Fridays start against the Phillies marks the third different decade in which Justin Verlander has started Game 1 of the World Series. He started the 2006 World Series opener for the Tigers, then had the honor again in 2012.Its really a remarkable feat. It's safe to Christian Yelich Jersey say, though, that hed probably prefer not to repeat either of those outings, a combined 11 earned runs in nine innings pitched. In fact, he hasnt fared very well in any of his seven World Series starts, going 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA.I would like to get a win, yeah, Verlander said Thursday. I mean, Im not going to like I said, that's not my goal, so I dont want to say that that feels like its lacking because innately that would make it a particular goal of mine. My goal is to go out and give us the best chance to win. If that ends up resulting in a win, great. Ive been a part of games that I pitched and started that we won in the World Series, which is more important than getting the win.FOSTER: The Game 1 start in 2012 was especially painful.His Tigers were the clear favorites that year against the Giants, thanks in large part to the Detroit rotation that included Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez. Verlander had authored an incredible 2011 season, winning both the AL Cy Young award and the AL MVP the first starting pitcher to win the MVP in either league since Roger Clemens in 1986 and followed up with a stellar 2012 season that would land him second in the Cy Young voting, though the awards werent revealed until after the postseason.He was baseballs best starting pitcher, and he was mowing down opponents in the postseason. Hed made three starts to that October, allowing just 10 hits and five walks in 24 2/3 innings, with 25 strikeouts. Detroit had won all three of those games. So, yeah, there was nobody Hernan Perez Jersey else the Tigers would have wanted on the mound in the most important game of the year, especially on the road, where Detroit had just a .469 winning percentage, as compared with .617 at home.Who knew the guy nicknamed Kung Fu Panda was secretly his kryptonite?Verlander gave up two home runs to Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval in the first three innings; the first, a solo shot on an 0-2 pitch, the second of the opposite field two-run variety. Only one player all season had homered twice off Verlander in the same game Desmond Jennings of the Rays and only two had done it in 2011.Sandoval would hit yet another homer after Verlander departed, having allowed five runs in just four innings. Sandoval became just the fourth player ever to hit three home runs in a World Series game Babe Ruth, in 1926 and 1928, Reggie Jackson in 1977 and Albert Pujols in 2011. Those three round-trippers helped lead the Giants to a stunning Game 1 victory. San Francisco never let go of that momentum, rolling to a sweep of Detroit.I just didnt execute tonight, especially to Pablo, .Sandoval was a fan favorite in San Francisco, thanks to his big smile and atypical ballplayer physique think John Kruk, not Gabe Kapler and he could absolutely carry his team for stretches when he caught fire at the plate. Power was there, but wasnt a huge part of his everyday skill set. In 442 plate appearances in 2012, Sandoval hit just 12 home runs, sandwiched between 20-plus homer seasons in 2011 and 2013.But to get the true story of that stunning Game 1 turn of events, you have to go back a few months, to the 2012 All-Star Game.In the current setup, the team with the best regular-season record gets home-field advantage in the World Series. Thats why Verlanders Astros (106 regular-season wins) get Games 1-2 and 6-7 (if nece sary) at home Stephen Vogt Jersey instead of the Phillies (87 wins). But, as you know, it wasnt always the case.For most of baseball history, home-field advantage alternated year to year. Then, after the infamous tie at the 2002 All-Star Game, an embarra sed Bud Selig who will ever forget him throwing up his arms as they tried to figure out the next step? used his powers as commi sioner to make the All-Star Game count and gave home-field advantage in the World Series to the league that won the All-Star Game.It was a horrible idea from the very moment it was conceived the All-Star Game has always been an exhibition to showcase the sports best players, and its not managed solely to win but it was the rule for 14 years. Included in that stretch: the 2012 All-Star Game.MEET THE MASCOTS: | So what happened during the 2012 All-Star Game that made the World Series start in San Francisco? Glad you asked.Verlander started the game for the AL. Wanting to give the fans a little extra entertainment, and knowing hed pitch two innings at the very most, Verlander put a little extra giddy-up on his fastball, with the radar gun showing triple digits five times in the first inning. Now, that might not seem like much in 2022, but it was truly eye-popping in 2012.It also was not how Verlander was used to pitching, and he had trouble locating that big fastball. He admitted after the game that he had trouble keeping the ball down in the zone.But I had fun," . Thats why I dont try to throw 100 in the first inning. But this is for the fans. It doesnt usually work out too well for me.Helping that not work out Manny Pina Jersey too well? Yep, three Giants batters.With one out, Melky Cabrera who would get suspended for PED use later that season singled he scored on a double by Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun. A couple batters later, Buster Posey walked to load the bases.Then, Sandoval stepped to the plate, and this happened.Sandoval narrowly mi sed a grand slam, settling for a triple. Hed quickly score on a single by Dan Uggla. Verlander gave up only two triples the entire 2012 season. Sandoval hit only