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☆ Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Jim Bowden | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +48 min

MLB free agency is almost here so it’s time for my annual ranking of the top free agents with contract predictions and the best team fits for each player. Best team fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Diamondbacks, Red SoxSalary comps: NoneContract prediction: Minor-league contract4. Several teams have early interest in Walker, with the Astros and Mariners being the best early team fits. Best team fits: Padres, Rangers, Dodgers, Orioles, Guardians, MetsSalary comps: N/AContract prediction: None at this time19. Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Diamondbacks, BrewersSalary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M)Contract prediction: 1 year, $15 million42.

Persons: Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried, Roki Sasaki, Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander, Christian Walker, Alex Bregman, I’ve, He’s, Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr, Soto, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Cy Young, Burnes, Stephen Strasburg, Jacob deGrom, Aaron Nola, Roki, Sasaki, he’s, Gerrit Cole, Cole, Cole won’t, Will, Brett Davis, They’ll, Carlos Rodón, Patrick Corbin, Tyler Glasnow, Pete, Matt Olson, Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Matt Chapman, Nolan Arenado’s, Dana Brown, Xander Bogaerts, Snell, —, José Berríos, Sonny Gray, Freddy Peralta, Peralta, Anthony, Shohei Ohtani, Tommy Gilligan, Brandon Nimmo, Willy Adames, Corey Seager, Andrew Friedman, Adames, Dansby Swanson, Javier Báez, Trevor Story, Marcell Ozuna, Ozuna, Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, Anthony Rizzo, Cody Bellinger, Cody Bellinger didn’t, Bellinger, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Shane Bieber, Tommy John, Bieber, Sean Manaea, Brad Penner, Manaea, Hyun Jin Ryu, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Bassitt, Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Flaherty, NL Cy Young, Lance McCullers Jr, Mitch Keller, Pablo López, Kyle Hendricks, Tomoyuki Sugano, Sugano, Michael Wacha, Jameson Taillon, Jon Gray, Nathan Eovaldi, Seth Lugo, Teoscar Hernández, Jayne Kamin, Teoscar, Hernández, Starling Marte, Jorge Soler, Walker Buehler, Buehler, Tanner Scott, Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Jurickson, Profar, Mitch Haniger, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Michael Conforto, Eugenio Suárez, Suárez, Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, Jordan Montgomery, Wasserman, Ken Kendrick, Montgomery doesn’t, Seong Kim, Mike Shildt, Kim, J.P, Crawford, Jeff McNeil, Nico Hoerner, Orlando Arcia, Gleyber Torres, Torres, Tyler O’Neill, Bob DeChiara, Cody Bellinger —, O’Neill, Andrew Benintendi, Ian Happ, Yusei Kikuchi, Kikuchi, Tyler Anderson, Brandon Lowe, Lowe, Brandon Drury, Jorge Polanco, Nick Martinez, Martinez, Charlie Morton, Frankie Montas, Joc Pederson, Rhys Hoskins, Mitch Garver, Justin Turner, Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Estévez, Gregory Fisher, Estévez, Dave Dombrowski, Jeff Hoffman, Kendall Graveman, José Alvarado, Joe Jiménez, Ryan Pressly, Taylor Rogers, Luis Severino, Zach Eflin, Lucas Gioloto, Marcus Stroman, Reynaldo López, Jose Quintana, Tyler Mahle, Blake Treinen, Emilio Pagán, Wandy Peralta, Alex Verdugo, Mark Canha, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, Jose Iglesias, Chris Sale, Iglesias, Isiah Kiner, Miguel Rojas, Goldschmidt, Josh Bell, Hoskins, Hoffman, Matt Strahm, Chris Martin, Matthew Boyd, Boyd, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson, Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver, Dan Goldfarb, Mary DeCicco, Daniel Shirey Organizations: MLB, eventual, The Athletic, Baseball, OF, Boras, Yankees, American League, New York, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Nationals, Mets, Orioles, Red Sox, Chiba Lotte Marines, NPB, Diamondbacks, Angels, Kansas City, Braves, FIP, Star, Mariners, Astros, Giants, Rockies, Cardinals, Cy Young, Brewers, Milwaukee, Anthony Santander, RF, Santander, Reds, Adames, Rays, Cubs, Pirates, Cy, Guardians, Padres, Tigers, NL Cy, Twins, Yomiuri Giants, of Famers, Royals, Excel, Marlins, NL, The Diamondbacks, Montgomery, Sox, Tampa Bay, White Sox, Atlanta, Talent Sports, Apex, Athletics, Getty Locations: Bronx, Japan, New York, Houston, Walker, Seattle, Bledsoe, Tampa, Philadelphia, Fiume

Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. “It's probably a little slower from a conversation standpoint at a winter meetings than it normally would,” New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday. Behind Ohtani in the hitters free-agent pecking order are Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both represented by the sport's biggest agent, Scott Boras. Among starting pitchers, the market includes Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, also represented by Boras. “He’s going to make other pitchers better.”___AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.

