Astros can make history if Bregman wins MVP

Alex Bregman will try to give the Houston Astros an unprecedented sweep. If the All-Star slugger is selected the American League’s Most Valuable Player when voting results are announced Thursday, the Astros will become the first team to have an MVP, Cy Young Award winner and Rookie of the Year in the same...

Astros’ Verlander, Mets’ deGrom win 2nd Cy Young Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander has a second AL Cy Young Award — and a clear path paved toward Cooperstown. Verlander beat out Houston Astros teammate Gerrit Cole in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revealed Wednesday night. Verlander got 17 first-place votes to 13...

Kapler says he didn’t do enough for alleged assault victim

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — New San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday that he should have sought the guidance of experts four years ago when dealing with a 17-year-old girl who contacted him about an assault reportedly witnessed by Los Angeles Dodgers minor leaguers. The teen later accused one...

Jacob deGrom of New York Mets wins second straight NL Cy Young Award

Giants hire Gabe Kapler as manager to replace Bruce Bochy

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gabe Kapler might need years to match the popularity of his predecessors with the San Francisco Giants. Farhan Zaidi believes he will get there eventually. Kapler has been hired as San Francisco’s manager a month after being fired from the same job by the Philadelphia Phillies....

Reno Aces extending protective netting to foul poles

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The Reno Aces have announced plans to extend protective netting from foul pole to foul pole at the downtown stadium that serves as home to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. Aces President Eric Edelstein said Wednesday that safety is the...

Wainwright guaranteed $5M by Cards, can earn $5M for starts

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright is guaranteed $5 million in his one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and can earn up to $5 million in performance bonuses, which allows the pitcher to match his 2019 earnings. That is up from a $2 million guarantee in his 2019 deal, in which he earned an...

Acing it: Success of Nats, Astros puts attention on starters

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Washington went against baseball's trend toward bulked-up bullpens, dedicating 39% of its payroll to three starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. The trio triumphed, lifting the Nationals to the first World Series title in the team's 51-season...

San Francisco Giants hire Gabe Kapler as manager weeks after he was fired by the Philadelphia Phillies

Shildt wins NL Manager of the Year days after mom's death

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Shildt began his life in baseball at his mom's side, tagging along with her to work at a Double-A ballpark and picking up odd jobs around the clubhouse. When Shildt was recognized Tuesday night for the career that has followed, the late Lib Shildt was the first thing on his mind. "My...