New York – The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros advanced within a victory of the World Series thanks to MLB playoff triumphs on Saturday in vastly different fashions. Rhys Hoskins smashed two home runs as Philadelphia outslugged visiting San Diego 10-6, while Houston pitchers allowed the host New York Yankees […]
Swallows slugger Jose Osuna carries hot streak into Japan Series
Tokyo Yakult Swallows outfielder Yasutaka Shiomi flashed a broad grin from the hero interview podium after Game 1 of the Japan Series on Saturday and made a bold proclamation. “Tomorrow I’ll do my best to shine even brighter than (Jose) Osuna,” he said. In a time of both misinformation and […]
Swallows connect on three home runs to top Buffaloes in Game 1 of Japan Series
Munetaka Murakami finally got the home run Tokyo Yakult Swallows fans had been waiting all night for in the top of the eighth inning. For once, however, the Swallows’ prolific slugger was late to the party. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more […]
Swallows and Buffaloes assemble for Japan Series rematch
Jingu Stadium was mostly silent on the eve of the Japan Series — save for the constant drone of bats hitting balls and the other assorted sounds of a Japanese baseball practice. The scene will be different Saturday night when the fans — some draped in blue and gold and […]
Framber Valdez tosses gem to give Astros 2-0 ALCS edge over Yankees
Framber Valdez overcame his defensive miscue and twirled seven strong innings, Alex Bregman socked a three-run home run and the Houston Astros fended off the New York Yankees 3-2 on Thursday in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. The Astros will take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven […]
Yes, starters are going deeper into MLB games this postseason
There was a time when Justin Verlander’s departure from a game after six innings would have felt like something of a failure. After all, Verlander, 39, has thrown 200 or more innings in a season 12 times in his career and completed at least seven innings in 251 of his […]
Shohei Ohtani’s path to reaching MLB dreams starts with sleeping habits
Shohei Ohtani’s ability to both outhit and outpitch most of his MLB peers rests on a daily activity some take for granted: getting quality sleep. While his stellar performances are setting new standards for MLB stars, how he stays ahead of the game is instructive for anyone trying to cope […]
Padres rally to get even against Phillies in NLCS
The San Diego Padres erupted for five runs in the fifth inning to erase a two-run deficit on the way to an 8-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies that evened the National League Championship Series at 1-1 on Wednesday. The winner of the series will face either the New York […]
Familiar faces set to highlight Yakult-Orix rematch at Japan Series
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Orix Buffaloes, winners of the last two pennants in the Central and Pacific League, respectively, are back in the Japan Series one year after one of the most tightly contested matchups in NPB history. There are familiar faces up and down both teams’ rosters, with […]
Padres’ Yu Darvish surrenders two homers in Game 1 loss to Phillies
San Diego – Yu Darvish gave up two solo home runs and took the loss Tuesday as the San Diego Padres fell 2-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Darvish let Bryce Harper go deep in the fourth inning and Kyle Schwarber in […]