Persons: ., Shohei, Mike Trout, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, “ It's, ”, David Stearns, hasn't, ” Ohtani, Nez, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Scott Boras, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Farhan Zaidi, “, Ross Atkins, Atkins, San Diego, Juan Soto, Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White, Cole Phillips, Jackson Kowar, Gonzales, White, Eugenio Suárez, Carlos Vargas, Seby Zavala, Scott Servais, “ That’s, Jackson Chourio, “ There’s, I’m, ” Chourio, Milwaukee, Wade Miley, Pat Murphy, “ He’s, Teresa M, Walker, ___ Organizations: ” New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Creative Artists Agency, Gaylord, Convention, Boras, San Francisco Giants, CBA, Blue Jays, San, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta, Seattle, ” Mariners, Brewers Locations: Tenn, Nez Balelo, ” Toronto, Nashville, Seattle, Arizona, Milwaukee

Aaron Nola is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on a seven-year deal, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The 30-year-old Nola was a first-round draft pick by the Phillies in 2014, debuted with Philadelphia the next year and has been there his entire career. Nola helped Philadelphia secure an NL wild card in 2023, and then went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four playoff starts. Nola made five postseason starts when Philadelphia made it to the 2022 World Series before losing to Houston. Nola is 90-71 with a 3.72 ERA in 235 career starts over nine seasons — all with Philadelphia.

Persons: Aaron Nola, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nola, He's, ___ Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Associated Press, ESPN, Phillies, Philadelphia, NL, Arizona, Houston, LSU Locations: Philadelphia, Baton Rouge , Louisiana

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who turned down $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Tuesday and remained on free agent market to pursue more lucrative contracts. In addition to Ohtani saying no to the Los Angeles Angels, others who declined to accept were outfielder Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), pitchers Josh Hader and Blake Snell (San Diego), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia), Sonny Gray (Minnesota) and third baseman Matt Chapman (Toronto). A team signing the player could lose one or two draft picks. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 131 offers have been accepted. Ohtani heads a free agent class that also includes starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery, along with Nola, Snell, Gray and Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is not attached to draft-pick compensation.

Persons: Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Snell, Gray, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Qualifying Locations: San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Toronto, Nola

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start. “Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. “We may ask some questions, but I can’t tell you we’re diving all in,” Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said. Privately, they're surely discussing the developing Ohtani sweepstakes, which could cost the winning team upward of $500 million. “You have to have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, so on and so forth.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Chris Young, “ We’re, Brian Cashman, “, Dana Brown, they're, “ There's, Perry Minasian, We've, Tommy John, Nathan Eovaldi, Jameson Taillon, Daniel Hudson, Jason Isringhausen, Walker Buehler —, TJ, —, Ohtani, He’s, There’s, he’s, Brown, ” Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Tim Anderson, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mike Trout, ” Minasian, We're, Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto, ” Dipoto Organizations: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, ” Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Privately, Los Angeles Angels, ” Angels, He’s, MLB, Current Dodgers, Astros GM, Cubs, Former Angels, Seattle Mariners, Seattle GM, Mariners Locations: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, Scottsdale, ”, Arizona

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who received $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Monday as the free agent market opened for 168 players. In a sign of the relative weakness of the free agent class, half as many players received qualifying offers as last year. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and 10 of 124 offers have been accepted. The Braves declined options on outfielder Eddie Rosario ($9 million) and right-handers Collin McHugh ($6 million) and Kirby Yates ($5.75 million). Miami declined options on right-handers Johnny Cueto ($10.5 million) and Matt Barnes ($9 million).

