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Baseball

Brewers and Dodgers meet in NLCS Game 1

The Associated Press 2 minute read 3:02 AM CDT

Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69, first in the NL West during the regular season) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (97-65, first in the NL Central during the regular season)

Milwaukee; Monday, 8:08 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: No starters named

BOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers take the field in Game 1 of the NLCS.

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Bandwagon fan’s guide to baseball: most of what you need to know to enjoy post-season

Nicole Thompson and John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Bandwagon fan’s guide to baseball: most of what you need to know to enjoy post-season

Nicole Thompson and John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 5 minute read 5:00 AM CDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time in nearly a decade, and the bandwagon is officially rolling. 

But those new to the sport might need a primer on how exactly it works, from the sequence of the playoffs to the rules of the game. 

Below, we parse through the basics.

WHAT'S THE STRUCTURE OF THE POST-SEASON?

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5:00 AM CDT

The crowd looks on as Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) works against the New York Yankees during first inning MLB American League Division Series baseball action in Toronto, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The crowd looks on as Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) works against the New York Yankees during first inning MLB American League Division Series baseball action in Toronto, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Battle-tested Jays, Mariners ready to rumble in ALCS opener tonight

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Battle-tested Jays, Mariners ready to rumble in ALCS opener tonight

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 4:00 AM CDT

TORONTO - One team is rested, the other running on fumes.

But both are excited, battle-tested and confident as the best-of-seven American League Championship Series opens tonight at Rogers Centre.

The Toronto Blue Jays, who knocked off the New York Yankees in four games in their best-of-five AL Division Series that wrapped up Wednesday, face the visiting Seattle Mariners, who needed 15 innings and nearly five hours to win Game 5 of their ALDS against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

The Blue Jays have had three full days to reset and refocus on the next challenge to reach the World Series. The Mariners elected to go sleepless in Seattle on Friday to celebrate their marathon victory over the Tigers, then stayed put on the West Coast. The team flew into Toronto late last night for the series opener.

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4:00 AM CDT

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman practices with his team ahead of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman practices with his team ahead of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Inability to get runners on base in Game 5 leads to Cubs’ exit from postseason

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Inability to get runners on base in Game 5 leads to Cubs’ exit from postseason

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 4 minute read 12:01 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — For the only time in the entire NL Division Series, the Chicago Cubs failed to score in the first inning.

They didn’t do a whole lot the rest of the night, either, as a parade of Milwaukee Brewers relievers silenced a lineup that was too reliant on the home run ball.

“We just didn’t do much,” manager Craig Counsell said after a 3-1 loss to Milwaukee in the winner-take-all Game 5 of their NLDS on Saturday. “We had six baserunners. You’re going to have to hit homers to have any runs scoring in scenarios like that. They pitched very well. I mean, they pitched super well and we didn’t.”

Chicago was attempting to become the 11th team to erase a 2-0 deficit and win a best-of-five playoff series, a feat last accomplished by the New York Yankees against Cleveland in their 2017 ALDS. The Cubs forced Game 5 by pounding Milwaukee’s starting pitching, as they scored 11 first-inning runs in the first four games of the series.

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12:01 AM CDT

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell, left, and bench coach Ryan Flaherty, right, look on from the dugout during the seventh inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell, left, and bench coach Ryan Flaherty, right, look on from the dugout during the seventh inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Brewers beat Cubs 3-1 in Game 5 of NL Division Series to earn NLCS matchup with Dodgers

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Brewers beat Cubs 3-1 in Game 5 of NL Division Series to earn NLCS matchup with Dodgers

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 1:07 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ending their recent run of playoff frustration earned the Milwaukee Brewers a new nickname from their manager.

Pat Murphy has referred to his team as the “Average Joes,” a nod to their small-market status and lack of big names. But after the Brewers beat the rival Chicago Cubs 3-1 in the decisive fifth game of their NL Division Series on Saturday night, Murphy decided it was time for an upgrade.

“You can call them the average Joes,” Murphy said, “but I say they’re the above-average Joes.”

