German_Force » setbacks on the game's biggest stage

BOSTON — Chris Sale and David Price are likely to start for the Red Sox in the first two games of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees or Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park.Games 1 and 2 are set for Oct. 5 and 6 and the two left-handers are in line to make those starts — both chasing the first postseason wins (as starters) of their proud careers.Club president Dave Dombrowski revealed on MLB Network Radio that Sale will “be scheduled to start (the opener) Yangervis Solarte Jersey , I don’t think it’ll surprise anybody, the first day of the postseason. I don’t mean to usurp anybody’s announcements, but I think it’s one of those that have been pretty clear.”Article continues below ...Price is a sure bet to start Game 2, especially if it’s the Yankees, thus keeping him from pitching at Yankee Stadium, his house of horrors. If Oakland is the opposition, the door would be open to break up the lefties by having Rick Porcello throw in Game 2.For now, it’s all about getting tuned up, and after Tuesday night’s game was rained out, Price will start the opener of Wednesday’s day/night doubleheader and Sale will work the nightcap.The Orioles, who have already tied the franchise record for losses in a season, will counter with rookie Ryan Meisinger (2-0, 4.50 ERA) in the opener with the Game 2 starter yet to be determined for the starter-short Orioles, who can’t get to Sunday fast enough. Jimmy Yacabonis had been scheduled to start Tuesday.Price is 2-8 lifetime in the postseason. But both wins came in relief http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-randal-grichuk-jersey , where the left-hander has done some dynamic work over the years. Sale was 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts against the Houston Astros in last year’s ALDS.There has been talk — all from the outside — of Price again working out of the bullpen, but there was no indication that would happen.Sale (12-4, 2.00 ERA) is working his way back from two stints on the disabled list from left shoulder inflammation. He has built up from 26 to 42 to 73 pitches, and the hope for this outing in 90-plus.On Monday night, the Red Sox recorded their franchise-record 106th win and locked up home field advantage throughout the postseason with a 6-2 victory over Baltimore.Price, who has more trouble pitching in Yankee Stadium than he does anywhere else, suffered his first loss since the All-Star break last time out, allowing three homers in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Yankees.That dropped Price to 5-1 since the break.Price, 15-7 with a 3.53 ERA overall on the season, is 2-0 against the Orioles in 2018 — two earned runs, 18 strikeouts in 15 innings — and 14-5 with a 2.67 in 27 career starts against the Birds.Sale is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three starts against Baltimore this season, 7-2 with a 2.49 lifetime.Nathan Eovaldi, in line to start Game 4 of the ALDS, was the winner Monday (10 strikeouts) Jose Bautista Jersey , saying, “I definitely feel like we’re the team to beat.”As far as the club breaking a record that was set in 1912, manager Alex Cora said, “It’s unreal. You think about the history of the game and the history of this franchise. To be part of this, I can’t even explain it. Obviously it’s something where we should call time out and enjoy this one.”Monday’s loss was Baltimore’s 111th, which ties the 1939 St. Louis Browns for the most in franchise history.Adam Jones, who refused a deal that could have sent him to a contender at the trade deadline, electing to play out his contract with the Orioles, was in left field Monday night — his first time at the position since Sept. 30, 2007. He was a Seattle Mariner at the time.“It’s coming to an end here. The season ends. My contract ends,” said Jones. “I’m an optimistic person. You never know what could happen. You always got to keep your options open.”Yefry Ramirez, in line to start Wednesday’s finale, won’t make that appearance because of a cut on his hand. The Orioles are hoping to see him pitch before Sunday’s season finale.The Red Sox are 15-2 against the Orioles this season. Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-0 at Dodger Stadium on Friday night to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the National League Division Series.Clayton Kershaw was masterful on the mound, allowing just two hits across eight innings. Kershaw threw only 85 pitchesas the Braves' bats were silenced for a second straight game.The Dodgers Troy Tulowitzki Jersey , meanwhile, had their offense buoyed by a two-run home run from Manny Machado in the first inning and a solo jack off the bat of Yasmani Grandal in the fifth.MLB MLBMANNYWOOD. FngdCtFV7OKershaw Continues to Exorcise Playoff Demons with Dominant Game 2Fair or not, Kershaw has been dogged for years by a narrative that he isn't reliable in the postseason.And sure, there have been ugly moments along the way that leant credence to chatter about his shaky second-season demeanor.But if recent history has been any indication, it's hard to view Kershaw as some kind of playoff liability.Jon Weisman jonweismanI made a chart of all of Clayton Kershaws #Dodgers playoff starts, to show that yes, hes been terrible at times -- but hes also been great. mvNCAtTEU1 t2d6TiH9IcOne year after the southpaw went 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA across six postseason appearances (five starts), he picked up where he left off and made light work of Atlanta's lineup with a brilliant and efficient effort in Game 2.MLB Network MLBNetwork.ClaytonKersh22 was in command tonight. #MLBTonight breaks down the Dodgers Game Two victory, right now! #LADetermined #Postseason 4FP6mXBzuSAnd no, it wasn't a start dominated by overpowering stuff.That isn't Kershaw's M.O. anymore now that his fastball is barely eclipsing 90 mph on average, perFanGraphs.However, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was brilliant in other ways and induced weak contact all night long to frustrate a Braves lineup that ranked fourth among all clubs in hits."I don't care how you get the outs," Kershaw told ESPN.com'sAlden Gonzalezin September. "It doesn't matter to me how bad it looks, how good it looks Marcus Stroman Jersey , how many strikeouts you have. None of that stuff matters as long as you get the outs."The result of that mindset? Thelongestpostseason outing of Kershaw's career and, more importantly, a reminder that L.A. has the National League's most dangerous rotation.Braves' Lineup Showing Youth with Impatience at PlateThe Braves didn't record a single extra-base hit in Thursday night's Game 1 loss, and the results weren't much prettier Friday.Although Ronald Acuna Jr. led off the game with a double, that was the only real damage any Braves batter did against Kershaw.In fact, Kershaw retired 14 straight batters after Acuna's double before Ender Inciarte reached on an infield single with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.Compounding matters was that Atlanta simply didn't make L.A.'s ace work. While the Braves ranked a respectable 12th in weighted on-base average (.319) during the regular season, perFanGraphs, they were consumed by impatience and made life easy for the Dodgers as they hacked away at pitches early in the count and allowed Kershaw to produce quick outs.Bill Plunkett billplunkettocr#Braves are swinging like theyve got a plane to catch. Kershaw has faced 17 batters. Every one of them has swung at the first or second pitch. 5 swung at the 1st pitch, 12 were patient and waited for the 2nd. Result -- #Dodgers Kershaw is thru 5 scoreless IP on 55 pitches.Andy McCullough McCulloughTimesThe scouting report on Clayton Kershaw involves hunting fastballs and sliders up in the zone, early in the count, and looking to elevate. The Braves are just whacking everything into the ground. Six scoreless for Kershaw.As a result, the Braves offense is in a free-fall.And according to ESPN'sSarah Langs, they are the first team since the 1921 New York Giants to open a postseason series with back-to-back scoreless appearances.The Braves should be a force to be reckoned with in the National League for quite some time given the quality of their young core, but they are going to have to deal with a couple of sobering setbacks on the game's biggest stage before they can make another leap.Buehler Can Become Household Name with Big Performance in Decisive Game 3It's hard to grab headlining honors in the Dodgers rotation with Kershaw andHyun-Jin Ryu dealing http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-devon-travis-jersey , but Walker Buehler will have a chance to make himself a household name in Game 3.Just 24 years old, Buehler cemented himself as a core piece of L.A.'s starting staff this season as he rebounded from a forgettable 9.1 innings in 2017 to go 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA and 4.08 strikeout-to-walk rate."If it wasn't for Walker, we probably wouldn't be here in this situation right now," second basemen Enrique Hernandez said, per ESPN.com'sBradford Doolittle."He's been huge."Still, the hype has yet to reach a fever pitch.That can all change, though, if he rolls into hostile territory and leads the Dodgers to a sweep in Game 3.Some rejuvenated Braves bats will likely greet Buehler in Atlanta, but the opportunity will present itself for him to produce what is sure to be the first of many signature moments.What's Next?The series shifts to SunTrust Park in Atlanta as the Dodgers aim to punch their ticket to the NLCS. Game 3 will get underway Sunday at 8:07 p.m. ET.