MLB Player News

Keuchel started Game 3 of the ALDS in Monday's series-clinching win over the Indians but didn't factor into the decision. He went five innings and gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two.

Keuchel got his postseason off to a solid start with Monday's performance even though he was in line to get the loss before the Astros scored three in the seventh. Houston hasn't announced its rotation for the ALCS yet, but Keuchel will likely start one of the first three games.

Eovaldi will start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Eovaldi was originally in line to start a potential Game 4, but the Red Sox decided to make a switch to their rotation following Saturday's loss to New York. The right-hander produced a 1.35 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in the month of September, so he'll look to keep that going when he faces off with Luis Severino on Monday night.

Sale (1-0) gave up two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a win over the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. He struck out eight.

After five dominant innings in which he struck out eight batters, singles from Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton ran Sale from the game in position to get the win. This was the first time Sale had reached five innings in a start in nearly two months, and his velocity appears to be back as well. David Price is scheduled to start Game 2 on Saturday at Fenway Park.

Kluber (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in a loss to the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. He struck out two.

Kluber pitched three scoreless frames before allowing four runs over the next two innings. The devastating blows were three solo shots, marking the fourth consecutive playoff start that Kluber has allowed at least two home runs. The right-hander posted a 2.89 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 1.1 HR/9 in 2018 and will look to get back on track if he gets another opportunity in the Division Series.

Verlander (1-0) gave up two runs on two hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a win over the Indians in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. He struck out seven.

Verlander was dominant early, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced. The 35-year-old then allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases in the sixth inning. Verlander was promptly removed, and while two of his runners came around to score, the Houston bullpen only allowed one hit to secure the playoff win for the right-hander. Verlander posted a 12.2 K/9, 2.52 ERA and 16 wins in the regular season and will look to keep it rolling in his next playoff appearance.

Severino will pitch Game 3 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Severino will take the mound on normal rest after starting the AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday. During that outing versus Oakland, he tossed a scoreless four innings while allowing two hits and four walks, and striking out seven.

Kaprielian (elbow) will pitch in an Instructional League game Friday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Kaprielian didn't take the mound during the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, but he appears to have gradually progressed since starting to play catch back in June. Though Oakland will continue to take it easy with the 24-year-old, he should be fully ready to go by the time spring training rolls around.

Luzardo will be in the mix for a spot in Oakland's starting rotation during spring training, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The top pitching prospect in the Athletics' system, Luzardo spent a majority of the 2018 campaign with Double-A Midland. During 16 starts with the club, he posted a 2.29 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 86 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. Luzardo was called up to Triple-A Nashville in early August, and wound up making four starts with the Sounds before the end of the season. The 21-year-old left-hander pairs above-average command with a mid-90s fastball, but will need to further develop his curveball to become a top-line starter in the majors.

Eovaldi will start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Tuesday should the series last longer than the minimum, though he will be available out of the bullpen for Game 1 on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Eovaldi will follow Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello in Boston's rotation. Across five appearances (four starts) in September, Eovaldi logged a 1.35 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a robust 27:8 K:BB over 20 innings. He will look to stymie his former team in Yankee Stadium next week.

Sale tossed a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon prior to Friday's start in Game 1 of the ALDS, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Per Cotillo, Sale also threw an abbreviated bullpen Tuesday inside the batting cages. Sale will come into his start Friday on eight days' rest after logging 4.2 innings against the Orioles on Sept. 26. Manager Alex Cora said that he doesn't expect Sale to have any limitations during Friday's start, though he hasn't pitched into the sixth inning since late July due to a shoulder injury. Following Sale will be David Price on Saturday for Game 2 and likely Rick Porcello in Game 3 once the series heads out of Boston.