ASTROS

Astros slugger Yordan Álvarez flew back to Houston for treatment after being placed on the 10-day injured list because of a right hand injury that has gotten worse, according to manager Dusty Baker. Álvarez originally hurt his hand June 18 against the Chicago White Sox and has been dealing with soreness and inflammation since then. The Astros expect him to miss the next two series and possibly return after the All-Star break.

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout has struck out in seven straight at-bats during a tough series in Houston.

Aaron Judge drove a three-run homer in the 10th inning for his second walk-off hit against the Astros in four days, and the New York Yankees recovered after nearly being no-hit for the second consecutive game to beat Houston 6-3 for a four-game split between the AL's top teams. Giancarlo Stanton ended a historic hitless drought for New York with a one-out homer in the seventh inning, and DJ LeMahieu followed with a tying two-run drive in the eighth. After Michael King stranded the bases loaded in the 10th, Isiah Kiner-Falefa dropped a two-strike bunt that moved automatic runner Aaron Hicks to third.

London's Rylan Freeman had a Father's Day to remember after catching the first major league home run hit by former Hooks first baseman J.J. Matijevic.

Astros reliever Héctor Neris whizzed a pitch at Mariners slugger Ty France, and Seattle manager Scott Servais led his team toward a melee at home plate. Both sides shoved and shouted — except for cool-headed 21-year-old Julio Rodriguez, who wrapped up Neris in his arms and pulled him safely away from the scuffle. Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning moments after Servais was ejected for his role in a benches-clearing fracas, Cal Raleigh added a career-high four RBIs and the Mariners beat Houston 7-4 Monday night.

Carlos Correa stood on the steps of the dugout watching as Yuli Gurriel grounded out to end Game 6 of the World Series before slowly walking away and heading into Houston's clubhouse for what could be the last time. Atlanta’s 7-0 win over the Astros to win the World Series on Tuesday night could mark the end of an era in Houston. After losing Gerrit Cole and George Springer in free agency the last two years, Houston now faces the distinct possibility that Correa will soon be gone, too.

Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros broke out the bats just in time to extend this World Series.

They went from town to town, night after night bearing all the fresh taunts, derision, bean balls, mockery, hatred, and trash cans thrown at them.

When Houston Astros superfan Esmeralda Anguiano saw tickets to Game 2 of the World Series being offered for $500 each, she jumped at the opportunity.

If the Astros win the World Series, buyers win free mattresses—and Mattress Mack cashes the biggest winning ticket in sports-betting history.

Freddie Freeman swinging onto baseball’s biggest stage for the first time, Jose Altuve & Co. back for more. Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez and a fresh set of Houston arms facing

Houston's pitching staff will need to adjust quickly after allowing 25 runs and 32 hits to Boston in the first three games of the AL Championship Series, a barrage that made the loss of injured Lance McCullers Jr. seem acute. Kyle Schwarber hit Boston’s third grand slam in an 11-inning span, a drive off starter José Urquidy as part of a six-run second inning in Monday night's 12-3 rout that gave the Red Sox a 2-1 series lead. Boston hit four home runs, raising its total to nine off Astros pitching, which has a 7.96 ERA.

The Dodgers are ready to start ace Max Scherzer in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta, a day after manager Dave Roberts scratched the veteran right-hander to get him an extra day of rest.

Houston starter Luis García left Game 2 of the AL Championship Series in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox with an apparent injury.

The Astros are facing renewed suspicions over sign stealing two years after being punished by the league for a scandal during their 2017 World Series run.

Matt Olson and Chad Pinder each homered and the Oakland Athletics beat Houston 8-6 Friday night, cutting the Astros’ edge for home-field advantage in the AL playoffs. Houston leads the White Sox by one game for home field in their best-of-five Division Series matchup next week. The AL West champion Astros also own the tiebreaker after going 5-2 against AL Central champion Chicago this season.

Atlanta can clinch its fourth consecutive NL East title Thursday night with a win at home over Philadelphia, which would complete a three-game sweep of their high-stakes series.

Jake Meyers had the last of three singles as part of Houston’s eighth-inning rally against former teammate Joe Smith, scoring Kyle Tucker with the go-ahead run and sending the Astros over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Monday night. Dylan Moore had a pinch-hit, two-run homer for Seattle in the sixth for a 3-2 lead.

On Tuesday night, a 17-year-old was shot in the head. Police reported he had died but later said he was on life support.

Jill Biden is playing offense in the fight against COVID-19.

Jake Arrieta pitches against the World Series champion Dodgers on Friday, one night after Zach Davies and three Cubs relievers combined for the majors' seventh no-hitter this year to match the most in a season since 1900.

