A look at what’s happening around the major leagues today:
Black Monday
The day after the season is often dicey for managers on the hot seat. Last year, the Twins fired longtime skipper Ron Gardenhire less 24 hours after their final game. The Padres moved quickly Sunday, announcing that interim manager Pat Murphy won’t lead the club next year. Washington manager Matt Williams could be in trouble, too, after a team that was a World Series favorite didn’t even make it to the playoffs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said a decision about Williams’ future will come soon, adding they’re “not going to let people twist in the wind.”
Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) and Max Stassi celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 in a baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Astros and Yankees work out at Yankee Stadium, a day before they open the playoffs with the AL wild-card game. Houston ace Dallas Keuchel is expected to talk about starting on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. Keuchel and his teammates took two of three in the Bronx in late August.
Catching Up
The Cardinals are expecting to get Yadier Molina back in the playoffs after the star catcher suffered a slightly torn ligament in his left thumb on Sept. 20 and sat out the rest of the regular season. Molina met with a hand specialist last week and was scheduled to be re-evaluated this week, but all indications from St. Louis are that he’ll be ready to go when the Cards open the NL division series at home Friday against either the Cubs or Pirates. The seven-time reigning NL Gold Glove Award winner hit .270 with four homers this season.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Troy Tulowitzki flies out to Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Mikie Mahtook during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Tulowitzki, who hasn’t played since Sept. 12 after a collision with teammate Kevin Pillar, caused a small crack in his left shoulder blade. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Other training staffs are keeping busy this week, too. The Mets are hoping lefty Steven Matz (back) pitches without discomfort in a bullpen Tuesday, while Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (cracked scapula, upper back bruises) should be ready to go after playing two of the final three games of the season. Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (right knee) was rested down the stretch but should be ready to go, while the Astros had to sit outfielder Carlos Gomez (sore ribs) in their final three games. The Cardinals have concerns beyond Molina, with outfielder Stephen Piscotty returning Sunday for the first time since sustaining a concussion six days prior and ace Adam Wainwright only coming back to action last week after an Achilles tendon injury kept him out most of the season.
The Associated Press
How is this even remotely germane to sports on the Cape? Whatever happened to hour outstanding local sports news, you need to undo it. It was great and i really felt i knew what was going on in local sports… Signed, a no longer loyal reader