LEADING OFF: Bregman crushing in the clutch, Kershaw vs Cubs
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
CLUTCH CITY
Alex Bregman is red-hot at the plate as the Astros travel to Tampa Bay for a four-game series, and he's been especially good late in games. Bregman has homered in three straight, including a game-ending two-run shot Wednesday to cap Houston's rally from five runs down against Toronto. That was the second walk-off hit this month for Bregman, who also had a game-ending single in Game 5 of last year's World Series. Bregman is 9 for 17 with three homers and five doubles since shaving his mustache midway through a game Sunday.
TAKE TWO
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw looks to sharpen his stuff against the Cubs in his second start since ending a DL stint for a lower back strain. Kershaw stumbled through three innings against the Mets last Saturday after surprisingly nixing a scheduled minor league rehab assignment, though Los Angeles beat New York 8-3 that day behind stellar relief work from rookie Caleb Ferguson. The 21-year-old left-hander is set to follow Kershaw again against Chicago. Kershaw acknowledged feeling some rust at Citi Field, when he was limited to 55 pitches. He's hoping to go deeper and pitch more effectively this time at Dodger Stadium.
BOSIO FIRED
The Tigers fired pitching coach Chris Bosio on Wednesday, saying he made insensitive comments to another employee of the team. General manager Al Avila said Bosio made the comments recently and they were brought to Avila's attention Tuesday. Avila decided Wednesday to terminate Bosio's contract after the team investigated the situation and spoke to all of the people involved. Detroit promoted bullpen coach Rick Anderson to replace Bosio. Roving pitching instructor A.J. Sager will be the team's bullpen coach until Triple-A Toledo pitching coach Jeff Pico takes his place next week. The Tigers are set to wrap a four-game series against Oakland.
ANOTHER SHOT AT NOLA
The Nationals try to solve the Phillies' Aaron Nola five days after the right-hander won a 5-3 decision in Washington. Nola (9-2, 2.58) allowed two runs, four hits and three walks over six innings while striking out five in that game. Nola is fifth in the NL in ERA, and only Mets ace Jacob deGrom has allowed fewer home runs per nine innings than Nola (0.53) among qualified NL starters.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
-
Three reasons why Cubs' Shōta Imanaga might be biggest steal from free agency
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Who deserves No. 1 spot as Dodgers tumble?
20 Best pitchers in MLB 2024: Ranking the top 20 starters
-
MLB progress report: 1 early flaw with each of baseball's best teams
2024 World Series odds: Dodgers, Braves still at the top; Orioles rising
2024 MLB predictions by Ben Verlander: Standings, playoffs, World Series
-
Ranking the 10 best shortstops in MLB 2024
Shōta Imanaga, Colton Cowser headline MLB's 10 best rookies
Ranking the 10 best first basemen in MLB 2024
-
Three reasons why Cubs' Shōta Imanaga might be biggest steal from free agency
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Who deserves No. 1 spot as Dodgers tumble?
20 Best pitchers in MLB 2024: Ranking the top 20 starters
-
MLB progress report: 1 early flaw with each of baseball's best teams
2024 World Series odds: Dodgers, Braves still at the top; Orioles rising
2024 MLB predictions by Ben Verlander: Standings, playoffs, World Series
-
Ranking the 10 best shortstops in MLB 2024
Shōta Imanaga, Colton Cowser headline MLB's 10 best rookies
Ranking the 10 best first basemen in MLB 2024