A tense moment at Wednesday night’s ballgame between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers resulted in a brawl and injuries.

Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy pitched three scoreless innings in a rehab start with the Hooks at Whataburger Field.

First-year Tigers manager A.

First-year Tigers manager A.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. walks out to the infield for the national anthem before Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)HOUSTON – Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said he had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as the team began spring training Thursday. But the 71-year-old Baker, who is Black, understands the reticence of some in his community to get the vaccine because of this country’s history with medical studies on Black people without permission. “I was very aware of the experiment and so was my mom and dad,” Baker said. Though Baker decided getting the vaccine was right for him, he won’t try to change the mind of people who are “staunchly against” getting it.

(AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)HOUSTON – Catcher Jason Castro has agreed to a $7 million, two-year contract with the Houston Astros, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced. Castro played for both the Angels and the Padres last season where he appeared in 27 games and hit .188 with two homers and nine RBIs. He spent the previous three seasons with the Twins where he played 208 games and hit .229. Castro had his best years with the Astros where he 617 games and was named to the All-Star game in 2013.

A slow free agent market saw only 21 of 181 players who became free agents following the World Series enter Tuesday with finalized agreements. Toronto has been linked to most of the top free agents this winter, but now has the one it wanted most. It's not clear where the Blue Jays will begin the 2021 season. The Blue Jays have had to overpay free agents to play in Canada before, but the Springer contract will be just the second $100 million-plus deal in team history. Vernon Wells and the Blue Jays agreed to a $126 million, seven-year contract in 2006.

The Rays will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves in the World Series in Arlington, Texas, starting Tuesday night. Tampa Bay’s only other World Series appearance was in 2008, when it lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Boston went on to win its first World Series in 86 seasons. Morton and McCullers became the first pair to pitch in the same winner-take-all postseason game as teammates and later start against each other in a winner-take-all game. HOMER RECORDArozarena is only one homer away from matching the major league record of eight homers in any single postseason.

Houston chased starter Blake Snell in the fifth before Springer hit a go-ahead, two-run single and scored on Altuve’s double. The Red Sox stunned the New York Yankees to win the ALCS before winning their first World Series in 86 seasons. Game 7 on Saturday night will feature the pitchers who started and finished Houston’s Game 7 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will go for the Astros while 36-year-old Charlie Morton is expected to start for the Rays. As a player, he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series in 1981 against the New York Yankees.

FILE- In this July 24, 2020, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Houston. The Astros announced Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, that Verlander needs Tommy John surgery and could miss the entire 2021 season. “I tried as hard as I could to come back and play this season,” Verlander said. “First of all, you can’t replace Justin Verlander,” Click said. “No one person can replace Justin Verlander.

The Washington Nationals play the New York Mets during the third inning of a baseball game at Citi Field Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in New York. Michael Conforto and the Mets will start making up the misses this week. The Astros, meanwhile, have reshuffled their series against Mike Trout and the Angels because of Tropical Storm Laura. Chatwood is lined up to start the game at Detroit and Quintana will begin his return in the bullpen. Their weekend series at Citi Field was wiped out when two members of the Mets organization tested positive for the virus.

HOUSTON Benches cleared Tuesday night in the first game between the Astros and Dodgers since it was revealed that Houston stole signs en route to a 2017 World Series championship that came at Los Angeles' expense. The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. There were two outs in the inning when Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correas head. Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear. Order was restored after a couple of minutes, but Houston manager Dusty Baker was still upset before play resumed and got in the face on an umpire.

WASHINGTON Baseball's two World Series finalists canceled workouts Monday because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the baseball season. The defending champion Washington Nationals and reigning American League champion Houston Astros each called off training camp practices after not receiving test results from Friday. Two Nationals players were among the 31 to test positive during intake testing last week. Manager Dave Martinez said Sunday some of the 60 Nationals players tested were still awaiting results. Its just, the front end is taking longer than I think it will throughout the year.Not every team is dissatisfied with the testing process.

NEW YORK The Detroit Tigers took a few more big swings at rebuilding their lineup. Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler led off the draft's second day as the No. 3 overall pick to the Marlins, and they followed with Oklahoma high school lefty Daxton Fulton (No. 1 overall pick for the second time in three years, after taking Auburn right-hander Casey Mize in 2018. With their potential future ace already sailing through the farm system, the Tigers turned to bats this time.

