Category Archives: baseball

Imanaga becomes eligible for free agency after Cubs, pitcher turn down options, AP source says

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CHICAGO (AP) — Left-hander Shota Imanaga has become eligible for free agency after the Chicago Cubs declined an option to extend his contract for the 2026-28 seasons, which would have guaranteed $57 million. Additionally, Imanaga himself turned down a $15.25 million option for 2026, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The source spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet announced the decisions.

Imanaga initially agreed to a contract in January 2024 that guaranteed $53 million. Over two seasons, he earned $23.25 million, which included a $250,000 escalator for 2025 after finishing fourth in the 2024 National League Cy Young Award voting.

The Cubs faced a deadline this week to decide whether to exercise their option for $20.25 million each in 2026 and 2027, and $17.25 million in 2028. These figures could have increased by $250,000 annually due to the escalator clause. Once the team declined the option, Imanaga had the choice on a separate 2026 option. If he had exercised that, it would have triggered club options worth $24.25 million in 2027 and $15.25 million in 2028.

The Cubs still have the option to extend Imanaga a qualifying offer of $22,025,000 for 2026. Should he decline this offer and sign with another team before the amateur draft, Chicago would receive a draft pick as compensation.

Imanaga, 32, was an All-Star in 2024, finishing the season with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA, and placing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. During the current season, he posted a 9-8 record with a 3.73 ERA in 25 starts. His season was interrupted between May 24 and June 26 by a strained left hamstring.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-imanaga-becomes-eligible-for-free-agency-after-cubs-pitcher-turn-down-options-ap-source-says/

John Schneider explains controversial decision to keep Kevin Gausman in Game 2 after Will Smith home run

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The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to baffling opponents with brilliant pitching in Game 2 of the World Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw his second straight complete game of the postseason on Saturday, helping the Dodgers tie the series.

Yamamoto’s outstanding performance overshadowed a strong start from Kevin Gausman. The Toronto Blue Jays ace managed to match Yamamoto frame for frame through six innings, turning Game 2 into a true pitchers’ duel.

The Dodgers finally broke through in the seventh inning with solo home runs by Will Smith and Max Muncy. LA’s 3-1 lead proved to be more than enough for a dialed-in Yamamoto, who closed out the game brilliantly.

However, some Blue Jays fans questioned manager John Schneider’s decision to leave Gausman in the game to face the Dodgers’ lineup for the third time, especially after Smith’s 404-foot homer.

“We try to really take that into consideration. Got Shohei [for the third time in the sixth inning],” Schneider explained, according to TSN. “I think at that point it’s just game state. So I trusted Kev to get out of that. Even though it’s his third time. You kinda watch what he’s doing.”

Gausman started the seventh inning by retiring Freddie Freeman. He then faced Will Smith, who worked the count to full before Gausman threw six straight fastballs. Smith clobbered the final four-seamer into the second deck in left field, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

At this point, Gausman had thrown 72 pitches. Schneider chose to keep the two-time All-Star in the game, and Gausman struck out Teoscar Hernandez swinging. But he wouldn’t escape the inning unscathed, as Max Muncy belted another fastball deep to left field, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1.

Louis Varland relieved Gausman and retired Kike Hernandez to end the seventh inning. Although Varland ran into some trouble the following inning as LA extended its lead further to 5-1, Schneider’s decision to leave Gausman in against Muncy did not ultimately change the outcome.

Yamamoto only needed a one-run lead as he mowed down 20 straight Blue Jays to close out his complete game. Meanwhile, Gausman had found a groove earlier in Game 2. After Smith’s RBI single in the first inning, the 34-year-old starter retired 17 consecutive Dodgers before Smith’s seventh-inning home run ended the streak.

Yamamoto and Gausman made history as the first starters to retire 17+ straight batters in a postseason game, highlighting the exceptional pitching duel that defined Game 2 of the World Series.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/blue-jays-news-john-schneider-kevin-gausman-game-2-will-smith-home-run

Remembering the 2000 Subway Series 25 years later: New York’s ‘Baseball Woodstock’ as told by those who lived it

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Twenty-five years ago today, the New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 2000 World Series. To this day, it remains the only championship meeting between these two iconic teams.

