Latest news with #FallClassic
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Astros Insider Predicts 2022 World Series Hero Playing Last Games in Houston
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Houston Astros look a lot different than they did the last time they won a World Series, but they're a very legitimate threat to win it all again. Despite the offseason losses of Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, plus injuries to Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, and half of the pitching staff, the Astros just keep plugging. Entering play on Friday, they had a 60-43 record and a five-game lead atop the American League West. The Astros don't necessarily need to do a lot before Thursday's trade deadline, as most of those injured players are expected to eventually return. However, there are still some players who should have their heads on a swivel. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Chas McCormick #20 of the Houston Astros receives his 2022 World Series Ring from owner Jim Crane, Whitney Crane and Dusty Baker Jr. #12 at Minute Maid Park on March... HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Chas McCormick #20 of the Houston Astros receives his 2022 World Series Ring from owner Jim Crane, Whitney Crane and Dusty Baker Jr. #12 at Minute Maid Park on March 31, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by)That includes, as one insider suspects, an outfielder who was a memorable part of that 2022 World Series run. On Friday, The Athletic predicted one player per team who would be traded before the deadline, and Astros beat reporter Chandler Rome named outfielder Chas McCormick as the most likely Astro to be dealt. "Houston's major-league roster is so ravaged by injury that it's difficult to envision any player getting moved, but McCormick makes the most sense if one does," wrote Rome. "He is the odd man out of a full-strength Astros outfield, has one more season under club control and is making $3.4 million — not an insignificant sum for a Houston team that may have to move money around if owner Jim Crane doesn't authorize crossing the luxury tax threshold." McCormick, 30, was good in 2022 and even better in 2023, posting a 3.5-win season with a 130 OPS+ in the latter year. And his most memorable moment as an Astro came in Game 5 of the Fall Classic, when he made a leaping grab of a would-be extra-base hit from Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto to preserve a 3-2 win. But with a .561 OPS in 41 games this year, it's hard to justify giving McCormick consistent at-bats these days. Perhaps some team believes he can recapture some of that magic with a change of scenery, in which case it makes sense for Houston to clear him off the active roster. More MLB: Dodgers Predicted to Cut Ties with 6-Year Veteran Hurler by Trade Deadline
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Astros Make Worrying Announcement That Could Alter Course of Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After decades of struggle, making just 10 postseason appearances — and reaching the World Series only once — in their first 54 years of existence, the Houston Astros in 2017 emerged as perhaps the dominant team in the American League. With two World Series championships since, four trips to the Fall Classic and seven straight AL Championship Series berths — a streak that was broken just last year — the Astros this season appear well on their way back to the postseason, leading the AL West by five games. The only obstacle so far has been a string of injuries. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 22: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros watches the action during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 22, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 22: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros watches the action during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 22, 2025 in Phoenix, hitter Yordan Alvarez has been limited to just 29 games with a hand injury. Second baseman Jeremy Pena had his career year interrupted by a broken rib in late June that has sidelined him ever since. Outfielder Jake Meyers and Jacob Melton are currently on the injured list as well. The latest and potentially most devastating addition to the list of casualties came on Saturday when All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, who signed a one-year, $6.6 million contract with Houston before the season, was forced to leave a game against the Seattle Mariners with a hamstring injury. Paredes, whose .829 OPS was second only to Pena's among Astros regulars, pulled up lame while running out a line drive off the wall at T-Mobile Park. After that game Paredes, who missed three games in June with a left hamstring injury, told reporters that this strain, to the right one, was worse. More MLB: First-Place Astros Hit With Disappointing News on Playoff Hero Pitcher On Tuesday, Astros manager Joe Espada announced new information on the Paredes injury, and it wasn't great. "This is a pretty significant injury," Espada told reporters, as quoted by Chandler Rome of The Athletic. "We are waiting on some results, but it's definitely something that's going to keep him out for a while." In fact, Espada appeared to acknowledge, Paredes could be out for the remainder of the season. "We don't know yet," Espada said, per The Athletic. "But I know it's something that's going to take some time." The announcement casts a pall over the Astros season. Houston was on a three-game win streak heading into Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but has lost seven of its previous eight. General manager Dana Brown had reportedly been looking for upgrades to the Astros' pitching staff, also riddled by injuries, but may now shift his trade deadline priorities to the offensive side of the ball, according to The Athletic report. Rome suggested that the Astros may target Colorado Rockies' third baseman Ryan McMahon. But the stumbling block there is that McMahon's salary would put the Astros into luxury tax territory. But the Astros have 17 players on the injured list, including five of the nine hitters in the opening day lineup, Rome reported. That is a predicament that may force team chairperson Jim Crane to give the green light to some major moves at the July 31 trade deadline. Or he could simply write off the season. More MLB: Astros Dealing With Frustrating News on Highly Anticipated Outfield Prospect