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Snell, Gray, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Milwaukee's Colin Rea, Charlie Morton, Eddie Rosario, Collin McHugh, Kirby Yates, Rosario, Yates, Mark Canha’s, Blake Holub, Michael Wacha, Johnny Cueto, Matt Barnes, Cueto, Barnes, Alex Cobb, Brooks Raley, Blake Treinen, Javier Báez, Michael Conforto, Ross Stripling, Josh Bell, Drew Smyly, Báez, Conforto, Bell, Stripling, Adam Ottavino, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Qualifying, Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, San, Miami, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tigers, Giants, Cubs, Detroit, Cleveland, Marlins Locations: San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Toronto, Nola, Atlanta, Detroit, Blake Holub . Milwaukee, San Francisco, Miami

Minnesota prevented outfielder Max Kepler and infielder Jorge Polanco from going free, exercising a $10 million option on Kepler and and $10.5 million option on Polanco. Political Cartoons View All 1233 ImagesPlayers may start negotiating with any team at 5 p.m. EST Monday, also the deadline for teams to make qualifying offers. Players may receive a qualifying offer if they spent the entire season with the team and have not previously received a qualifying offer. The Brewers declined a $7.25 million option on left-hander Andrew Chafin and a $2.5 million option on left-hander Justin Wilson. Washington declined a $3.3 million option on outfielder Victor Robles, who would be eligible for arbitration if tendered a contract.

Persons: Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Max Muncy, Joe Jiménez, Colin Rea, Sonny Gray, Josh Hader, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, J.D, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Joc Pederson, San, Muncy, Jiménez, Rea, Andrew Chafin, Justin Wilson, Victor Robles, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, Polanco, Qualifying, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta, Milwaukee, The Brewers Locations: Martinez . Minnesota, San Francisco, Texas, Wilson . Washington

Marte has a hit in every postseason game he's ever played. A night after wasting a two-run, ninth-inning lead in a 6-5, 11-inning loss, the Diamondbacks outhit Texas 16-4 and never trailed. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and 38-year-old Evan Longoria each singled in a run for Arizona, which got its first World Series road win after four losses dating to 2001. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesThe Series, just the third between wild-card teams, shifts to Arizona for Game 3 on Monday in the first Series game at Phoenix since 2001. He singled in the second, hit opposite-field doubles to right in the fourth and sixth, and singled in the eighth.

Persons: — Merrill Kelly, Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno, Jordan Montgomery, Tommy Pham, Marte, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramírez, Hank Bauer, he's, Emmanuel Rivera, Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Evan Longoria, Kelly, detoured, Mitch Garver’s, Pham, Montgomery Montgomery, Moreno, Montgomery, Alek Thomas, Longoria, Josh Jung, Caroll, Martín, Walker, . Walker, Jonah Heim’s, Max Scherzer, Brandon Pfaadt, ___ Organizations: Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Diamondbacks outhit Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, New York Mets, Houston, AL, Diamondbacks, NEXT Texas, Detroit Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Arizona, South Korea, Washington

This one won an extended Game 1 of the World Series for the Texas Rangers. If I did that, I’d be screaming, too,” Texas second baseman Marcus Semien said. “It's going to be a really good series,” García said. He became the first position player in MLB history to appear in a World Series 15 years after first playing in the Fall Classic. He also became the fourth player with a World Series hit at both age 23 or younger AND 38 or older.

Persons: Adolis García, Corey Seager's, mobbed, “, Josh Jung, ” Miguel Castro, El Bombi, Corbin Carroll, García, Max Muncy, Nathan Eovaldi —, ” García, Evan Carter's, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Seager, Paul Sewald’s, Leody, Bruce Bochy, ” José Leclerc, that's, we’ve, Torey Lovullo, ” Seager’s, Tony Beasley, ”, Marcus Semien, ” Seager, Tommy Pham, Ketel, Carroll, Zac Gallen, Mitch Garver, Gallen, Ryan Thompson, Joe Mantiply, Kevin Ginkel, Sewald, “ It's, Evan Longoria’s, Eddie Murray, Pee Wee Reese, Willie Mays, David Freese, Freese, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, ” Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston, Rangers, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Arizona, Diamondbacks, Houston, Star, Marte, NL, Tampa Bay Rays, League, Rays, St, Louis Cardinals, Texas, Kelly Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Texas, Arizona, ” Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers are back in the World Series for the first time since twice being within one strike of winning the 2011 title. And these Rangers won't even be the first team to play in a World Series at Globe Life Field, their retractable-roof stadium that opened in 2020. Freese led off the 11th with a game-ending homer, and the Cards won Game 7 the following night. That 2016 division title is still the last for the Rangers, one of six big league teams without a World Series title. “I came here to get to the World Series, but I came here to win it.”___

Persons: “ We’ve, Chris Young, They're, Bruce Bochy, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis García, Josh Jung, Evan Carter, I’ve, ”, Bochy, “ It’s, Louis, Ron Washington, Seager, David Freese, Nelson Cruz, Lance Berkman, Freese, Texas, Yu Darvish, Darvish, Tommy John, Cole Hamels, Jose Bautista's, Sam Dyson, Cy Young, Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, deGrom, Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery, Scherzer, “ Organizations: The Texas Rangers, Texas, Rangers, AL, Lone Star State, Astros, St, Life, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cards, Oakland, Toronto, AL West, Nathan Eovaldi . Texas, New York Mets Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Texas, Houston, San Francisco, St, Baltimore, Semien, Nathan Eovaldi .