The Brewers relied on contributions from just about all of them to get past the Cubs.

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Updated: 1:07 AM CDT

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Brewers beat Chicago Cubs in deciding Game 5 and will play Los Angeles Dodgers in National League Championship Series

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 9:47 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers beat Chicago Cubs in deciding Game 5 and will play Los Angeles Dodgers in National League Championship Series.

Mariners stay home to avoid fatigue after 15-inning win sets up ALCS battle with Blue Jays

Ian Harrison, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:37 PM CDT

TORONTO (AP) — The Mariners decided to go sleepless in Seattle instead of being tired in Toronto.

After celebrating their 3-2 win over Detroit in Game 5 of the AL Division Series, the team stayed in Seattle before heading to Toronto for a late Saturday arrival ahead of a AL Championship Series matchup against the Blue Jays.

“Our guys will be ready,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “We’ll get there tonight, get some rest, and we’ll be ready to go.”

In the ALCS for the fourth time and first since 2001, Seattle opens the best-of-seven series on Sunday night.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman gets Game 1 start for Blue Jays in ALCS against Mariners

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Right-hander Kevin Gausman gets Game 1 start for Blue Jays in ALCS against Mariners

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:06 PM CDT

TORONTO - It has become a familiar routine for the Toronto Blue Jays since securing the top seed in the American League on the final day of the season: rest, prepare and perform.

It worked like a charm against the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. The Blue Jays, who have had a three-day break between games, are hoping for an encore showing in the AL Championship Series against Seattle.

"I think we're going to be ready to roll," said Toronto outfielder Myles Straw. "I feel like that was the perfect amount of time to miss and still be locked in."

The division title gave Toronto home-field advantage and a bye past the wild-card round. The Yankees went the distance in that best-of-three series against Boston and were worse for it against the Blue Jays.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:06 PM CDT

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) reacts to a flyout during the fifth inning of Game 1 in Major League Baseball's American League Division Series action against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Oct. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) reacts to a flyout during the fifth inning of Game 1 in Major League Baseball's American League Division Series action against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Oct. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Love Jays, will travel: Canadian fans prepared to go the distance to cheer their team

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Love Jays, will travel: Canadian fans prepared to go the distance to cheer their team

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:15 PM CDT

Alex Simpson has been a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays "basically from Day 1," a lifelong love of the game that was instilled in him by his father, Dave.

'When you're really young, you don't know what's going on. It's just 'Dad, which colour team are we cheering for?'" he said.

That colour was blue.

The pair shared a love of the Blue Jays and made trips including to spring training and to Toronto in 1998 where they saw star pitcher Roger Clemens record his 3,000th career strikeout.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:15 PM CDT

Fans walk through the Toronto Blue Jays merchandise store outside Rogers Centre in Toronto, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
Fans walk through the Toronto Blue Jays merchandise store outside Rogers Centre in Toronto, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

What to watch during MLB’s best-of-7 League Championship Series

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

What to watch during MLB’s best-of-7 League Championship Series

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read 1:04 AM CDT

There are five current franchises that have never won a World Series. Two of them still have a chance to break through this year.

Major League Baseball’s playoffs have reached the two League Championship Series, which will include the Los Angeles Dodgers and their storied history — and three other teams that are products of the sport's post-expansion era. The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, both of whom began playing in 1977, meet in the ALCS. The Milwaukee Brewers, who spent a year as the Seattle Pilots before relocating to Wisconsin in 1970, face Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in the NLCS.

The Mariners and Brewers have never won a World Series. Seattle is the only current team that has never even won a pennant.

The Mariners made it to the ALCS via a scintillating 15-inning victory over Detroit in Game 5 of their AL Division Series. They'll have little time to savor that victory. Game 1 in Toronto is less than 48 hours later on Sunday night.

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1:04 AM CDT

Seattle Mariners players celebrate with Jorge Polanco, center, after he hit the game-winning RBI single in the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Mariners players celebrate with Jorge Polanco, center, after he hit the game-winning RBI single in the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Polanco hits winning single in the 15th inning as the Mariners beat the Tigers to advance to ALCS

Luke Olson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Polanco hits winning single in the 15th inning as the Mariners beat the Tigers to advance to ALCS

Luke Olson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:02 AM CDT

SEATTLE (AP) — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history.

