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Tag: Kyle Tucker

  • MLB free-agent tracker: Sluggers Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber head the list

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    Kyle Schwarber, 33, DH, 4.7, 19.9: Schwarber is a premier slugger with 187 home runs in four seasons with Philadelphia, where he also was an exceptional clubhouse leader. He is pretty much restricted to designated hitter and is approaching an age where offensive production might decline. He still merits a lucrative multi-year deal, although going longer than four years at a $30 million average annual value (AAV) might be inviting buyer’s remorse by 2030.

    Kyle Tucker, 29, OF, 4.5, 27.3: Although his 2025 bWAR was lower than that of Bellinger and Schwarber, Tucker might have the highest sticker price in this free-agent class. The average of projections from 20 ESPN experts is 10 years and $391.5 million for a $38.8 million AAV. The Dodgers are considered a prime suitor because of their deep pockets and need for a productive corner outfielder.

    Eugenio Suárez, 34, 3B, 3.6, 26.8: A drop of nearly one win above replacement from the top three free agents — Bellinger, Schwarber and Tucker — still puts Suárez in an enviable position. Splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, Suarez tied a career high with 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs.

    Alex Bregman, 32, 3B, 3.5, 43.1: Even though Bregman’s bWAR was slightly lower than that of Suárez, he should command a larger deal because he’s younger and more well-rounded. Bregman missed 44 games because of injury in his single season in Bosto but put up solid numbers. His average bWAR over his 10-year career is 4.3.

    Trent Grisham, 29, OF, 3.5, 14.6: Grisham is an enigma, a first-round draft pick who blossomed with the Padres only to crater and bat under .200 three years in a row. He rebounded in 2025, swatting a career-high 34 home runs with the Yankees. Grisham also has two Gold Gloves in center field.

    Bo Bichette, 28, SS, 3.4, 20.8: Bichette showed his toughness by playing effectively in the World Series despite a lingering knee injury. Bichette can flat-out hit, accumulating more than 175 hits in four of the last five seasons with above-average power. He also plays a premium position and will turn only 28 in March, meaning he could command a contract exceeded only by that of Tucker.

    Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette hits a three-run home run during Game 7 of the World Series, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto.

    (Ashley Landis/AP)

    Pete Alonso, 31, 1B, 3.4, 23.3: Alonso was disappointed by the tepid interest in him as a free agent last offseason, re-signing with the Mets on a one-year, $30-million deal with a player option. He’s expected to test the market again after once again posting the glittering power numbers that have made him a fan favorite in New York for seven years.

    Josh Naylor, 28, 1B, 3.1, 8.4: The 5-foot-10, 235-pound left-handed slugger produced well in 2025 while splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, batting a career-high .295 and hitting precisely 20 home runs for the third time in five seasons.

    Gleyber Torres, 29, 2B, 2.9, 18.7: Torres needed to restore his value after taking a one-year deal with the Tigers following a ho-hum 2024 season with the Yankees. He did so incrementally and should land a measured multi-year deal this time around.

    J.T. Realmuto, 35, C, 2.6, 38.8: Realmuto is recognized as one of the top-hitting catchers in baseball, and he’s clearly the top free-agent backstop, proving in 2025 that he can still catch upward of 130 games while putting up solid offensive numbers. Still, he will be 35 on opening day and his .700 OPS was his lowest in a decade.

    Jorge Polanco, 32, 2B, 2.6, 20.7: Polanco hit 26 home runs and posted an .821 OPS, the switch-hitter’s best season since 2021 when he hit 33 homers and drove in 98 runs. Chronic knee problems have put his shortstop days behind him and cut into his range at second or third base, but the bat still plays.

    Mike Yastrzemski, 35, OF, 2.6, 16.8: Although the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski posted his best OPS (.839) since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he might be entertaining only contract offers of one year at $10 million or so.

    Ryan O’Hearn, 31, 1B/DH, 2.4, 3.1: O’Hearn is an accomplished left-handed hitter coming off a season split between the Orioles and Padres. He can expect a large raise from the $3.5 million he made in 2025, perhaps tripling it.

    Marcell Ozuna, 35, OF/DH, 1.6, 29.5: Ozuna is a proven power bat who has exceeded 20 home runs in nine seasons and led the NL with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in pandemic-shortened 2020. After tremendous 2023 and 2024 seasons in which he totaled 79 homers and 204 RBIs, Ozuna slipped in 2025, batting .232 with 21 home runs while battling hip pain.