two. So, yeah, that was an unlikely combo."I don't get many triples," Sandoval . "We had some fun with that in the dugout.Thanks to that five-run inning off Verlander he only allowed five earned runs in a game three times Orlando Arcia Jersey all season in 2012, and not once all in the same inning the NL went on to win 8-0. Which meant the NL had home-field advantage. Which meant that the three Giants players who accounted for all five runs basically gave themselves Game 1 in San Francisco.Did we mention the Tigers won 50 games at home and only 38 on the road?But lets get back to Sandoval. Think about this: He had three at-bats against Peak Justin Verlander that year, and he went 3-for-3 with a triple and two home runs. If he made an out even once, its reasonable to think the Tigers could have won the World Series.The first-inning homer might have been just one run, but to get to the best starting pitcher in baseball that quickly in the opening game of the World Series? Yeah, that mattered.MORE: The third-inning home run was even more important, bu

Dodgers LHP Anderson eyes rotation spot, championship chase March Ryan Braun Jersey 20 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Tyler Anderson might become a starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers it's why the 32-year-old left-hander's deal was a no-brainer to manager Dave Roberts.A few days into his $8 million, one-year contract, the veteran has a different opportunity in mind.Its a chance to win," he said Sunday at Dodgers camp. Its a chance to be part of something special. ... Look around. Theres a lot of history in these uniforms."Anderson hasn't pitched much in the postseason. His resume includes seven innings spanning two outings with the Colorado Rockies in 2017 and '18.The Dodgers enter the 2022 season with soaring expectations, especially after signing five-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman to a $162 million, six-year deal. Anderson signed a day later.Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias are projected to lead Los Angeles' rotation. There's uncertainty about who will fill out the five-man rotation, and Anderson is a po sibility along with Andrew Heaney, Tony Gonsolin and David Price.We talked a little bit about it, but not much." Anderson said. I just want to go to work and do whatever I have to."Anderson started 31 games last year for Pittsburgh and Seattle.Andersons experience as a starter includes 2021, a season split between Pittsburgh and Seattle. He started 31 times, a number that matches his new Dodgers jersey number. Orlando Arcia Jersey Roberts likes that Anderson is familiar in the role.He is a starter, Roberts said.An abbreviated spring training schedule due to baseball's lockout limits the work that pitchers can do. Roberts said no team can be sure of their pitching when the season begins in early April.The pitching, were going to take it day by day, and not push those guys, Roberts said. Industry-wide, there might be a couple outliers, where a guy is built up and ready to go five innings."But acro s the board, I dont know. its going to be a job by committee-type-of thing. Three to four innings are going to be more common, certainly for us, and acro s baseball.Left-hander Danny Duffy, who re-signed with the Dodgers on Thursday, said he doesnt expect to be ready to pitch until late June or early July. Duffy, a former starter with the Kansas City Royals, Robin Yount Jersey is recovering from surgery for a tendon injuryThis year, Im going to be pitching from the bullpen, Duffy said. A year from now, maybe we can go back and look at starting.NOTES: Roberts says Freeman might make his spring training debut in a Dodgers uniform Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch. He expects Mookie Betts to make his first appearance on Tuesday or Wednesday. The Dodgers play the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday, also at Camelback Ranch. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports in this topic Major League Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Tony Gonsolin Danny Duffy Clayton Kershaw David Price Julio Uras Andrew Heaney Walker Buehler Mookie Betts Freddie Freeman Los Angeles Dodgers Jesus Aguilar Jersey Colorado Rockies share Mbapp is bringing soccer to a new dimension at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldos precision 21 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Poland finds its true level at World Cup, beaten by the best Poland heads home from the World Cup as the latest team unable to resist an inspired Kylian Mbapp 21 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me Eric Thames Jersey si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

The extended their majors-leading winning streak to 12 games on Friday night, knocking off the 8-3 ( ). Mark Melancon Jersey The Mariners are now 49-42 on the season, giving them a half-game lead over the for the American League's second wild card spot. (The expanded postseason means the Blue Jays would also qualify for the playoffs if they started tomorrow.)The Mariners controlled most of Friday's game. Seattle built a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning and later extended it to 4-0 in the fifth. The Rangers would chip away at that margin with home runs from (making it 4-1) and (4-3) over the course of the next few innings. It wouldn't Austin Riley Jersey matter. Rookie sensation Julio Rodrguez hit his first career grand slam in the eighth, putting Seattle up 8-3: . is ready for the Home Run Eddie Mathews Jersey Derby Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) Rodrguez is the first Mariners player who is 21-years old or younger to hit a grand slam since Alex Rodriguez did it on July 6, 1996, . Coincidentally, A-Rod's grand slam also came against the Rangers. The Mariners also received a quality start from reigning AL Cy Young Award recipient . He delivered 6 innings, Ronald Acuna Jr. Jersey surrendering three runs on six hits while i suing no walks and striking out 12 batters. That strikeout total matches his season-high, previously set on July 3 against the .This stretch marks just the fourth time in franchise history the Mariners have won 10 or more consecutive games. They previously authored 10-game winning streaks during both the 1996 and 2002 seasons. Their only winning streak longer than the current one occurred during their 116-win 2001 campaign, when they reeled off a 15-game winning streak from May 23 until June 8. Josh Donaldson Jersey The , the other team with an active 10-plus-game winning streak, .