With one out and the bases loaded, Polanco drove in J.P. Crawford with a liner to right on a full-count changeup from Tommy Kahnle. Crawford held his arms in the air as he touched home plate while the Mariners poured out of the dugout to celebrate in front of a frenzied crowd of 47,025.

Crawford hit a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch and Julio Rodríguez was intentionally walked before Polanco's big swing on the 472nd pitch of an epic Game 5 that clocked in at 4 hours, 58 minutes.

It was the third one-run game — all with a 3-2 score — in a tightly contested AL Division Series.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:02 AM CDT

Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco reacts after hitting an RBI-single for shortstop J.P. Crawford to score the game-winning run during the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco reacts after hitting an RBI-single for shortstop J.P. Crawford to score the game-winning run during the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners advance to American League Championship Series with 3-2 win over Detroit Tigers

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 12:08 AM CDT

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners advance to American League Championship Series with 3-2 win over Detroit Tigers.

Tarik Skubal turns in a dominant performance in Detroit’s Game 5 loss to Mariners

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Tarik Skubal turns in a dominant performance in Detroit’s Game 5 loss to Mariners

The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:46 AM CDT

SEATTLE (AP) — Tarik Skubal was terrific. And he was long gone when the season ended for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal struck out 13 in six dominant innings in Game 5 of the AL Division Series at Seattle on Friday night. But the Tigers were eliminated when Jorge Polanco singled home J.P. Crawford in the 15th inning, giving the Mariners a 3-2 victory.

Skubal did his part with Detroit on the brink of the franchise’s first appearance in the AL Championship Series since 2013. The ace left-hander allowed one run and two hits in what turned into baseball's longest winner-take-all postseason game by innings.

“It’s incredible. He kick-started us in such a good direction,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He missed a ton of bats. Again, if you’re not a fan of the Tigers and you haven’t watched Tarik start after start after start, you’re going to see why he gets the love he does, because he’s incredible.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:46 AM CDT

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Albert Pujols has met with the Angels about their managerial opening, AP source says

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Albert Pujols has met with the Angels about their managerial opening, AP source says

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols has met with the Los Angeles Angels about returning to their dugout as their next manager, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Angels aren't publicly discussing their search for a successor to Ron Washington, who wasn't brought back after two seasons.

Pujols met with general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis, and the iconic slugger appears to be the current front-runner to take over the Angels in what would be his first in-season major league coaching job of any kind.

Angels owner Arte Moreno has remained fond of Pujols, who played first base and designated hitter for the Angels from 2012 to 2021 after Moreno signed him away from the Cardinals with a $254 million free agent contract.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

FILE - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols waves to players in the Colorado Rockies dugout in the second inning of a baseball game, Sept. 12, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols waves to players in the Colorado Rockies dugout in the second inning of a baseball game, Sept. 12, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Don’t check in late for Cubs-Brewers NLDS decider. This series is all about the first inning

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Don’t check in late for Cubs-Brewers NLDS decider. This series is all about the first inning

Steve Megargee, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:43 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Working as a starting pitcher in the NL Division Series between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers has been one tough job.

Twenty-one of the 35 runs in the series have been scored in the first inning. The series concludes Saturday night with a winner-take-all Game 5 to determine which of these NL Central rivals will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.

“I think it’s way more common than you think, for pitchers to be vulnerable in the first inning,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday. “Everybody’s geeked up. The atmosphere is way different. And I think that’s something that is noted.”

Both teams will have relievers starting Saturday's game as openers.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:43 PM CDT

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledges starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) while making a pitching change during the fifth inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledges starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) while making a pitching change during the fifth inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chad Posthumus memorial court opens

Free Press staff 1 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

The late hometown hero and Winnipeg Sea Bears captain Chad Posthumus was honoured Friday with the opening of a new basketball court at Gateway Recreation Centre.

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