(CNN) - Houston furniture mogul Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale had a lot riding on Game 7 of the World Series, whether his beloved Astros won or lost. Despite the huge amount involved, McIngvale told CNN that he's not a big gambler -- the mega bets were more of an insurance policy. He had promised to give customers who spent more than $3,000 on certain mattress purchases a full refund if the Astros won the World Series. McIngvale said that if the Astros had won, his winnings would have covered the cost of his customers' free mattresses. The promotion was a huge success and McIngvale said thousands of customers would have gotten free mattresses if the Astros won.

The Washington Nationals are World Series champs! However, after slamming the Astros and earning three runs in the seventh inning, they added to their lead in the eighth and hammered them again in the ninth to become this year's World Series champions. #WorldSeries Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) October 31, 2019The best team in baseball have just run into a force of nature. During last year's World Series, Boston Red Sox superfan Mark Wahlberg made a bet with Alex Rodriguez ahead of his team beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a five-game series. Mark Wahlberg Wins Hilarious World Series Bet With Alex RodriguezRELATED CONTENT:Kate Upton Claps Back at 'Misogynist' Remarks About Her Commentary on World Series Game 6 CallMark Wahlberg Wins World Series Bet With Alex Rodriguez and You Won't Believe What He Made Him DoET's Mary Hart Shares the Plan Behind Her Viral Dodgers World Series Dance (Exclusive)

Astros fans really know how to bring it and a perfect example is a woman who improvised when she really wanted to cheer but didn't have a rally towel. Jacqueline Robles posted a video on Facebook Monday that she said she'd found going viral on Instagram. "No rally towel, no problem," Robles wrote in her post. She appears to have blond hair but in the spirit of cheering for her favorite team, she rips her wig off her head and twirls it over her head like a rally towel. Astros fans, this is the energy we need to bring Wednesday night for Game 2 against the Washington Nationals!

HOUSTON - Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale adds another million-dollar bet on the Astros to win the World Series. The Action Network reported this bet brings McIngvales total wagers to more than $8.25 million. If the Astros win, this wager would profit over half a million dollars and Mattress Mack would net more than $15 million. According to the betting news website, McIngvale has wagered on the Astros to win the World Series before Game 6 in Houston. According to Apex Marketing Group, the Gallery Furniture owner has received slightly more than $5 million in value from the media coverage of his bets.

HOUSTON - Abigail Arias, a 6-year-old girl battling cancer, was invited to meet her hero, Astros star Jose Altuve, ahead of the World Series Game 1 on Tuesday. The police department announced the invite on Facebook, saying: "The Freeport Police Department wishing our Astros good luck as they go after the World Series title. Our Officer Abigail has been invited to meet her hero Jose Altuve before the game tonight. The Freeport Police Department wishing our Astros good luck as they go after the World Series title. Ruben Arias posted the following: "Thank you to Jose Altuve for taking the time to meet with Abigail.

NEW YORK (AP) - Justin Verlander watched and waited, hoping Aaron Hicks' drive deep down the right field line would hook foul at the last instant. Houston still headed home this weekend with a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven playoff - and one more ace up its sleeve. October star Gerrit Cole would be ready on full rest if the series goes to a deciding Game 7. Comforting thought for the Astros as they seek a second trip to the World Series in three years. And even to get that far, the Yankees need to win Game 6 at Minute Maid Park, where both teams figure to go with bullpen games on the mound.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Finally, after 15 frustrating seasons, the Washington Nationals are going to the baseball mountaintop -- the World Series -- for the very first time. Now the team will sit back and wait to see which American League team they'll face. The Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series and then steamrolled the Cardinals. The only other baseball franchise to never appear in the World Series: the Seattle Mariners. They won the World Series last year, defeating the Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Paramedic Brian Cariota was in the dugout when Michael Brantley hit a sharp line drive in the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. The ball struck Cariota in the head. "The doctors are not concerned.Cori Cariota said she was watching the game and saw her husband fist bump George Springer before it happened. The game resumed after a couple of minutes and Brantley struck out but reached first on a wild pitch by Adam Ottavino. After the game, Brantley said his thoughts and prayers were with the man and his family, and that he hopes to speak with him soon.

(CNN) - A little more than two months after a 2-year-old girl was struck by a foul ball at an Astros game, the MLB club announced Thursday it will extend the netting at Minute Maid Park in Houston. In a press release, the Astros said the protective material will go farther down the left-field and right-field lines to cover more seats. "Fan experience is always a top priority for the Astros," the team said in a statement. Calls for increased fan safety at ballparks began in May when a foul ball hit the girl during a game between the Chicago Cubs and Astros at Minute Maid Park. Last year, Major League Baseball announced that all 30 ballparks were extending protective netting to at least the far ends of both dugouts, though there are clubs that go beyond those guidelines.