Padres give Hader break from closer role after shaky outings August 20 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink SAN DIEGO (AP) The Padres are giving reliever Josh Hader a break from Chipper Jones Jersey the closer role after ninth-inning meltdowns on Thursday and Friday resulted San Diego lo ses.Padres manager Bob Melvin said before Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals that the left-handed Hader would be given time to try to work out his i sues.We will probably give him a break from that (closer) in the interim here, let him work on some things, Melvin said. But, our best team, obviously, is with Josh Hader in the closers role and thats why we got him. So, we will give him a little break for now.Melvin said the Padres closer role would be based on matchups game by game, basically closer by committee. With Hader out as closer for now, the role will may likely be shared by Padres right-handers Luis Garcia and Robert Suarez and lefties Adrian Morejon and Nick Martinez.At 66-56, San Diego enters Saturdays game battling for the third and final National League wild-card spot. Since the trade deadline, the Padres Brandon McCarthy Jersey are 6-10, and 25-32 in their past 57 games. Hader, who was acquired from Milwaukee on August 1st for four San Diego players, including then Padres closer Taylor Rogers, ha struggled since the move. He has been on the mound when the game-winning run for the opponent has scored in each of his last three appearances, and he has allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings with San Diego. Theres a standard that I hold myself to and thats not result-based, but more executing pitches and Sean Newcomb Jersey getting into a place where I feel dominant, Hader said after Friday nights outing in which he failed to record an out while walking a batter, making a throwing error and surrendering a two-run homer to rookie Alex Call. All the external things dont affect anything. I go and do my work ... just continue to move forward, learn from the mistakes. After bursting onto the scene a few years ago for his ability to pitch effectively in just about any relief situation, even going multiple innings at times, Hader had been used pretty almost exclusively as a ninth-inning closer with the Brewers since 2020, at his request. The Padres put him in on Thursday with runners on base, which he rarely did the last few years in Milwaukee.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports in this topic National League National League National League Major League Baseball Major League Baseball Major League Baseball San Diego Padres Jared Shuster Jersey San Diego Padres San Diego Padres Josh Hader Josh Hader Josh Hader Josh Hader Adrian Morejon Washington Nationals San Diego Padres share World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 22 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 26 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Austin Riley Jersey Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 50 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ottawa hosts Los Angeles after Giroux's 2-goal game The Ottawa Senators host the Los Angeles Kings after Claude Giroux's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Senators' 5-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Penguins host the Blue Jackets following Kapanen's hat trick The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Kasperi Kapanen's hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Penguins' 6-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

The extra-innings ghost-runner rule may not be going away just yet. MLB and the MLBPA are discu sing bringing the rule, which places a runner at second base at the beginning of every half-inning after the ninth inning, back as part of the league's health and safety protocols for the 2022 season, .No agreement has been reached on the tiebreaker rule or the healthy and safety protocols in general, though several players told Gelb and Stark they expect the rule to return in 2022. and the MLBPA agreed to do away with the rule, as well as seven-inning doubleheader games, as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. The healthy and safety protocols are expected to be announced later Kendrys Morales Jersey this week. CBS Sports HQ Newsletter Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Also on Monday, Major League Baseball announced a series of rule changes will be tested in the minor leagues this season. Almost all the rule changes, or some variant of Jed Lowrie Jersey the rule changes, were tested in one minor league or at one level of the minors last year, and are being expanded on this year."Given the positive results of recent years, we are continuing to prioritize the kinds of experimental rules that many baseball fans routinely discu s and want to learn more about," Michael Hill, MLB's senior vice president of on-field operations, said in a statement. "The testing throughout the Minors will provide us with more valuable feedback and data that can be taken