BOSTON (AP) — When Alex Cora was hired to manage the Red Sox a year ago, he knew he wanted to put relationships with his players first.

It made him a success as general manager of Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, again as a GM and manager in the Puerto Rican Winter League ...

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros entered the AL Championship Series aching.

Jose Altuve was playing on just one good knee, Carlos Correa’s back was never right and Lance McCullers was pitching through an injury that will likely require surgery.

Now the Astros are hurting even worse, ...

It probably felt like a cutting-edge caper at the time: The New York Giants, using an elaborate spyglass-and-buzzer system, would have the opposing team’s signs relayed from their center-field clubhouse at the Polo Grounds to the bullpen and then to the batter, passing along valuable information ...

HOUSTON (AP) — David Price, at last, looked like a postseason ace. Craig Kimbrel pitched a lockdown inning. And much-maligned Jackie Bradley Jr. became an MVP.

Most everything went right for the Red Sox as they sailed into the World Series. Now the big question for Boston: Is everything ...

HOUSTON (AP) — What a birthday present for rookie manager Alex Cora. He’s taking the Boston Red Sox back to the World Series.

David Price put his postseason woes behind him, pitching the Red Sox past the defending champion Houston Astros 4-1 Thursday night in Game 5 of the AL Championship ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros couldn’t soar into another World Series.

A year after Houston won the first title in the team’s 56 seasons, Verlander had a rare off night in an elimination game and the Astros lost the AL Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox in ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa has been moved from seventh to fourth in the Houston Astros’ batting order for Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.

Astros manager AJ Hinch made the switch for his team’s must-win game Thursday night after Correa had three hits and ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Andrew Benintendi charged in hard and left his feet.

Make the catch, Boston wins.

If not ... no telling.

On this night, though, even a ball the Red Sox didn’t grab went their way.

Benintendi made a

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve was sure he’d hit a tying home run for the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series. He thought it was a double, at least, when he watched the ball ricochet back onto the field.

Then, he saw the signal: He was out, and couldn’t believe it.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Houston Astros didn’t cheat. They didn’t want to get cheated.

That’s their story, and Major League Baseball agrees.

Following an investigation into two incidents this postseason, MLB said that the defending World Series champions were conducting surveillance — ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on an MLB investigation of an Astros employee seen taking photos or video near Cleveland’s dugout (all times local):

7:30 p.m.

Dave Dombrowski doesn’t believe a person associated with the Houston Astros was trying to steal signs when he was removed from a ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman is in the leadoff spot for the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox after batting third in the team’s first six playoff games.

Houston manager AJ Hinch made the change after the Red Sox walked Bregman seven times ...

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

SPYGATE, THE SEQUEL

The Houston Astros might find themselves defending more than their World Series title. The champions are under scrutiny after Cleveland filed a complaint to Major League Baseball about a man associated with ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Houston Astros may be defending more than their World Series title.

The champions are under scrutiny after Cleveland filed a complaint to Major League Baseball about a man associated with Houston attempting to film in the Indians’ dugout during Game 3 of the AL ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Jackie Bradley Jr. didn’t let his demeanor change this season, even as fans begged Boston to trade him during a miserable first-half slump.

Stayed steady after the biggest swing of his career, too.

Bradley belted a grand slam for his second big hit in the AL ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Six-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve is a designated hitter for the Houston Astros in the playoffs for the first time.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch has Altuve as the DH for Game 3 of the American League ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros are brimming with confidence, even after a Game 2 AL Championship Series defeat to the Boston Red Sox.

For proof, just see Bregman’s social media feed.

Hours after Boston beat Houston 7-5 to even the best-of-seven series at a game ...

BOSTON (AP) — David Price went home a winner in a postseason start for the first time in his career.

That, he insisted, is all he ever cared about.

“This is bigger than David Price,” he said on Sunday night. “This isn’t about me. This is about the Boston Red Sox.”

Price was ...

BOSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole struggled at the beginning of his second playoff start with the Houston Astros.

By the time he recovered, it was too late. Boston was well on its way to a big win.

Cole’s electric fastball was lined all over Fenway Park and he also committed a costly error ...

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has shuffled his lineup for Game 2 against the Houston Astros, putting infielders Ian Kinsler and Rafael Devers and catcher Christian Vazquez in the starting lineup for the first time in the AL Championship Series.

Devers was batting sixth and ...

BOSTON (AP) — With temperatures dipping into the 40s, numbing their fingertips as they tried to grip the baseball, Justin Verlander and Chris Sale both struggled to get the ball over the plate.

Verlander recovered quickly.

Sale never did.

After walking in one run and giving up ...

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

ACES ABOUND

Justin Verlander and the World Series champion Houston Astros face Red Sox lefty Chris Sale in a marquee matchup to start the AL Championship Series at Fenway Park.

The All-Stars met twice last year in AL Division ...

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez wants to thank the Houston Astros — not get back at them — for releasing him when he was struggling to make himself into a star.