The final out came when Mike Piazza hit a deep fly ball to center field, which landed securely in Bernie Williams’ glove just a minute after midnight. This moment marked the culmination of an unforgettable week—a week that Michael Kay recalls as a time when “New York baseball was the center of the universe.”

This is the story of the city, the stakes, and the noise surrounding that legendary series, told through the memories of those who played it, called it, and lived it.

God bless October baseball. ’TIS THE SEASON.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/25/sports/remembering-mets-yankees-subway-series-25-years-later/

Don Mattingly has never stopped trying to get to this baseball mountaintop

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TORONTO — The clip is easy to find online, so you can see what it looked like. Crank the volume, and you might even be able to approximate what the 57,126 fans in attendance that night heard.

Let’s see if I can make you appreciate what it felt like.

Bottom of the sixth. Tied 2-2. October 4, 1995, at Yankee Stadium. That would be the previous Yankee Stadium—not the artificial-noise mall they play in now, but a baseball cathedral with all the age and creaks to match.

The stadium would move, sway, and bounce in good moments.

The Yankees had not had many good moments for more than a decade, ever since Don Mattingly was a great baseball Odysseus, with the playoffs his unreachable Ithaca. But now, he had a team and a time. So much so that he had decided in September to damn his damaged back and swing all out the rest of the way—whatever happened, happened.

What happened was he hit young again that September and October. The Yankees got to the playoffs for the first time in Mattingly’s tenure, the team rallying around their beloved captain.

Now, in Game 2 of the AL Division Series, it was Mattingly against Seattle’s Andy Benes—an Evansville, Indiana, guy as well. Benes left a 1-0 changeup delectably down and in. Mattingly golfed it into the bleachers.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/sports/don-mattingly-has-never-stopped-trying-to-get-to-this-baseball-mountaintop/

World Series: Trip to see Dodgers play Blue Jays in Toronto will cost you big bucks

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Dodger fans looking to support Big Blue in the World Series will have to spend some serious cash if they plan on making a trip to Toronto.

Game 1 of the World Series is set for Friday at Rogers Centre, and the cost of booking a flight to get there before the first pitch is not cheap. A search for round-trip, non-stop flights leaving Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday found seats starting at $1,200 apiece.

Meanwhile, the least expensive seat at the stadium for Friday’s game costs more than $900. And that’s before factoring in other related expenses such as hotels, restaurants, and car rentals. With an investment easily climbing into the thousands of dollars, travel experts urge fans to be prepared.

“Check your passport,” warns Doug Shupe with the Automobile Club of Southern California. “Make sure it’s a valid passport and that it is not expired. You don’t want to get to the airport, realize that your passport is expired, and miss out on this great opportunity.”

For fans who want to see a World Series game but save thousands, consider getting tickets at Dodger Stadium. While you won’t have to worry about airfare or hotels, the cheapest tickets at home still start at more than $800.

https://abc7.com/post/world-series-2025-heres-how-could-cost-see-dodgers-blue-jays-toronto/18053100/

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthew drops 1-word reaction as Blue Jays advances to World Series after three decades

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Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Reacts to Blue Jays’ World Series Appearance

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews expressed excitement after the Toronto Blue Jays advanced to the World Series for the first time in over 30 years. The Blue Jays secured a 4-3 victory against the Seattle Mariners on Monday, prompting Matthews to share his reaction on social media.

He reshared the Blue Jays’ Instagram post which read, “WE’RE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!! #WANTITALL.” Matthews added his own enthusiastic comment, writing “LFGGG,” a slang term short for “Let’s fu*king go.”

Auston Matthews’ 2024-25 Season Recap

Matthews had a busy 2024-25 season, marking his first year as team captain. Despite missing 15 games due to two separate injuries, he still delivered strong offensive numbers, scoring 33 goals and compiling 78 points across 67 games. Although these numbers were lower than his impressive 69-goal tally in the 2023-24 season, Matthews continued to be a key player for the Leafs.

During the playoffs, Matthews recorded 11 points in 13 games, netting three goals and providing eight assists. He started the postseason strong but struggled in the later matchups, going scoreless in four of the last five games against the Florida Panthers. Toronto defeated the Ottawa Senators in the first round but ultimately fell to the Panthers in a tough seven-game series.