into consideration." Here are the rules that will be tested in the minors this season:Pitch timer: Timers will be used at every level. MLB has tested pitch clocks at different levels using different time limits over the years, including a 17-second clock in Low-A last season. MLB is said to be seeking a 14-second pitch clock with the Oakland Athletics Jersey bases empty and a 19-second pitch clock with men on base at the big-league level in 2023.Larger bases: Bases will be increased from 15 inches by 15 inches to 18 inches by 18 inches at every level. The larger bases were used at Triple-A last season. The intention is cutting down on collisions and injuries, and and promoting aggre sive baserunning by shortening the distance between bases. This is another rule MLB would like implemented in the majors in 2023.Defensive position: Otherwise known as a ban on field shifts. At Double-A, High-A, and Low-A, the defense must keep four players on the infield with two completely on either side of second base. Last year different versions of the shift ban were tested at Double-A, including keeping four fielders on the infield without mandating which side of the second base they could play. Automated strike zone: The automated ball-strike (ABS) technology will be used in "select games" at Triple-A and Low-A. In Low-A, there will be "challenge" games with a human umpire in which the pitcher, catcher, and batter can appeal the umpire's call to ABS. Each team will receive three challenges per game and retain any succe sful appeals. Baseball's replay proce s can be tedious, though the appeal to ABS should only take about five seconds."This year's set of experimental rules was informed and we believe improved by the feedback of players, staff, umpires and fans, as well as by analysis of the impacts of last year's tests," Theo Epstein, a consultant to MLB, said in a statement. "We are excited to roll out the improved rule experiments to a bigger population of minor league players in an effort to ensure that any potential new regulations fulfill their objectives of creating more action, athleticism and a better style of play."As well, the league is also a testing a new set of rules in the MLB-partnered Atlantic League, which has served as a rules laboratory of sorts in recent seasons: Adjusted "double-hook" designated hitter rule: Last season, Atlantic League lineups lost their DH when the starting pitcher was removed from Robbie Grossman Jersey the game. This season, however, teams will be able to keep the DH for the entirety of the game in question so long as that team's starting pitcher works at least five innings. This is, obviously, designed to promote longer outings by starting pitchers.Dropped-pitch rule: This brings back a wrinkle that was in place during the second half of the 2019 Atlantic League season. Batters may advance to first base on any pitch that the catcher fails to secure, not just a dropped third strike. They can also advance even if first base is occupied. Batters that succe sfully reach first base on such a play will be credited with a hit.Of these experiments, Michael Hill, MLB's Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, said: "Given the positive results of recent years, we are continuing to prioritize the kinds of experimental rules that many baseball fans routinely discu s and want to learn more about. Testing in the Atlantic League and throughout the Minors will provide us with more valuable feedback and data that can be taken into consideration." As part of the new collective bargaining agreement MLB and the MLBPA created a new rules committee to explore and propose rule changes. The committee will include four active players, one umpire, and six people appointed by MLB. The league has the majority and will be Jurickson Profar Jersey able to ram through any rule changes, though they must be made with at least 45 days notice in the offseason.

When Major League Baseball returned to play in July, it was the only major American profe sional sports league committed to traveling amid the . Other sports leagues like the WNBA, and MLS determined that Rickey Henderson Jersey a one-location bubble setup was the right choice for their return-to-play plans.While took and decided to , shortly after the 2020 season began, there was a among the . The St. Louis also suffered from an outbreak and both Mark McGwire Jersey put the MLB season in jeopardy. All in all, the league was forced to due to positive COVID-19 cases. . But now, the league could be changing its plans when it comes to the 2020 postseason. , MLB is exploring bubble site options for the month-long playoffs in October. The Matt Chapman Jersey league has explored hosting the American League in southern California and the National League in Texas, with the World Series po sibly held at the ' , per Rosenthal. Rosenthal didn't clarify which specific ballparks in each warm-weather state would be used. In California, there's Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Petco Park in San Diego and Angel Stadium in Anaheim. In Texas, it's Minute Maid Park in Houston and Globe Life Field in Arlington.The bubble approach would help minimize the the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak that would Stephen Piscotty Jersey wreak havoc over the tournament's schedule and competitive integrity. Baseball's postseason also coincides with the onset of flu season, so there is added incentive to determine a safe option for Chad Pinder Jersey isolating its players. The league is continuing discu sions about the options with the MLB Players A sociation, Rosenthal adds. The final plan is subject to ownership approval. Before the start of this 60-game regular season, . Sixteen teams will make the playoffs this year, including the first- and second-place finishers in each division.

