Every at-bat sends a packed ballpark from elated to deflated. Every result swings the perceived advantage radically.

In front of yet another record crowd at Petco Park, the Padres on Wednesday went from needing to win one of two games to needing to win or go home.

They will have to play the National League Division Series to its fullest extent...Read more

In the hours before Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on Wednesday night, there was a quiet but palpable belief around the Dodgers dugout, one that belied the seemingly dire state in which they found themselves.

Sure, the team was facing a third straight elimination in the NLDS, down two games to one to the San Diego ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Michael Wacha has a huge responsibility on Thursday.

He will be the Kansas City Royals’ starting pitcher for Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium.

The stakes couldn’t be much higher.

The Royals are facing elimination at home after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss. Two ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hours before Game 3 of the ALDS, Giancarlo Stanton took the field at Kauffman Stadium for some early batting practice.

With assistant Yankees hitting coach Casey Dykes feeding balls through a pitching machine and lead hitting coach James Rowson watching, Stanton repeatedly sprayed heaters across the outfield. With just one ...Read more

NEW YORK — Once again, Jose Quintana did his job.

The veteran left-hander fired five-plus crucial innings in the Mets‘ 4-1 win over the Phillies in NLDS Game 4 on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

And while he collected a no-decision, Quintana was among the biggest reasons that the odds-defying Mets advanced past their NL East rival and ...Read more

NEW YORK — When you lose, it’s always the manager’s fault. When you don’t score, it’s always the hitters’ fault. When you don’t stop the bleeding, it’s always the bullpen’s fault.

When your team loses, it’s always somebody’s fault, right? When your team had the best record in baseball for months, and when it wins 95 games ...Read more

NEW YORK — It was not supposed to end this way. As little as three months ago, the suggestion would have seemed a setup for a punch line. Carlos Estévez, crouched in front of the Citi Field mound, a wince on his face, casting a fearful look over his shoulder, watching Francisco Lindor’s sixth-inning grand slam disappear over the wall in ...Read more

DETROIT — It may not have been the loudest crowd, though the volume level certainly went up as the day grew long.

But it definitely was the largest crowd, at this ballpark, for this time of year.

The Tigers announced Wednesday a crowd of 44,885 showed up for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, ...Read more

DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers, given last rites in early August, are now one win from playing for the American League championship.

Believe it.

In front of the largest postseason crowd ever at Comerica Park (44,885), the Tigers seized control of this best-of-five American League Division Series on Wednesday, blanking the Cleveland Guardians ...Read more

KANSAS CITY – Hours before Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday, Juan Soto fielded a question about the tradition and culture associated with the Yankees.

“When you put that jersey on and those pinstripes, it just feels different,” Soto replied.

How much longer Soto will wear pinstripes has been a storyline throughout his first — and ...Read more

ATLANTA — The Braves filed a lawsuit against former employees Bill Acree and his son Ben Acree, in addition to Heritage Auctions, in a case involving the home plate and bases from Hank Aaron’s 715th home run.

The Braves’ lawsuit, filed in Cobb County Superior Court on Sept. 27, contends the memorabilia was stolen, unlawfully possessed and...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Gulp. Sigh. Damn. It's happening again.

For the second time in three postseasons, the Dodgers showed up at San Diego's Petco Park on a cool October night brimming with confidence, riding on emotion, stung by skepticism, ready for revenge.

And once again, they're eating it.

This wipeout is not yet as spectacular as the stunning ...Read more

This year would be different.

This year would be about winning a postseason series.

This year would be the year the best player in baseball made sure of it.

Or not.

Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are on the verge of elimination from the National League Division Series. The San Diego Padres beat the Dodgers on Tuesday, 6-5, so the Dodgers ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Trust your eyes, not the nonsense.

Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty wasn’t trying to hit Fernando Tatis Jr. with the inside fastball that plunked Tatis’ thigh Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Tatis himself said it was an accident. Of course it was. It would’ve been dumb for Flaherty to put Tatis on base on purpose when he did.

Nor ...Read more

Matt Bush’s recovery and redemption were just a few chapters in what is now a sad story, not to mention a waste of the second chance created by his right arm.

Of the many pro athletes who have come through DFW, few were blessed with the God-given ability like the former Texas Rangers relief pitcher. Josh Hamilton is in this discussion. The ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The curtain closed on the Pirates' 2024 season eight days ago, but I'd like to revisit something that occurred before it mercifully kicked the bucket: Isiah Kiner-Falefa missing a $200,000 performance bonus and the absurd way it went down.

Four plate appearances shy of 500, Kiner-Falefa was out of the lineup for the Sept. 29 ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Phillies had all the momentum heading into Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday after a comeback, walk-off victory in Game 2. Until the second inning, that is, when Pete Alonso belted an opposite-field home run off Aaron Nola, and the Mets took it right back.

Every one of the Mets’ mythical cast of ...Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — There is only one way to begin an appreciation of Luis Tiant, and that’s with the striking of a match.

Tiant, El Tiante, who died at 83 on Tuesday, loved his cigars, eventually lent his name to a brand, and if he would have been allowed he would probably have had one on the mound. It would have looked right, too, and he ...Read more