It was another disappointing season for the Maple Leafs, who have only managed two winning campaigns since drafting Matthews first overall in 2016. However, Matthews is reportedly healthier this season and has already contributed two goals and two assists in six games.

Maple Leafs Fall to Kraken in Overtime

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. Josh Mahura scored the winning goal just 3:06 into overtime.

Toronto showed moments of strong play, with John Tavares scoring twice, including a power-play goal. Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews also contributed offensively with a goal and an assist, respectively.

Despite their efforts, the Leafs made critical mistakes at key moments, which allowed the Kraken to seize the lead. Toronto coach Craig Berube acknowledged the team’s inconsistency throughout the game.

“When the Leafs played the right way, they looked good, but too many lapses hurt them,” Berube said. He also pointed out spacing issues and a breakdown in man-to-man coverage that led to the overtime-winning goal.

Looking Ahead

Toronto will aim to bounce back as they face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Fans will be eager to see the Leafs tighten their play and return to winning form.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/news-maple-leafs-auston-matthew-drops-1-word-reaction-blue-jays-advances-world-series-three-decades

D7―6巨（12日）　DeNA逆転サヨナラ勝ち

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スポーツ速報
D7―6巨（10月12日）
DeNAが逆転サヨナラ勝ち

2025年10月12日 18:53 更新（18:54）
※この記事は有料会員限定です。

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DeNAが5―6で迎えた延長十一回、2死無走者の場面から安打と二盗で攻め込み、林選手が同点打を放ちました。さらに一、三塁のチャンスで蝦名選手が左前に打ち返し、逆転のサヨナラ勝ちを収めました。

巨人は十一回に佐々木選手の安打で一度リードを奪いましたが、2イニング目の田中選手が抑えきれませんでした。

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※クリップ機能は有料会員の方のみご利用いただけます。
無料で7日間トライアル可能。1日あたり37円で読み放題、年払いならさらにお得です。

西日本新聞meとは？

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https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410544/

ドジャース戦、午前9時8分開始　リーグ優勝決定S、日本時間

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スポーツ ドジャース戦、午前9時8分開始 リーグ優勝決定シリーズ（ナ・リーグ）日本時間 2025年10月12日 16:58更新

【ロサンゼルス共同】米大リーグで大谷翔平、山本由伸、佐々木朗希が所属するドジャースが、ミルウォーキーでブルワーズと対戦するナ・リーグ優勝決定シリーズ（7回戦制）第1戦の試合開始時間が、13日午後7時に決定しました。

本記事は有料会員限定の記事となります。クリップ機能のご利用も有料会員のみとなっておりますので、ご了承ください。

西日本新聞meとは？

【有料会員限定情報】残り84文字。7日間無料トライアル実施中。1日37円で読み放題、年払いならさらにお得です。

https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410494/

【試合結果】第157回九州地区高校野球長崎大会（11日・佐世保市総合グラウンド野球場）

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【試合結果】第157回九州地区高校野球長崎大会（11日・佐世保市総合グラウンド野球場）

2025年10月12日 6:00 更新 6:14

第157回九州地区高校野球長崎大会の準決勝が佐世保市総合グラウンド野球場で行われました。

準決勝結果

  • 長崎日大 6－5 九州文化学園
  • 長崎西 4－3 大崎

佐世保北が長崎西に逆転勝ちを収め、波佐見など計8校の8強が出そろいました。

また、7月9日に行われた試合では、長崎南が九回に勝ち越しを果たし、九州文化学園などが2回戦進出を決めています。

今後も注目の試合が続きます。最新情報は引き続きお伝えしていきます。

https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410388/

楽天・則本、海外FA行使を明言　日米双方視野「悔いなく」

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2025/10/11 17:56 （2025/10/11 17:57 更新）

[有料会員限定記事]

楽天の則本昂大投手（34）が11日、楽天モバイルパーク宮城で報道陣の取材に応じ、米大リーグ挑戦を視野に入れ海外フリーエージェント（FA）権を行使することを明言した。

今季で楽天との7年契約が終了。国内外の動向に注目が集まる。

※この記事は有料会員限定です。
残り182文字。
7日間無料トライアルあり。
1日37円で読み放題、年払いならさらにお得。

※クリップ機能は有料会員の方のみご利用いただけます。

https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1410280/