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Calls Streaking Red Sox 'Legitimate World Series Contenders'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jeff Passan of ESPN appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and stated that the Boston Red Sox are going to be buyers this season and, with the right move, World Series contenders. The Red Sox currently hold a wild card spot in the American League and are getting ready to make a second-half push to hold off the rest of the junior circuit. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 11: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run walk off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on July 11, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More Photo byPassan refuted rumors of the potential trade of Aroldis Chapman and Alex Bregman, saying that the pair is "going nowhere". Passan declared the Red Sox as buyers, saying, "They're going to add, and if they can get another starting pitcher who can be at the top of that rotation with Garrett Crochet, with Brayan Bello pitching so well, Lucas Giolito, the Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders." It's a bold claim for a team that is currently in third place in its division, but Passan might not be that far off. The youngsters in the Red Sox clubhouse have started to make the turn, with the team going on a 10-game winning streak just before the trade deadline and looking to make it 11 straight wins on Friday. There was some speculation that Bregman, who has an opt-out after this season, could be moved, but the Red Sox have gotten hot and are looking to overtake the Yankees, placing themselves squarely in title contention. The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Red Sox have some needs to fill if they want to return to the Fall Classic, but according to Passan, they are right in the mix. More MLB: Royals Trade For Former Utility Man From Pirates Before Trade Deadline: Report
Fox Sports
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Terry Francona gets his 2,000th managerial win as the Reds beat the Rockies 4-2
Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — Terry Francona has added another milestone to his impressive career. Francona became the 13th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Sunday. 'I don't think I've ever tried to delude myself. I mean some of those names up there are kind of like baseball royalty,' Francona said. 'If there's an adjective for baseball lifer, it's me. I'm not overly smart. ... I just love the game, probably too much." The Reds paid tribute to Francona in the clubhouse after their final game before the All-Star break. Reliever Brent Suter congratulated Francona and told the manager about a couple gifts from the team. After the players called for a speech, Francona used an expletive to describe how much he loved everyone and then waved them off to their break. Francona, 66, joins Texas' Bruce Bochy as the only active managers with at least 2,000 wins. Bochy was among a handful of baseball figures who congratulated Francona in a video posted by the Reds on social media. Ten of the 12 other managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame. Bochy and Dusty Baker (2,183), who isn't yet eligible, are the only exceptions. Francona is the fourth man to record his 2,000th win for one of the teams from his playing career (he batted .227 in 102 games for the Reds in 1987). The others are Bochy (San Francisco), Bucky Harris (Detroit) and John McGraw (New York Giants). Francona's regular-season record is 2,000-1,719 in 24 seasons. He led Boston to World Series titles in 2004 and '07, and Cleveland to the Fall Classic in 2016. His teams have reached the postseason 11 times. He had a franchise-record 921 wins in 11 years with Cleveland, 744 in seven seasons with Boston and 285 in his first stop at Philadelphia, including his first victory as a skipper on April 1, 1997, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Francona is 50-47 in his first season with Cincinnati after signing a three-year deal with a club option for 2028. 'We knew it was coming,' Suter said. 'I saw 1,950 was his win count before he came out of retirement for us. I was like 'Ooh, hopefully we can get that in the first half and feel really good about it,' and we waited until the very end but we got it in the first half. Such a special moment.' Francona's 500th win in 2007 and 1000th in 2011 came while managing the Red Sox. Victory No. 1,500th was on May 3, 2018, when Cleveland defeated Toronto. 'I've said it since spring training. It's an honor to be able to play for him,' said Emilio Pagan, who picked up the save on Sunday. 'And so to be the guy to close out the 2,000th win, it felt cool.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
13-07-2025
- Sport
Terry Francona gets 2,000th win as manager with Reds' 4-2 victory over Rockies
CINCINNATI -- Terry Francona has added another milestone to his impressive career. Francona became the 13th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Sunday. Francona, 66, joins Texas' Bruce Bochy as the only active managers with at least 2,000 wins. Ten of the 12 other managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame. Bochy and Dusty Baker (2,183), who isn't yet eligible, are the only exceptions. Francona is the fourth man to record his 2,000th win for one of the teams from his playing career (he batted .227 in 102 games for the Reds in 1987). The others are Bochy (San Francisco), Bucky Harris (Detroit) and John McGraw (New York Giants). Francona's regular-season record is 2,000-1,719 in 24 seasons. He led Boston to World Series titles in 2004 and '07, and Cleveland to the Fall Classic in 2016. His teams have reached the postseason 11 times. He had a franchise-record 921 wins in 11 years with Cleveland, 744 in seven seasons with Boston and 285 in his first stop at Philadelphia, including his first victory as a skipper on April 1, 1997, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Francona is 50-47 in his first season with Cincinnati after signing a three-year deal with a club option for 2028. 'I think I'm OK," Francona said about his first year back after taking last season off. "I got to the point physically where I couldn't enjoy the grind. It's a grind for everybody, but when you feel OK you like going through it with the people you care about. It just got to a point where it was getting the best of me before losing patience and stuff like that.' Francona's 500th win in 2007 and 1000th in 2011 came while managing the Red Sox. Victory No. 1,500th was on May 3, 2018, when Cleveland defeated Toronto. ___
