WEATHER ALERT
Giants hire former catcher Buster Posey as president of baseball operations, replacing Farhan Zaidi
Read full article: Giants hire former catcher Buster Posey as president of baseball operations, replacing Farhan ZaidiThe San Francisco Giants have hired former All-Star catcher Buster Posey as their president of baseball operations and fired Farhan Zaidi.
Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offense
Read full article: Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offenseCatchers are finding a way to contribute as much at the plate as behind it while withstanding the challenges that come from playing the game’s most taxing position.
Zaidi: Giants made comparable offer to $700M deal Shohei Ohtani received from rival Dodgers
Read full article: Zaidi: Giants made comparable offer to $700M deal Shohei Ohtani received from rival DodgersThe San Francisco Giants made three offers to Shohei Ohtani, including a final proposal that president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi called “very comparable if not identical” to the record $700 million, 10-year contract the Japanese two-way star agreed to with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
Orioles' Rutschman, Tigers' Torkelson among top MLB rookies
Read full article: Orioles' Rutschman, Tigers' Torkelson among top MLB rookiesBaltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Detroit Tigers infielder Spencer Torkelson are among baseball's most intriguing rookies this summer.
Soler, Freeman, Correa among 160 free agents who hit market
Read full article: Soler, Freeman, Correa among 160 free agents who hit marketWorld Series MVP Jorge Soler, Freddie Freeman and Eddie Rosario of the champion Atlanta Braves are among 160 players who became free agents as an uncertain offseason started with a lockout threat looming.
Ohtani voted player of the year by fellow major leaguers
Read full article: Ohtani voted player of the year by fellow major leaguersLos Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was voted player of the year and the American League outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Last call for Giants: Flores rung up, super SF season ends
Read full article: Last call for Giants: Flores rung up, super SF season endsA stellar season for the San Francisco Giants ended when Wilmer Flores was called out on a disputed check-swing to end a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the deciding Game 5 of the NL Division Series.
LEADING OFF: Dodgers-Giants in NLDS winner-take-all Game 5
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Dodgers-Giants in NLDS winner-take-all Game 5Sooner than many baseball fans wanted, maybe, but the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the NL Division Series at Oracle Park.
LEADING OFF: Dodgers, Giants prep for deciding NLDS Game 5
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Dodgers, Giants prep for deciding NLDS Game 5After a season of piling up whopping win totals, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers get a day to prep for their all-or-nothing matchup in Game 5 of the NL Division Series.
Dodgers beat Giants 7-2, force decisive Game 5 in NLDS
Read full article: Dodgers beat Giants 7-2, force decisive Game 5 in NLDSMookie Betts homered and drove in three runs, Will Smith also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-2 to force a decisive Game 5 in their NL Division Series.
Blowin' in the wind: Giants edge Dodgers 1-0 on Longoria HR
Read full article: Blowin' in the wind: Giants edge Dodgers 1-0 on Longoria HREvan Longoria homered off Max Scherzer in the fifth inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 on a blustery night to take a 2-1 lead in their NL Division Series.
Urías hits, pitches Dodgers past Giants to even NLDS series
Read full article: Urías hits, pitches Dodgers past Giants to even NLDS seriesJulio Urías shut down San Francisco and contributed an RBI single for his cause, Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock delivered two-run doubles to blow it open in the sixth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the Giants 9-2 to even their NL Division Series at one game apiece.
Masterful Webb pitches Giants past Dodgers in playoff opener
Read full article: Masterful Webb pitches Giants past Dodgers in playoff openerLogan Webb struck out 10 pitching masterfully in his postseason debut, Buster Posey hit a two-run homer that held up, and the 107-win San Francisco Giants blanked the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the opener of their NL Division Series.
Giants beat Padres, win NL West title on season's final day
Read full article: Giants beat Padres, win NL West title on season's final dayThe San Francisco Giants finally won the NL West without needing to wait for the rival Dodgers' result on the season’s final day, pounding the San Diego Padres 11-4 for a franchise-record 107th victory to top the 1904 New York team.
Wade, Giants beat D-backs in 9th, hold 2-game NL West edge
Read full article: Wade, Giants beat D-backs in 9th, hold 2-game NL West edgeLaMonte Wade Jr. singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants held their two-game lead in the NL West by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4.
Buster Posey's 18th homer helps Giants to ninth straight win
Read full article: Buster Posey's 18th homer helps Giants to ninth straight winBuster Posey homered in the first inning and scored the go-ahead run on an error in the third, and the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 for their ninth straight victory a day after becoming the first team in the big leagues to clinch a playoff berth.
Dodgers beat Giants 6-1, move into tie for first in NL West
Read full article: Dodgers beat Giants 6-1, move into tie for first in NL WestTrea Turner and Corey Seager homered, Julio Urías won his seventh straight decision, and the Los Angeles Dodgers moved into a tie for first place with San Francisco atop the NL West Division with a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Giants beat Dodgers 3-2 in 11th on error, take NL West lead
Read full article: Giants beat Dodgers 3-2 in 11th on error, take NL West leadSecond baseman Trea Turner threw wildly on Buster Posey’s bases-loaded, two-out grounder in the 11th inning and a video review upheld the safe call as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to grab first place in the NL West.
Brewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in row
Read full article: Brewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in rowJace Peterson hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, Lorenzo Cain homered for a second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked the San Francisco Giants out of the top spot in the National League for the first time in more than three months.
Soler's homer, Pederson's catch lift Braves over Giants 6-5
Read full article: Soler's homer, Pederson's catch lift Braves over Giants 6-5Jorge Soler hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning, Joc Pederson made a leaping catch at the wall for the final out and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat San Francisco 6-5 to end the Giants’ five-game winning streak.
Belt homers twice as Giants outlast Brewers 9-6 in 11
Read full article: Belt homers twice as Giants outlast Brewers 9-6 in 11Brandon Belt hit his second homer of the night during a four-run outburst in the 11th inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-6 in a wild Saturday night matchup between division leaders.
Altuve hits grand slam on 2-homer night, Astros beat Giants
Read full article: Altuve hits grand slam on 2-homer night, Astros beat GiantsJosé Altuve hit a grand slam in the sixth one inning after putting Houston ahead on a solo homer, and the AL-leading Houston Astros held off the San Francisco Giants 9-6 in a matchup of baseball’s top two teams.
Bellinger's blunder in 8th helps Giants top Dodgers 2-1
Read full article: Bellinger's blunder in 8th helps Giants top Dodgers 2-1Buster Posey scored the tiebreaking run on a throwing error by first baseman Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1.
Posey comes through in return as Giants defeat Dodgers 7-2
Read full article: Posey comes through in return as Giants defeat Dodgers 7-2Buster Posey and Wilmer Flores hit back-to-back homers in the first inning, Thairo Estrada had a key double in the seventh and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 in the opener of a pivotal four-game series between the NL West rivals.
LEADING OFF: Bosox-Yanks open 2nd half; trade deadline looms
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Bosox-Yanks open 2nd half; trade deadline loomsThe second half of the major league baseball season begins with one game Thursday night when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium.
DeSclafani dominates, Posey hurt, Giants beat D-backs 5-2
Read full article: DeSclafani dominates, Posey hurt, Giants beat D-backs 5-2Anthony DeSclafani threw 8 2/3 effective innings, Austin Slater and Darin Ruf both homered and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 for their third straight victory.
D-backs match MLB record with 22nd straight road loss
Read full article: D-backs match MLB record with 22nd straight road lossThe Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their 22nd straight road game, matching the 1963 Mets and ’43 Philadelphia Athletics for the major league record with a 13-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Tauchman robs Pujols of winning HR, Giants top Dodgers in 10
Read full article: Tauchman robs Pujols of winning HR, Giants top Dodgers in 10Giants left fielder Mike Tauchman remarkably reached over the wall to rob Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and San Francisco broke through in the 10th to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 in a thriller.
Price, Posey, MLBers who opted out for virus excited for '21
Read full article: Price, Posey, MLBers who opted out for virus excited for '21“It definitely crossed my mind,” Price said Friday from Dodgers spring training in Glendale, Arizona. Traded from Boston to the Dodgers last February, the 35-year-old Price pitched in spring exhibitions for LA before deciding to go home. Instead of playing, he did what many Americans have done with their unexpected time — he watched a lot of TV. “It’s a lot easier said than done to take a step away from something you’ve done your entire life. “Being away from it for that time was tough.”___AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley and Sports Writer Beth Harris contributed.
Leading Off: Phillies end layoff, visit Judge, Cole, Yankees
Read full article: Leading Off: Phillies end layoff, visit Judge, Cole, YankeesPhiladelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi, left, talks with Bryce Harper, right, prior to a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 24, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)A look at what's happening around the majors today:BACK TO WORKThe Philadelphia Phillies face a difficult assignment in their long-awaited return to action. Although the Phillies didnt have any players test positive, their games last week were postponed as a cautionary measure. The Phillies got to work out again Saturday, and now come back from a weeklong layoff to face Gerrit Cole and the AL East-leading New York Yankees on the road. MISSING MANAGERThe Cleveland Indians likely will be missing manager Terry Francona for a second straight game when they visit Cincinnati.
LEADING OFF: Reds-Tigers debut MLB's 7-inning doubleheaders
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Reds-Tigers debut MLB's 7-inning doubleheadersShortened doubleheaders are about to make their Major League Baseball debut. Baseball could see an unusually high number of doubleheaders due to positive coronavirus tests causing postponements, plus rainouts. I think thats a good rule change especially with the pitchers going down every day, Houston manager Dusty Baker said. The Angels expect to have Ohtani start their Sunday games this season. KERSHAWS BACKDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut when he faces the Diamondbacks at Arizona.
Manfred confident MLB can get through playoffs despite virus
Read full article: Manfred confident MLB can get through playoffs despite virusThe virus also prompted at least two more players to opt out Saturday: Brewers All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami second baseman Isan Daz. I dont think its realistic to think that were not going to have any more positive tests, Manfred said. After two St. Louis players tested positive, the whole Cardinals team was given rapids tests Friday and saliva samples were sent to an MLB laboratory. Thats why we were reluctant to get into scheduling a bunch of doubleheaders just to play more games, Manfred said. In addition, Manfred says players and coaches should take advantage of the open seats in the stands near the dugouts and bullpens in order to spread out.