    Luis Arráez, 29, 1B, 1.3, 16.5: Arráez doesn’t get much love from bWAR or fWAR, but he sure can hit, leading all major leaguers with a .317 lifetime average. He led the NL with 181 hits in 2025, but because he doesn’t hit for power or walk much, his OPS was a pedestrian .719. The three-time batting champion should continue to be paid about $14 million a year, with the question becoming for how long.

    Paul Goldschmidt, 38, 1B, 1.2, 63.8: Goldschmidt boasts the highest career bWAR of any free-agent hitter and he has made it clear that he is not ready to retire. His productivity, however, is trending downward, especially his power. With only 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 534 plate appearances with the Yankees last season, Goldschmidt is no longer an elite hitter.

    Victor Caratini, 32, C, 0.9, 4.3: Catchers are at a premium in this free-agent class and Caratini is one of the few with a potent bat and ability to play more than 100 games in a season. He most recently delivered on a two-year, $12-million deal with the Astros and could land a similar contract because of the scarcity of backstops.

    Steve Henson

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  • Vetting the Free Agent Market – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Phillies

    With the off-season almost in full effect, the Phillies will look to bolster their roster during the winter meetings. The free agent class isn’t anything special, but there are a few big names available. 

    It will be interesting to see what the Phillies do since most of their roster is under contract. Rightfully so, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos are the two names constantly out in trade talks. Whether they trade them for a direct replacement or overall roster improvement is set to be seen. I don’t see them being able to move, say, Castellanos for a quality starting right fielder. It is more likely they would be able to move him for a bench guy or low-level reliever.

    After looking through each position there aren’t a ton of free agents options that stick out to me. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the potential free agents the Phillies could benefit from. 

    CATCHER

    The obvious re-sign here is JT Realmuto. Not only is he the best catcher on the market, he is still a top player at his position in baseball. I mean just look at some of the other names out there Salvador Perez, Victor Caratini, Danny Janson, James McCann, Austin Barnes, Gary Sanches, shall I go on? There really isn’t a question on what to do here.

    FIRST BASE

    First base is a little more interesting because of Pete Alonso. The Mets first baseman may be the best player available on the market. Alonso has a player option with the Mets but can elect to become a free agent like he did after last season. Alonso, who hit .272 with 38 homeruns and 126 RBIS last season would provide a huge boost to the lineup. He could split time at first base with Bryce, allowing Harper to get the rest he needs at this point in his career. The die hard in me says no thank you to Alonso. He may be a productive addition, but I would struggle seeing that man in a Phillies uniform. 

    Ryan O’Hearn and Josh Naylor were the two other names that stuck out to me, but I don’t see the Phillies having interest in those guys, unless O’Hearn was brought on as a bench bat.

    SHORTSTOP

    The Phillies do not need a shortstop; however, we do need a third baseman. Bo Bichette would be an unreal replacement for Bohm. He will probably receive a massive contract, so I doubt the Phillies can make the money work, but adding Bichette to this lineup would be a difference maker.

    Trevor Story was the other option at shortstop, but I see him returning to Boston. He has a club option (that the Red Sox can reject), however Story was a productive player for the Red Sox this season and he will stay put in Boston.

    Third Base

    The hot corner is up for grabs this year in Philadelphia. Free agent wise Alex Bregman is the most obvious move the Phillies make. He is an experienced player who is an above average fielder and hitter. His offense will provide more consistency than Bohm, and he is more mature which should help the Phillies in the playoffs. Maybe the Bregman move is too obvious and Dombrowski goes another route, but this move makes sense for the Phillies. 

    Eugenio Suarez is another intriguing third baseman, however his age (34) may be an issue for Philadelphia. The Phillies did express interest at the deadline, so he may be on their radar but I don’t see Suarez as a great FA signing for the club. 

    Max Muncy does have a club option, which I expect to be picked up. Muncy would be awesome to have on this roster even at 35. He can play all over the infield and is a proven bat. Unlikely he isn’t a Dodger, but an interesting name that may be available to the Phillies. 