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve thrives under pressure for the Houston Astros, able to stay calm in the biggest October moments even after another bench-clearing fracas against the Texas Rangers. “This dude is one of the baddest dudes I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen some greats.”Baker wasn't in the dugout when Altuve hit his 26th career postseason homer, second in major league history behind Manny Ramirez (29). García, Abreu and Baker were all ejected. “The guy hits a three-run homer; the next time up he gets smoked,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. The 5-foot-6 Altuve, playing in his 101st postseason game for Houston, then pulled an 0-1 changeup over the left-field fence, just beyond the glove of a leaping Evan Carter.

Persons: — Jose Altuve, Altuve’s, Friday, “ He’s, ”, Dusty Baker, I’ve, ” Baker wasn't, Altuve, Manny Ramirez, Adolis García, Bryan Abreu, García, Martín Maldonado —, ” García, “, Abreu, Baker, James Hoye, Bruce Bochy, “ I’d, José Leclerc, Yainer Diaz, Jon Singleton, Evan Carter, You’ve, Alex Bregman, ” Altuve, Cy Young, Justin Verlander, Corey Seager, Carter, Nathaniel Lowe, Ryan Pressly, Pressly, Marcus Semien, Seager flied, Houston, El Bombi, José Abreu, Jordan Montgomery, Seager, Josh Sborz, Verlander, Lowe, Nathan Eovaldi, Framber Valdez, Eovaldi, Valdez, ___ Organizations: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Astros, Rangers, ” Rangers, Houston, 101st, “, Lone Star State, AL West, Texas, Semien, Monday Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, ” Houston, Houston, Texas, Arlington, Verlander

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The streaky Texas Rangers are suddenly headed the wrong way again. The Rangers won the first two in Houston and matched the Astros' 7-0 start in the playoffs last year, when Houston won its second championship. That up-and-down stretch began with Houston sweeping Texas at Globe Life Field, hitting 16 homers while outscoring the Rangers 39-10. Texas played six of its first seven games on the road this postseason, winning twice in Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Houston. Houston has never rallied from a 2-0 deficit, and will have Justin Verlander on the mound for the final game of the series in Arlington.

Persons: Andrew Heaney, Corey Seager's, José Abreu's, Houston, Justin Verlander, It's, Jordan Montgomery, ___ Organizations: streaky Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Texas, Astros, Life, instate AL West, The Rangers, Houston, Rangers, Globe Life Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Texas, Houston, Tampa Bay , Baltimore, Arlington

That includes their 8-5 win in Game 3 of the first postseason series between the instate AL West rivals. Seager was MVP in both the NLCS and World Series. He hit five homers in that seven-game NLCS, two in the World Series and has two here this postseason. OPEN ROOFA game was played at Globe Life Field with the roof open for the first time in nearly five months. The roof was open for 13 of the 16 neutral-site postseason games in 2020, including three of the six World Series games.

Persons: — José Abreu, Alvarez's, Corey Seager's, Adolis García, hasn't, Jose Altuve, Alvarez, Chas McCormick, Dane Dunning, Martin Maldonado, Mauricio Dubón, Alex Bregman, Cody Bradford, Abreu, Ryne Stanek, Mitch Garver's, Altuve, Andrew Heaney, Bregman, Dunning, Seager, José Urquidy, Stanek, Marcus Semien’s, Abreu snagged Corey Seager’s, Jordan Baker, SEAGER DINGERS Seager, Jordan Montgomery, Cy Young, Justin Verlander, Urquidy, ___ Organizations: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Rangers, Tampa Bay, Life, Astros, Texas, Globe, instate AL West, The Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mets Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Houston, Texas, Baltimore, Tampa, UP, New York

☆ Rangers blank Astros in Game 1 of ALCS for 6th straight postseason win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Montgomery worked seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Taveras finished 2-for-2 with a walk batting in the nine-hole against Astros right-hander Justin Verlander. He drilled a 1-2 slider from Verlander 398 feet into the right field seats with one out in the fifth to double the Rangers' lead. Montgomery dominated his matchup with Astros left-handed slugger Yordan Alvarez, recording inning-ending strikeouts of Alvarez in the first, third and fifth innings. Jose Leclerc retired the Astros in order in the ninth for his second save as Texas claimed its sixth consecutive postseason win.

