game 4.

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Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays' Richie Palacios celebrates after hitting a two-run single during the fifth inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the New York Yankees Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Small-ball Rays beat the sloppy Yankees 5-2 for a 2-0 lead in AL Division Series

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Small-ball Rays beat the sloppy Yankees 5-2 for a 2-0 lead in AL Division Series

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Richie Palacios hit a two-run single in a four-run fifth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of New York's sloppy defense, beating Cam Schlittler and the Yankees 5-2 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

The Rays are one victory from reaching the American League Championship Series. Game 3 in the best-of-five playoff is Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Ben Rice hit a pair of homers for the Yankees, who are on the verge of elimination — which would extend their World Series drought to 17 seasons. They were dominated by Drew Rasmussen in the series opener and have scored just two runs in two games with three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge out of the lineup due to a calf injury.

The small-ball Rays chased Schlittler, the likely AL Cy Young Award winner, in the fifth aided by New York's defensive miscues.

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Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

Baseball

White Sox surge past Guardians 4-3 to take 2-0 lead in ALDS and move within 1 win of ALCS

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

White Sox surge past Guardians 4-3 to take 2-0 lead in ALDS and move within 1 win of ALCS

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

CLEVELAND (AP) — Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line, Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of splendid relief and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

The surprising White Sox improved to 4-0 in these playoffs — all on the road — and are one win from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, including a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024.

Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth and Chase DeLauter had two hits for the Guardians.

Starting pitcher Gavin Williams struck out 11, tied for second-most in a Cleveland postseason game. But the offense failed to produce for the second straight game.

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Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

Baseball

Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Michael Harris II leads Braves to 3-2 win over Dodgers in Game 2 to tie NLDS

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Michael Harris II leads Braves to 3-2 win over Dodgers in Game 2 to tie NLDS

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Harris II tripled and scored the go-ahead run on reliever Kris Bubic's wild pitch in the fifth inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday night to even the National League Division Series at a game apiece.

“Getting the split in this place against these guys, yeah, it’s awesome,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.

Harris' RBI double to right against reliever Edgardo Henriquez added an insurance run with two outs in the seventh in what turned into a bullpen game for both teams when the Braves chased Dodgers starter Blake Snell after 3 2/3 innings — his shortest postseason start since 2022 with San Diego.

Harris also singled in the third, coming up a home run short of hitting for the cycle.

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Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

Baseball

Yankees relying on Cam Schlittler to even series against the Rays

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Yankees relying on Cam Schlittler to even series against the Rays

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 5 minute read Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Cam Schlittler is likely to win the AL Cy Young Award and became an even bigger fan favorite in New York after saying he wants to be a “Yankee forever.”

All that matters right now is beating the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

The Yankees are down 1-0 in the best-of-five AL Division Series after Drew Rasmussen dominated a lineup missing Aaron Judge in a 1-0 win on Saturday night. New York didn’t get a hit until Austin Wells lined a double with two outs in the eighth and was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.

So, pressure is on the 25-year-old Schlittler to deliver in Game 2 for a young batting order that includes Ben Rice, Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr.

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Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026

Baseball

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras reacts after hitting a home run during the seventh inning in Game 1 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Brewers edge Padres 3-2 in NLDS opener that features bizarre play in 9th inning

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Brewers edge Padres 3-2 in NLDS opener that features bizarre play in 9th inning

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026

MILWAUKEE (AP) — William Contreras hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and the Milwaukee Brewers hung on to beat San Diego 3-2 in their NL Division Series opener Saturday night after a potential go-ahead homer by the Padres' Ty France hit the American Family Field roof and landed in outfielder Jackson Chourio's glove for an out.

San Diego had a runner on first with one out in the ninth inning when France hit a towering flyball that struck a railing on the roof before Chourio caught it in fair territory on the left-field warning track.

Under the stadium's ground rules, any batted ball striking the roof or one of its cables in fair territory is a fair ball that can be caught for an out, so Chourio's catch retired France. The Padres unsuccessfully challenged that France's drive was a foul ball.

“We joked about it at the umpire meeting today about what would happen if the ball hit the roof. And it was unlikely, but it happened,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “Unfortunately, a bad break for us. Looked like it was a possible home run. Just didn’t go our way.”

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Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026

October 11, 2026

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