The Red Sox slugger credits his growing pains in Houston for teaching him “how to fail,” a lesson he credits with transforming him ...

BOSTON (AP) — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch has added pitchers Hector Rondon and Joe Smith and to the roster for the AL Championship Series against Boston.

Outfielder Myles Straw and reliever Will Harris will not be active for the best-of-seven series that begins Saturday night at ...

A look at the best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox:

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Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Sunday, at Boston, 7:09 p.m.; Game 3, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Houston, 5:09 p.m.; Game 4, ...

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Cora led Boston to a victory over the hated Yankees. Next up for the first-year Red Sox manager: The team he left after winning a World Series as a bench coach last season.

“I’ve been talking about them the whole season, so now we go,” he said after the Red Sox beat New ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa is in pain.

Every swing and miss hurts, and on the bad days it can even be uncomfortable for the Houston Astros star shortstop to walk.

Correa often puts on a brave face but told The Associated Press how much this is affecting him as the Astros prepare to ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Terry Francona’s emotions are still raw and real. The postseason pain hasn’t subsided just yet.

Still feeling a “sting” after another successful season for Cleveland ended in disappointment and well short of a World Series title, Francona tried to explain on Wednesday why ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Bregman is getting his wish — the Houston Astros are headed for prime time.

Major League Baseball released the schedule for Games 1 and 2 of the NL and AL Championship Series on Tuesday, and the Astros will play either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees on Saturday ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — When the challenge arose in August, the Houston Astros responded like champions.

They’re doing it again in October.

Two months ago, last year’s World Series winners hit one of those predictable lulls that every team encounters during the dog days of a season. Maybe ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians manager Terry Francona found a simple way to sum up his team’s tenuous state this October.

And he channeled Yogi Berra to do it.

“As long as we’re still breathing, we’re still breathing,” Francona said before Monday’s critical Game 3 against the Houston ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Ask any Houston Astro and they’ll say the same thing: Alex Bregman was made for these moments.

The young third baseman was great for the defending champions all season and now that the calendar has flipped to October he’s taken his play to another level, slugging two home ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole have been even more brilliant in the playoffs, keeping Cleveland’s powerful offense in check to give the Houston Astros a 2-0 lead in the AL Division Series.

Cole struck out 12 and walked none, combining with two relievers on Houston’s second ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber insisted Friday’s loss had nothing to do with his playoff woes last season.

It just looked that way, a lot.

A year after he was hit hard in a pair of postseason starts, it happened all over. The Houston Astros tagged him for three ...

HOUSTON (AP) — It’s October and George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are all hitting home runs once again, helping the Houston Astros to a postseason win.

A year after launching a World Series-record 15 homers in winning their first championship, the Astros picked up right where ...

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros:

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Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Houston, 2:05 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Houston, 4:37 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 8, at Cleveland, 1:30 p.m.; x-Game 4, ...

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale waited eight years to make his first postseason start and then another 365 days for a chance to put that memory behind him.

The Red Sox left-hander will start Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees on Friday night, one year after he was ...

HOUSTON (AP) — This postseason may be best remembered for its bullpen openers. Just not in the AL Division Series between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians.

Relief pitchers are covering entire games for other championship contenders this October, but the Astros and Indians are ready ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Rajai Davis is getting the chance to further his October legacy.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Thursday the speedy outfielder will get his team’s final spot on the 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros.

Davis was given the nod over ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rajai Davis has his name cemented in October baseball lore.

But it might not be on Cleveland’s playoff roster this year.

Indians manager Terry Francona has one spot left on his 25-man roster for the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros and it will go to ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger will start Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros.

Manager Terry Francona announced Tuesday that he’ll go with Clevinger when the best-of-five series returns to Progressive Field next week. Clevinger went 13-8 with a ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — Adam Jones began the season by hitting a game-winning home run in the 11th inning. He ended it by walking off the field to a standing ovation.

In between opening day and the season finale, there was a whole lot of anguish for Jones and the Baltimore Orioles.

The ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Houston Astros will head into the playoffs coming off the best regular season in franchise history and with an ageless right-hander who’s gunning for his second AL Cy Young Award.

Justin Verlander struck out 10 in the opener of a doubleheader, and the Astros beat the ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — Gerrit Cole knows the 2018 season will ultimately be judged on how he performs in the playoffs.

So for at least a week, the Houston Astros right-hander will savor what he accomplished from April through September.

Cole went over 200 innings with a sharp outing ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — Gerrit Cole tuned up for the postseason by pitching six sharp innings for the Houston Astros, who got a home run from Josh Reddick in a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

The Astros close out the regular season at Camden Yards this weekend after ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge again has baseball’s most popular jersey.

MLB says the Yankee slugger’s No. 99 was the top seller for the second straight season. Judge beat out 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve, who will be trying to repeat as a World Series champion with the Houston Astros next ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Houston Astros aren’t going to simply go through the motions while closing out the regular season.

Houston’s game against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night was postponed by rain, meaning the Astros will squeeze in four games over the final three days, including a ...