Persons: Jordan Montgomery, Leody Taveras, Montgomery, Taveras, Justin Verlander, Jonah Heim, Evan Carter, Carter, Alex Bregman, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jose Altuve, Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Alvarez, Bregman, Martin Maldonado, Maldonado, Jose Leclerc, Bower Organizations: Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, American League, Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Rangers, Texas, Thomson Locations: HOUSTON, Montgomery, Texas

☆ Astros still confident heading into Game 2 of ALCS vs. Rangers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Participating in their seventh consecutive ALCS, the longest such streak in AL postseason history, the Astros have shown resilience plenty of times previously. Houston won't have to wait long for a chance to even things, as it plays host to the Rangers on Monday in Game 2 of the ALCS. Left-hander Framber Valdez (0-1, 10.38 ERA in postseason) is the scheduled starter for the Astros in Game 2. Valdez is 7-5 with a 2.90 ERA over 16 career appearances (13 starts) against the Rangers. Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 4.42 ERA over 10 career regular-season starts against the Astros.

Persons: Jordan Montgomery, Justin Verlander didn't, Montgomery, Verlander, We've, Framber Valdez, Valdez, Nathan Eovaldi, Eovaldi, Yordan Alvarez, Alvarez, curveballs, Aroldis Chapman, Nathaniel Lowe, Bower Organizations: Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, American League, Astros, Houston, Rangers, Minnesota Twins, AL, Texas, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Eovaldi, Twins, Montgomery, Thomson Locations: HOUSTON, Texas

Montgomery pitched five-hit ball over 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Taveras provided a two-run lead with his solo homer in the fifth. The playoff-tested Astros, in the ALCS for a seventh straight year, had a tough time getting anything going against Montgomery. Jose Leclerc struck out one in a perfect ninth for the save and the Rangers' second shutout of the playoff. John Jung singled with two outs, Taveras walked to load the bases and Verlander limited the damage by retiring Marcus Semien on a fly ball. Heim walked to open the seventh and a two-out single by Taveras chased Verlander.

Persons: — Jordan Montgomery, Leody Taveras, Justin Verlander, Montgomery, Taveras, Evan Carter, Slugger Yordan Alvarez, Verlander, he’s, Cy Young, Josh Sborz, Jose Altuve, Aroldis Chapman, Carter, Alex Bregman, Altuve, Alvarez, Jose Leclerc, Jonah Heim, John Jung, Marcus Semien, Martín Maldonado, Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubónand Jeremy Peña, Montgomery wriggled, Maldonado, Heim, Hector Neris, Bregman, Framber Valdez, Nathan Eovaldi, Eovaldi, Nolan Ryan, “, ” Eovaldi, “ I’m, ” Organizations: HOUSTON, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, The Rangers, Rays, Orioles, Toronto, Astros, Rangers, Verlander, MLB, Houston, Alvin High School, Hall of Fame Locations: Houston, Montgomery, Texas

Now the Rangers get another chance at the Astros when they meet for the first time in the playoffs in a Texas-sized showdown with a trip to the World Series on the line starting Sunday night in Houston. The Astros completed the regular season matchup against the Rangers with a three-game sweep at the beginning of September. But despite the lopsided results this season, both teams say they’ll start with a clean slate for the American League Championship Series. As manager of the San Francisco Giants in 2002, he lost the World Series to the Anaheim Angels. “In California we were in the World Series, two teams, us and the Angels, battling for bragging rights in California,” he said.