The have agreed to a one-year contract worth $13 million to bring back free-agent designated hitter , . . Here's what we wrote:Cruz turned 40 in July, but you wouldn't have known it based on his offensive output. There Michael Brantley Jersey 's a natural tension between his age and his future prospects that's likely to leave him undervalued. He still clobbers the ball; he still walks; and he still is a positive force in the clubhouse. The closest thing to an age-related sign of decay is either a slight uptick in whiffs or a drop in exit velocity that left him in, uh, the 87th percentile. Cruz is mortal; he's going to stop hitting at some point, voluntarily or otherwise Joe Carter Jersey . But golly, sometimes it doesn't feel like that's true.Cruz, 40, will return as Minnesota's designated Leonys Martin Jersey hitter for the 2021 season. It'll be his third year with the reigning AL Central champions. Over the past two seasons with the Twins, Cruz has recorded a .308/.394/.626 (163 ) slash line with 57 home runs, 32 doubles and 141 RBI in 173 games. Cruz is entering his 17th season after having spent time with the (2005), (2006-13), (2014) and (2015-18). Jim Thome Jersey The six-time All Star and four-time Silver Slugger has 417 career home runs over 1,742 games. WAS DH #23 G53BA0.303R33HR16RBI33 *Stats from 2020 season As Pa san notes, Major League Baseball and the Major League Players' A sociation have still yet to come to an agreement on the decision of a universal designated hitter for the upcoming season, and although a return to Brad Miller Jersey Minnesota was expected for Cruz this winter, the lack of resolution on the i sue three weeks before spring training begins certainly had an impact on the signing. The universal DH was implemented in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. . The Twins also signed left-hander J.A. Happ and shortstop this winter.

Well, baseball fans, we've almost made it. Wednesday meant it was now le s than one week until to camp for Michael Brantley Jersey many . Plus, Tuesday night was explosive with the for and in a three-team deal that also involved the . L.A. and to the .The focus now shifts to the remaining free agents, starting with , and the trade market. Let's take a look at one big trade target to start.Bryant now center of trade rumor millBefore the dust even settled on the Betts trade, name was on the minds of baseball fans. It was only natural. We'd been hearing about a po sible Bryant trade all offseason, though it was held up by his service-time grievance. That was resolved last week and we now know Bryant Brad Miller Jersey has two more years of team control. I mentioned a (though we've now removed the Dodgers).Here's the latest on BryantThe and have shown "at least exploratory interest," .There was a Twitter-born rumor that Bryant had interest from the , but shot that down, saying there is "no talk."Meanwhile, there's still some sentiment the are going to stand pat from here on out. That wouldn't be a problem in the clubhouse. was on ESPN radio in Chicago on Wednesday and said, "we got two years left with this guy. We got two years left with a lot of core guys, why don't we try to win another World Series in the next two years?" on . The Cubs could Abraham Almonte Jersey certainly use more depth, but they have enough talent to make a run at the Central again along with a few tweaks and a new manager who could po sibly shake up the comfort level. Maybe they'll just hold Bryant.Still, there figures to be interest and rumors surrounding him for the next few days and weeks. This won't be the last we discu s Bryant in trade rumors before the season starts. rotation takes a hitLeft-hander has had back surgery and will Yan Gomes Jersey mi s three to four months before he's back on the hill, per the Yankees. , and here's .Ubaldo back with The Rockies announced a few minor-league signings on Wednesday and most notable is pitcher Ubaldo Brad Hand Jersey Jimenez. Jimenez was an All-Star who finished third in NL Cy Young voting in 2010 when he went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA (161 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP and 214 strikeouts in 221 2/3 innings. That season, he threw the only no-hitter in Rockies history. Jimenez, 36, last threw in the majors in 2017, when he pitched to a 6.81 ERA and led the majors with 108 earned runs allowed.