LEADING OFF: Players get creative, Yanks at Dodger Stadium

By: The Associated Press Posted: 10:09 PM CDT Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 Last Modified: 2:51 AM CDT Friday, Aug. 23, 2019

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A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/08/2019 (2268 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

NAME THAT NICKNAME

Jerseys will take on a different look during Players’ Weekend, when big leaguers are encouraged to be creative with what goes on the back of their uniforms.

Cleveland Indians' Yasiel Puig hits an RBI double off Minnesota Twins pitcher Jose Berrios in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig will have Wild Horse, for the way he charges around the bases. Rays pitcher Charlie Morton will use Ground Chuck, for how he induces grounders. Reds first baseman Joey Votto will go with Who — for the “Abbott and Costello” comedy routine of “Who’s on First?”

Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis is skipping letters and going with an emoji — of lettuce, to rhyme with his last name.

OCTOBER PREVIEW?

Yankees lefty James Paxton is having one of the best stretches of his career. Paxton (9-6, 4.53 ERA) takes the mound at Dodger Stadium looking to win his fifth straight start — he won seven in a row in 2017 with Seattle.

Los Angeles counters with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is 12-3 and leads the majors with a 1.64 ERA.

New York manager Aaron Boone knows this series between the two teams with the top records in the majors should be special.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto leans into the dugout to catch a foul ball off the bat of Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)

“I think when you’re talking about interleague and two historic franchises having a great year, Players’ Weekend, which should add some fun to it, I know it’s something that we’ll all look forward to,” Boone said.

FLY THE W

The Cubs have won five in a row and are 44-19 at Wrigley Field this season, winning 16 of their last 19 home games.

The NL Central leaders try to keep it going when lefty Jon Lester (10-8, 4.23 ERA) pitches the opener of a three-game series against Washington and right-hander Aníbal Sanchez (7-6, 3.99). Sanchez is 7-0 in his last 15 starts.

Chicago edged the Giants 1-0 Thursday with the wind blowing in at Wrigley. A day earlier, the Cubs outslugged San Francisco 12-11 in a game with seven home runs.

FILE - In this May 25, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli is consoled by hitting coach Rick Eckstein, left, after taking himself out of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Pittsburgh, after being hit in the head by a foul tip earlier in the inning. The Pirates are parting ways with veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli, who has been hampered by multiple concussions this season. The club announced Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, it requested unconditional release waivers for the 33-year-old Cervelli. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CATCHING ON

Veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli is available after the Pirates granted his request for a release. The 33-year-old Cervelli recently completed a rehab assignment after working his way back from his latest concussion.

Cervelli is hoping to hook on with a contender — there’s speculation that NL East-leading Atlanta might be interested.

Cervelli hasn’t played in the majors since May 25. He’s been in 34 games this season, hitting .193 with one home run and five RBIs.

“Out of respect and appreciation for Francisco, we have chosen to honour his request to be released in order for him to pursue an opportunity that potentially gives him a chance at more playing time, as well as an opportunity this season to compete in the post-season,” Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said.