Persons: — Houston, Justin Verlander, Josh Jung, Adolis, Nathaniel Lowe, Evan Carter wasn’t, “, Evan, ” Lowe, Dusty Baker, ”, I’ve, Robbie Grossman, Jordan Montgomery, Verlander, Cy Young, Louis, Houston’s Framber Valdez, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Bruce Bochy, Scherzer, “ Max, ” Bochy, “ He’s, we’ll, Chris Young, Bryan Abreu, Abreu, hasn’t, Ryan Pressly, Jim Ross, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Turner, Stephen Hawkins, ___ Organizations: HOUSTON, Rangers, Astros, The Astros, Houston, American League, AL West, Lone Star, San Francisco Giants, Anaheim Angels, Angels, Mets, Minnesota, Montgomery, Orioles, Detroit, Dodgers, Arlington, Houston Mayor Locations: Texas, Houston, “, California, ”, Montgomery, St, Washington

The wild-card Rangers have outscored the Orioles and Tampa Bay — the top two teams in the American League in the regular season — by 25-11. Garver, a backup catcher who hadn't played yet in the 2023 playoffs, hit his grand slam for a 9-2 lead. Garver was in the lineup because it was “just time to get him out there” — to quote Bochy pregame. Corey Seager became the first player to walk five times in a postseason game and scored twice. Tuesday night will be the first home game for the Rangers since Sept. 24 and their first playoff game at Globe Life Field.

Persons: Mitch Garver, Bruce Bochy, San Francisco, Gunnar Henderson, Aaron Hicks, haven't, They're, Hicks, Garver's, Grayson Rodriguez, Garver, hadn't, Bochy, Corey Seager, Leody Taveras, Marcus Semien, Ryan Mountcastle, Seager, Rodriguez —, Adolis García, Jonah Heim, Rodriguez, Danny Coulombe, Bryan Baker, Jacob Webb, Cody Bradford, Jordan Montgomery, Jorge Mateo, Henderson's, Mateo, Nathan Eovaldi, Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Organizations: BALTIMORE, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, AL, Rangers, Orioles, Tampa, American League, National League, AL East, Baltimore, . Texas, The Rangers, Camden Yards, Kansas City, Toronto, Texas, Life Locations: . Texas, Texas

BALTIMORE (AP) — For the first time this postseason, the maligned Texas bullpen had to protect a slim lead in the late innings. The late innings weren't all that stressful in the Wild Card Series against Tampa Bay, as Texas outscored the Rays 11-1 for a two-game sweep. Kyle Bradish struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings for the Orioles but allowed two runs in the fourth to take the loss. Orioles: Baltimore had to leave LHP John Means — who was a possible candidate to start Game 3 — off the roster because of elbow soreness. UP NEXTMontgomery is set to start Game 2 for the Rangers on Sunday against Baltimore rookie Grayson Rodriguez.

Persons: Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman, José Leclerc wobbled, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, “, Bruce Bochy, Josh Jung, Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer —, they've, Heaney, Dunning, Will Smith, Sborz, Chapman, Leclerc, Jung, snagged Anthony Santander's, Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, Jonah Heim, Henderson, Brandon Hyde didn't, ” Hyde, Kyle Bradish, Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi, it's, Adam Jones, Joan Jett, Bradish, García, Evan Carter, Heim, Carter, Mountcastle, Aaron Hicks, Adam Frazier, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn, ”, Marcus, Adley, he's, ” Jung, hasn't, LHP John Means —, Grayson Rodriguez, Montgomery, Rodriguez, ___ Organizations: BALTIMORE, Texas, Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, AL, Orioles, Rays, Tampa Bay, Santander, ., Scherzer, The Orioles, AL East, Camden Yards, Baltimore, Montgomery, Sunday Locations: Baltimore, . Texas, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Texas, Marcus Semien . Texas, Henderson

☆ MLB roundup: Twins snap historic playoff losing streak
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (1-0) limited the Blue Jays to one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-1) labored through four innings before giving way to the bullpen. Rays starter Tyler Glasnow (0-1) gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits with five walks in five-plus innings. Miami starter Jesus Luzardo (0-1) lasted four innings, allowing eight hits and three runs with five strikeouts and no walks. Six Arizona relievers preserved the victory by combining for 6 1/3 scoreless innings after rookie Brandon Pfaadt allowed three runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Persons: Royce Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Pablo Lopez, Kevin Gausman, Lewis, Evan Longoria, Gary Gaetti, Jordan Montgomery, Corey Seager, Evan Carter, Tyler Glasnow, Randy Arozarena, Zack Wheeler, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Cristian Pache, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Corbin Burnes, Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt, Joe Mantiply, Paul Sewald Organizations: Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Target, USA, American League, Minnesota, New York Yankees, Twins, Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Rangers, Rays, Tampa Bay, Phillies, Marlins, Philadelphia, Miami, National League, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Arizona, Milwaukee, NL, Six Arizona, bullpen, Thomson Locations: Minneapolis , Minnesota, USA, Minneapolis, American, Texas, Tampa, St . Petersburg, Fla, Montgomery, Arizona, Six

CHICAGO (AP) — There is Shohei Ohtani, and then there is the rest of baseball's soon-to-be free agents. The right-hander also went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound. Here's a closer look at a couple more of baseball's best potential free agents:1B/OF CODY BELLINGERBellinger also was a free agent in 2022. He is a .240 career hitter with 153 homers and 424 RBIs in seven years in the majors. He's 10-11 with a 3.25 ERA over 182 2/3 innings this season overall and will turn 31 during the offseason.