    CENTER FIELDER

    Outfield is another spot the ballclub will look to upgrade this off season. The outfield in Philadelphia is wide open. The two best options for center are Cody Bellinger and Harrison Bader. Bellinger will cost a pretty penny and seems like a guy who would stay in NY, but he would be an ideal fit for the Phillies. He can play all 3 outfield positions and first base. With our current lineup, I wish he batted right-handed, but Bellinger would be a difference maker for this team offensively and defensively. Bader would also be a great signing. He does have a player option, which most likely gets declined making Bader a FA. He provided outstanding defense and vibes to the Phillies last season. Bader would be welcomed back to Philadelphia.

    RIGHT FIELDER

    There is only one right fielder I would be interested in and he would be my ideal FA signing – Kyle Tucker. Still only 29 years old, Tucker will thrive in this Phillies lineup. He can fill in at the four spot behind Bryce, giving him the protection he needs. Although his defense has declined the last few seasons Tucker is still a capable defender and an upgrade over Castellanos. This signing would make the Phillies off-season and only add to their World Series potential. 

    DESIGNATED HITTER

    Easy one here. Sign Schwarber, unless you want Joc Pederson (lol) or Marcell Ozuna (LOL). Pay him what he wants.

    STARTING PITCHERS

    One thing the Phillies are flush in is starting pitching. The Phillies own Ranger Suarez is a free agent, but even if they don’t re-sign him the starting pitching still looks good. There are some big names on this list, but if the Phillies were to add a starter in FA (outside of bringing back Ranger) I could see a name like Zac Gallen or Shane Bieber being connected to the Phillies. With Painter still a little bit of an unknown and the injury to Wheeler, either would be a potential sneaky add to the Phillies, that gives them the pitching depth needed for the playoffs.

    RELIEF PITCHERS

    The bullpen could also use some work. Alvarado has a club option so it is yet to be seen if he will be back. With the need for a left-handed arm, it is likely Alvarado stays with the club. Regardless they need to fill the spots of Romano, Ross, and Robertson. There are a few relievers on the market that should interest Dombrowski. First, Devin Williams. He had a somewhat of a down year with the Yankees but still has electric stuff. Adding him to the bullpen with Duran (and Caleb Cotham) could be deadly. Tyler Rodgers is another name that interests me. Although a little older the submarine pitcher is still highly effective. He could be a useful player but may add too many right-handed arms. The last name that stood out was all-star closer Robert Suarez. Coming off a monster season with the Padres, Suarez can opt out of his contract. Maybe he decides to chase a payday. Unlikely but his arm would be a welcomed addition to the bullpen.

    Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch

    Tags: Dave Dombrowski Kyle Tucker Major League Baseball Philadelphia Phillies Ranger Suarez

    Categorized: Phillies

    Liam Mahoney

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  • Kyle Tucker Injury: Former Major League GM Explains Cubs’ Internal Debate

    When Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right hand in June, he was able to avoid the injured list.

    However, Tucker’s production went into a tailspin. After hitting .311 in 25 games in June with five home runs, Tucker hit .218 in July with only one home run. August has been even worse for the four-time All-Star: a .148 batting average, with no extra-base hits in 54 at-bats.

    Tucker’s .235 slugging percentage since July 1 ranks 168th among 169 outfielders, according to Paul Hembekides of ESPN, and his minus-22 run value in the strike zone is MLB‘s worst.

    More news: Astros Outfielder Leaves Field on Cart With Possible Concussion

    The Cubs conceded the obvious this week, when Tucker was benched following an 0-for-4 performance Monday against Milwaukee. The hope is that he will still be able to avoid the injured list, and regain some of his lost production with a little time off.

    Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 4, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

    Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

    Tucker’s absence has allowed the Cubs to get a long look at Owen Caissie, their top outfield prospect. The 23-year-old has gone 4 for 11 with a home run, four RBIs, and three runs scored in four games against the Brewers.

    The question of when Tucker plays again depends as much on the strength of his right hand as it does on Caissie’s ability to produce — at least in the eyes of one former major league general manager.

    More news: Former Mets Pitcher Passes Away

    “That falls on the manager and the head trainer often to decipher those things,” former Minnesota Twins general manager Thad Levine said on the “Rosters to Rings” podcast.

    “It’s like that age-old debate of like, do you want to keep playing him through the injury, because you know the alternative is not great — and if he can heal fast, then you want him on the field,” Levine said. “But then all of a sudden you’re compromising his ability. And in baseball, you put (Tucker) on the IL, he’s down for 10 days, maybe we can’t afford the 10 days. It’s all part of the Rubik’s cube.”

