MLB Previews

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies each used eight pitchers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, a contest won by the Diamondbacks behind a three-run, eighth-inning rally. With so many arms needed in Arizona’s 6-5 victory that tied the best-of-seven series at two wins apiece, both managers are counting on their aces to come through with lengthy performances on Saturday in Game 5. The Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen (17-9,

The Houston Astros dominated the past two games of the American League Championship Series with their bats. Now they will look for ace pitcher Justin Verlander to play a big role on Friday afternoon when the right-hander takes the mound for the crucial Game 5 matchup against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. The best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece. Houston dropped the first two games of the ALCS at home before it

The Houston Astros are red hot on the road, and no place is more appealing than Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Astros have scored 59 runs in their last five road games against the Texas Rangers as the rivals prepare to battle in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night. Texas holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, but Houston gained momentum with an 8-5 victory on Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA — The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn’t complete their late-inning comeback on Monday night against Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen. Even so, the Diamondbacks hope their near-miss translates into the type of momentum boost that eluded the Atlanta Braves against the Phillies last week. Arizona will look to even the National League Championship Series on Tuesday night when the teams play Game 2 of the best-of-seven set. Merrill Kelly (1-0, 0.00 ERA this postseason)

HOUSTON — Outpitched by his counterpart of the Texas Rangers, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander didn’t appear overly concerned in the aftermath of a 2-0 loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. Participating in their seventh consecutive ALCS, the longest such streak in AL postseason history, the Astros have shown resilience plenty of times previously. Their inability to solve Montgomery made for a micro issue, but it

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson was quick with an answer when addressing the No. 1 threat posed by the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the National League Championship Series. “They run,” Thomson said Saturday. “And when you think they’re done running, they’re going to run some more.” The Phillies will look to keep speedy rookie Corbin Carroll and company off the bases on Monday when the teams play Game 1 of the NLCS in Philadelphia. Carroll

HOUSTON — It was June 23 and the Texas Rangers held a 6 1/2-game lead in the American League West over the Houston Astros, a cushion that almost seemed insurmountable, given how the teams were performing at the time. There was little reason to predict the frantic chase for the division title that would follow over the final three-plus months of the regular season. It was a pursuit that concluded with the Astros claiming the

MINNEAPOLIS — The Houston Astros will try to advance to the American League Championship Series for the seventh season in a row when they face the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The Astros hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five AL Division Series entering Game 4. Houston split the first two games of the series at home before cruising to a 9-1 win in Game 3 on Tuesday in Minnesota. Jose Abreu homered twice for the