Persons: Ohtani, Tommy John, CODY BELLINGER Bellinger, Bellinger, Belllinger, Wrigley, LHP BLAKE SNELL Snell, Cy Young, Snell, Bob Gibson, AARON NOLA, Nola, JOSH HADER Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, Hader, MATT CHAPMAN, Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, Louis, He's, Sonny Gray, Jeimer Organizations: CHICAGO, Los Angeles Angels, AL, Cincinnati, Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Cubs, San, Cy, NL, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Rangers Locations: baseball's, San Diego, Tampa Bay, St, Minnesota

☆ MLB roundup: Pirates escape 9-run hole, stun Reds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Rivas got the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the fourth inning. The Reds dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the chase for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Athletics 4, Tigers 1Trevor May pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the eighth and ninth innings, preserving Joe Boyle's first major league win, as Oakland defeated visiting Detroit. Stroman was relieved by Javier Assad (5-3), who threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Mookie Betts drove in two runs for a major league record 105 RBIs from the leadoff spot.

Persons: Jordan Montgomery, Kevin Jairaj, Alfonso Rivas, Rivas, Bryan Reynolds, Ji Hwan, Christian Encarnacion, Strand, Bailey, Strand's, Montgomery, Dylan Moore, Julio Rodriguez, Louis, Josh Lowe, Chris Devenski, Junior Caminero, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Cavan Biggio, Luis Robert Jr, Josh Winckowski, Statcast, Dylan, Nick Pivetta, Pivetta, Jo Adell, Brandon Drury, Kyle Farmer, Christian Vazquez, Trevor May, Joe Boyle's, Esteury, Boyle, Jordan Diaz, Joey Wentz, Miguel Diaz, Jake Burger, Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz, Carlos Santana, Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel, Miles Mastrobuoni, Marcus Stroman, Stroman, Javier Assad, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Zack Wheeler, Jose Quintana, Taylor Clarke, Richie Palacios, Palacios, Luken Baker, Andrew Knizner, Ryan Helsley, Eguy Rosario, Xander Bogaerts, Helsley, Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto, John Means, Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez, Tommy John, Clayton Kershaw, Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Martinez Organizations: Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Life, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati, Reds, Pirates, Chicago Cubs, National League . Rangers, Mariners, Seattle, Rangers, American League West, Houston Astros, Rays, Blue Jays, Tampa Bay, Cavan, White Sox, Red Sox, Boston, Chicago, Angeles, Angels, Minnesota, American League Central, Athletics, Tigers, Oakland, Detroit, Marlins, Brewers, Miami, Milwaukee, NL, Friday, Cubs, Rockies, Colorado, Miami Marlins, National League, Phillies, Mets, Philadelphia, League, New York, Royals, Astros, Kansas City, Houston, Seattle . Cardinals, Padres, Orioles, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dodgers, Giants, Francisco, Los, The Giants, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Texas, USA, Encarnacion, Texas, Montgomery, St, Toronto, St . Petersburg, Fla, Chicago, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Angeles, Houston, Diego's, San Francisco, Los Angeles

☆ Rangers blank Blue Jays for 10-run rout
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

September 14 - Nathaniel Lowe and Mitch Garver hit three-run homers, left-hander Jordan Montgomery pitched seven scoreless innings and the visiting Texas Rangers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0 Wednesday night. Jonah Heim had an RBI single for the Rangers and has seven RBIs in the series. The Rangers (81-64) moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Blue Jays (80-66) in the American League wild card race. The Rangers scored two more runs in the fifth. Lowe singled with one out, took second on pinch hitter Josh H. Smith's two-out single and scored on Evan Carter's single.