Batter Up! Baseball, soundtrack of summer, is back - sort of
Read full article: Batter Up! Baseball, soundtrack of summer, is back - sort ofThe Los Angeles Dodgers play the Los Angeles Angels at sunset during the fifth inning of a preseason baseball game, Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Batter Up! Baseball, soundtrack of summer, is back - sort of
Read full article: Batter Up! Baseball, soundtrack of summer, is back - sort ofThe Los Angeles Dodgers play the Los Angeles Angels at sunset during the fifth inning of a preseason baseball game, Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in Los Angeles. Rather than keeping players and club personnel sealed in a bubble environment, baseball teams will fly around the country, raising more health concerns. Fans won't be permitted at Nationals Park or at Dodger Stadium when Los Angeles plays San Francisco - or at any field. Going to be 2020 coronavirus baseball, Yankees star pitcher Gerrit Cole said. Its that sound, its the summer sound.___AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and Janie McCauley and AP Sports Writers Howard Fendrich and Joe Reedy contributed to this report.
LEADING OFF: Opening day in DC, Dodger Stadium amid pandemic
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Opening day in DC, Dodger Stadium amid pandemicLater, Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw takes on the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. This opening day doubleheader begins the most unusual year in the history of Major League Baseball. MLB players can put a patch with Black Lives Matter or United For Change on a jersey sleeve during opening day. The 27-year-old Betts helped beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series when he was the AL MVP for Boston. The six-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion and 2012 NL MVP and his wife have adopted twin identical girls who were born prematurely.
Opening day amid virus: Masked men, empty parks, odd sounds
Read full article: Opening day amid virus: Masked men, empty parks, odd soundsDHs in the National League, well, OK. An automatic runner on second to start the 10th inning? If this is what its going to be, this is whats going to be, Scherzer said. Four months after the games were supposed to start, strange ball is better than no ball, right? Opening day brings a tasty doubleheader: a marquee pitching matchup in Washington, followed by the nightcap at Dodger Stadium when Clayton Kershaw taking on the San Francisco Giants. Is it going to be perfect the very first day? As manager Bob Melvin said.
After beating cancer, KC's Hill won't let COVID-19 stop him
Read full article: After beating cancer, KC's Hill won't let COVID-19 stop himNot long ago, Royals pitcher Tim Hill was wrapping up eight brutal months of chemotherapy to treat colon cancer. The biopsy came back positive for colon cancer, the same disease that claimed his father when Hill was just 17 years old. With the support of the Royals, Hill began to build back his strength. Those factors left Hill wondering whether he should step on the field when baseball resumed or stick to the sideline, knowing they increased the risk of complications should he contract COVID-19. Some of it seems over-the-top when you first look at it, but when you start seeing people test positive, you see maybe it's necessary.
AP sources: About 10 MLB umpires opt out over virus concerns
Read full article: AP sources: About 10 MLB umpires opt out over virus concerns(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)About 10 Major League Baseball umpires have opted out this season, choosing not to work games in the shortened schedule because of concerns over the coronavirus. There are 76 full-time MLB umpires and more than 20 of them are age 55 or over. A deal between MLB and its umpires reached during the virus shutdown ensured that if even one regular-season game was played this season, the umps were guaranteed 37.5% of their salaries. Minus 10 or more MLB umpires, many Triple-A umps will work the two-month season. Just as MLB redrew the schedule amid the virus outbreak, umpires are certain to see a shift, too.
Cardinals reliever Hicks opts out of playing; has diabetes
Read full article: Cardinals reliever Hicks opts out of playing; has diabetesSt. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks throws off the mound during baseball practice at Busch Stadium Friday, July 3, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Hard-throwing St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks has opted out of playing this season, citing pre-existing health concerns. Hicks had been taking part in workouts at Busch Stadium, leading up to the Cardinals' opener on July 24 at home against Pittsburgh. We respect and understand Jordans decision to opt out this season, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said. Carlos Martinez led St. Louis with 24 saves last season, posting his first save on June 1.
Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rosters
Read full article: Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rostersPosey a six-time All-Star and 2012 NL MVP said his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. Holt has a young family and his wife is pregnant, but he decided to leave them at home while he went to Milwaukee for the next three months. First baseman and team leader Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith, right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma tested positive for coronavirus. Epstein said two coaches tested positive prior to the intake process. A front office member tested positive during the intake.
Tough day for MLB: Price out, Freeman positive, Tanaka hurt
Read full article: Tough day for MLB: Price out, Freeman positive, Tanaka hurt(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)Freddie Freeman tests positive for COVID-19. Due to concerns about medical privacy laws, MLB isnt making a practice of disclosing which players test positive. For example, Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said the team doesnt intend to reveal to the general public if anyone has tested positive. In the Braves case, the four players who tested positive permitted Snitker to reveal their names. Freeman joins Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon as four-time All-Stars who have tested positive.