    The Cubs are trying to chase down the Brewers for first place in the National League Central. A head-to-head series is an inopportune time to tell your best player he’s going to the injured list.

    The Cubs have won three consecutive games, cutting the Brewers’ lead in the division to six. Milwaukee began the month of August with a streak of 14 consecutive wins.

    Perhaps the threat of having Tucker available to pinch hit off the bench remains a weapon manager Craig Counsell is unwilling to surrender.

    In these situations, Levine said, “it’s a really tough thing to do, so that falls on the manager and the head trainer often times to really decipher those things.”

    For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.

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  • Astros Clinch AL West with Win Over Mariners

    Astros Clinch AL West with Win Over Mariners

    There weren’t a ton of hits for the Astros, but the ones they got mattered as three of their six hits were home runs in a tense 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners. More importantly, the win coupled with the Mariners loss clinches the fourth straight AL West title for the Astros with four games remaining in the season.

    It caps one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent history with the Astros trailing the Mariners by double digits early in the season only to come roaring back and capture the division once again capping it off against the team they were once chasing.

    With less than a week of games left, the win now allows a team that is a bit banged up to rest some of their players and set up their rotation for a Wild Card series that will begin next week.

    Like so many things this season, nothing came easy. The Astros led off the first with a homer from Alex Bregman, but the Mariners quickly took the lead 3-1. Two more long balls, one from Kyle Tucker and a two-run shot from Jason Heyward, gave them a lead they would not relinquish.

    Framber Valdez with five-and-two-thirds innings giving up all three runs and did not have his best stuff. But the relief crew including Jose Abreu, Ryan Pressly and Josh Hader shut down the M’s for the win.

    During an on-field postgame interview, an emotional Joe Espada celebrated the division crown in his first year as manager. “What a team,” he said.

    Heyward, who was just added to the team a few weeks ago, belted yet another homer and made a huge play in the outfield. He has been a terrific addition in a year that has needed every single player they could put on the roster.

    It was fitting that not only the Astros clinched versus the Mariners, but Hader got the save after signing a huge deal as closer in the offseason. He had ups and downs throughout the year, but also displayed moments of brilliance like Tuesday night, picking up his thirty-fourth save.

    As the Astros pop the corks in celebration, there is plenty of work left to do. They get a brief respite to rest some players, but the AL is incredibly competitive and the Astros probably won’t know who they will face next week until this weekend.

    For now, they can enjoy a moment that, back in May, very few thought would happen.

    Jeff Balke

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  • Astros Swept by Yankees to Open 2024 Season: Some Numbers to Demonstrate How Bad It Is

    Astros Swept by Yankees to Open 2024 Season: Some Numbers to Demonstrate How Bad It Is

    The Astros dropped their fourth straight game to the Yankees on Sunday in a sweep to open the season. It was a brutal series for the Astros made up of some bad pitching, an absence of timely hitting and a bit of bad luck. This isn’t to say the Yankees aren’t a good team. They clearly are, perhaps better than some prognosticators suggested. The addition of Juan Soto, who just crushed the Astros all weekend, is clearly a huge move for them.

    The Astros got fairly solid pitching from some members of the rotation like Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and J.P. France, who battled on Sunday. They also had some solid outings from relievers like Seth Martinez and Rafael Montero (a single solo home run notwithstanding). But, they gave up runs at the wrong times and left far too many players on base.

    They also suffered from some dumb luck. On Sunday, the Yankees managed to score runs and get on base with several bloop singles while Astros batters hammered balls directly at Yankee defenders. It resulted in a comedy of errors and a four-game sweep at the hands of New York.

    Want to know how bad it really was? Let’s look at the numbers.

    1978

    That was the year the last time the Astros opened a season with four straight losses. They finished that season 74-88, fifth in the NL West. The Astros are much better than that team than the ’78 squad despite the 303 strikeouts from J.R. Richard. But, it is the kind of inauspicious beginning no team wants.

    7-26

    The record for the Astros at home in their last 33 games including the postseason. That is an absolutely remarkable number when you consider how bad a team has to be to go 7-26 period. But, at home? That is the kind of home record from teams at the bottom of their division, not one considered among the best in baseball.

    October 7

    The last time the Astros won a game at Minute Maid Park in the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. Just following up on that 7-26 thing, what is the deal in Houston’s home ballpark? Do they need to sacrifice a chicken to break some curse?