Persons: Nathaniel Lowe, Mitch Garver, Jordan Montgomery, Robbie Grossman, Jonah Heim, Yusei Kikuchi, Corey Seager, Grossman, Heim, Lowe, Seager, Bowden Francis, Josh H, Evan Carter's, Smith, Martin Perez, Garver, Chad Green, Ian Kennedy, Max Scherzer, Jonathan Hernandez Organizations: Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Rangers, The Rangers, Blue Jays, American League, Texas, Montgomery, Triple, Thomson Locations: . Texas, Texas . Texas, Toronto

☆ MLB roundup: Bryce Elder, Braves blank Yanks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

[1/4] Aug 15, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder (55) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Truist Park. The losing pitcher was Luis Severino (2-8), who worked four innings and allowed all five runs (three earned) on five hits. Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler allowed one run on three hits in seven innings. Spenser Watkins (0-1) lost in his A's debut, allowing five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Orioles starter Jack Flaherty (8-8), formerly Wacha's teammate with the Cardinals, gave up seven runs in three innings.

Persons: Bryce Elder, Dale Zanine, Marcell Ozuna, Ronald Acuna Jr, DJ LeMahieu, Luis Severino, Christian Walker, Tommy Pham, Geraldo Perdomo, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Nick Ahmed, Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald, Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones, Elehuris Montero, Ty France, Teoscar Hernandez, Eugenio Suarez, Josh Rojas, Bobby Witt Jr, Martinez, Enrique Hernandez, Bobby Miller, Carlos Santana, Adrian Houser, Jack Suwinski, Conner Joe, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Brandon Nimmo, Jakob Junis, Sean Manaea, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, San Francisco, Tyler Rogers, Luke Jackson, Zack Littell, Cavan Biggio, Seranthony Dominguez, Yusei Kikuchi, Zack Wheeler, Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, Tucker, A.J, Chas McCormick, Yainer Diaz, Alex Verdugo, Triston Casas, John Schreiber, Kenley Jansen, Keibert Ruiz, Stone Garrett, Josiah Gray, Nolan Arenado, Louis, Jordan Walker, Tommy Edman, Dakota Hudson, Lawrence Butler, Spenser Watkins, Logan Allen, Jose Ramirez, Tim Anderson, Allen, Matt Wallner, Dylan Floro, Jhoan Duran, Miguel Cabrera, Spencer Torkelson, Matt Vierling, Corey Seager, Seager, Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran, Jordan Montgomery, Luis Robert Jr, Tanner Banks, Lane Ramsey, Aaron Bummer, Gregory Santos, Ramsey, Elvis Andrus, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Julian Merryweather, Gary Sanchez, Diego's, Michael Wacha, Jack Flaherty, Austin Hays Organizations: Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Arizona, Colorado, The Diamondbacks, Mariners, Royals, Seattle, Kansas City, Dodgers, Brewers, Milwaukee, National League West, NL Central, Pirates, Mets, Pittsburgh, New York, The Pirates, Giants, Rays, San, Tampa Bay, Blue Jays, Phillies, Cavan, Toronto, Philadelphia, Astros, Marlins, Miami, Houston, Red Sox, Nationals, Boston, Washington . Five Red Sox, Washington, Cardinals, Athletics, Oakland, Reds, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago White Sox, Tigers, Twins, Rangers, Angels, Louis Cardinals, White Sox, Cubs, Chicago Cubs, Padres, Orioles, Baltimore, Thomson Locations: Cumberland , Georgia, USA, Truist, Atlanta, York, Denver, Colorado, France, Angeles, New, Manaea, Houston, Minnesota, Detroit, Minneapolis, Texas, Los Angeles, Arlington , Texas, Baltimore

☆ Corey Seager hits two homers as Rangers rip Angels
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

August 16 - Corey Seager homered twice and drove in five runs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win against the Los Angeles Angels in the second game of a three-game set on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Seager went 3-for-5 while Nathaniel Lowe and Ezequiel Duran contributed two hits each for the Rangers, who have won two in a row and 12 of 14. Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery (8-10) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. Cron also had two hits for the Angels, who fell three games under .500 for the first time this season. Grichuk went deep with Cron aboard in the ninth, prompting the Rangers to bring in Will Smith in a non-save situation.

Persons: Corey Seager, Seager, Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran, Jordan Montgomery, Lucas Giolito, Randal Grichuk, Cron, Giolito, Travis Jankowski, Marcus Semien, Jordyn Adams, Jankowski, Luis Rengifo, Montgomery, Seager's, Grichuk, Will Smith, Smith, Matt Thaiss Organizations: Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, Rangers, Louis Cardinals, Angels, Chicago White Sox, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Texas, Los Angeles, Semien, Texas

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