The Astros are back in the World Series for the third time in five years. Though several years removed from the cheating scandal that tarnished its first title win in 2017, Houston has been unable to escape the shadow of the scandal. Opposing fans bring inflatable trash cans to games and consistently refer to the Astros as cheaters, as the […]

Covers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 Been with ESPN.com since 1995 Here we go, the Houston Astros versus the Atlanta Braves for World Series glory. While this matchup would have been a reasonable prediction back in spring training, it was an unlikely scenario at the trade deadline on July 30, when the Braves had a 2% […]

Just 10 days after firing Mike Shildt, the Cardinals have their next manager. The club has reportedly pegged bench coach Oliver Marmol to replace Shildt, who was fired Oct. 14 over “philosophical differences.” The announcement is expected to be made at a press conference Monday at 11 a.m. ET. RIVERA: Why did the Cardinals fire Mike Shildt? Marmol has served as the […]

Eddie Rosario was not a playoff novice heading into the 2021 postseason. He experienced October baseball with the Twins in 2017, 2019 and 2020. But he played in just six games total as Minnesota made an early exit each year. This October has been a lot different. He’s on a club that’s in position to win the last game of the […]

Sports reporter, Kansas City Star, 2002-09 Writer, Baseball, Baseball Prospectus Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus Member, Baseball Writers Association of America Member, Professional Basketball Writers Association ATLANTA — For the first time since 1999, the Atlanta Braves are going back to the World Series. Eddie Rosario continued a torrid postseason with a three-run homer just inside the foul pole in the […]

ESPN MLB insider Author of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Oct. 8. After Max Scherzer will skip his scheduled start, Buehler is now starting the Dodgers’ must-win Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves on short rest. On the car ride to Dodger Stadium, when […]

ESPN MLB insider Author of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports” HOUSTON — Here’s the thing: The Houston Astros really are just that damn good. They were that damn good in 2017 when they were cheating, and they are still that damn good in 2021 when, it’s reasonable to assume, they are not. […]

If there was any doubt about just how good Yordan Alvarez was or how integral to the Astros’ postseason hopes he has been, he answered those questions emphatically on Friday night. In one of the biggest games of his career, the soft-spoken Alvarez let his play speak for him. He punctuated his ALCS performance with a 4-for-4 night in the clinching […]

As the 2021 MLB playoffs continue, one half of the World Series is set: The Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 5-0 Friday night to win the American League Championship Series and advance to their third Fall Classic in five years. Houston won its only championship in 2017, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. But that season […]

Joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Los Angeles Rams Previously covered the Angels for MLB.com Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Max Scherzer will not make his scheduled start in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, sources told ESPN, confirming news first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Scherzer’s replacement for Saturday night at Truist Park is not yet […]