    .118/.342

    Yordan Alvarez’ slugging percentage versus his expected slugging. Even .342 is low, but it’s more than double the actual number showing just how unlucky he has been at the plate. Alvarez has crushed a few baseballs right at players. Kyle Tucker as well. That luck is bound to turn around as the season progresses. Both Alvarez and Tucker will be very good this year despite the rough start.

    8.53

    The combined ERA by the Astros three best relievers, Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu, who have allowed 6 runs in six-and-one-third innings. Make no mistake, these will be three very good relief pitchers as the season progresses. And, honestly, Hader has just given up one run and otherwise looked terrific. But when you are counting so much on the seventh, eighth and ninth inning pitchers to protect late inning leads (assuming you get them), this is not the start you want.

    34

    The number of players the Astros left on base during the four-game Yankees series. An incredible 15 of those were in scoring position. This is a trend that goes back to last season when the Astros were 20th in this category in baseball. But, you can withstand leaving players on base so long as your average with runners in scoring position is solid. The Astros were sixth in that category in 2023. They are currently 26th.

    Jeff Balke

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  • Realmuto, Phils rally past Astros in 10 to open World Series

    Realmuto, Phils rally past Astros in 10 to open World Series

    HOUSTON — A timely swing by J.T. Realmuto propelled the Philadelphia Phillies to an unlikely win in the World Series opener.

    A terrific stab by right fielder Nick Castellanos gave him that shot.

    Realmuto hit a solo home run in the 10th inning and the Phillies, saved by Castellanos’ sliding catch, rallied past the Houston Astros 6-5 Friday night.

    Down 5-0 early against Astros ace Justin Verlander, the Phillies became the first team in 20 years to overcome a five-run deficit to win a World Series game.

    They can thank Castellanos for getting the chance. Known much more for his bat than glove, he rushed in to make a game-saving grab on Jeremy Peña’s blooper with two outs in the ninth inning and a runner on second.

    “All in all, it was a great game, a great come from behind victory, and it just showed the resilience of the club again and how tough they are and they just never quit,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

    Realmuto, who hit a tying, two-run double in the fifth off Verlander, completed the comeback when he led off the 10th by sending a fastball from Luis García into the seats.

    Realmuto hoped for the best as he saw right fielder Kyle Tucker pursuing the ball.

    “Once I saw him running back to the wall, I was thinking in my head, ‘Oh, please just don’t catch it, just don’t catch it.’”

    He didn’t, the ball sailing just beyond his reach.

    Realmuto circled the bases in a scene he dreamed about as a kid.

    “Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. I mean Wiffle Ball games in the backyard, the whole 3-2, bases-loaded, two-out situation. I probably had 7,000 at-bats in that situation growing up,” he said.

    And did he usually deliver?

    “Every time, yes,” Realmuto said, laughing.

    Realmuto became the first catcher to hit an extra-inning home run in the World Series since Carlton Fisk waved his walk-off fair in the 12th inning of Game 6 in the 1975 Series against Cincinnati at Fenway Park.

    Big-hitting Bryce Harper added two singles for the Phillies in his World Series debut. The two-time NL MVP is batting .426 (20 for 47) with five homers this postseason.

    Tucker homered twice for the Astros, who had been 7-0 in this postseason.

    “Disappointing, yeah, for sure,” Verlander said. “I need to do better. No excuses.”

    Houston had a chance in the 10th when Alex Bregman doubled with one out. After Yuli Gurriel drew a two-out walk, David Robertson bounced a wild pitch that put runners on second and third.

    Pinch-hitter Aledmys Díaz was then hit by a 2-0 pitch from David Robertson — but plate umpire James Hoye ruled that Díaz leaned into the pitch and didn’t permit him to go to first to load the bases.

    Díaz grounded out on a 3-1 pitch to end it.

    The last team to blow a 5-0 lead in the World Series was the 2002 San Francisco Giants, who squandered their chance in Game 6 to close out the Angels and win the title under manager Dusty Baker.

    Baker saw it happen again this time as manager of the Astros, by the same 6-5 final score.

    The 106-win Astros hadn’t lost to anyone since Philadelphia beat them on Oct. 3 behind Aaron Nola to clinch a wild-card spot as a third-place team and earn its first playoff trip in 11 years.

    Houston raced out to a big lead thanks in large part to Tucker’s two homers. But the Phillies stormed back as Verlander again struggled in the World Series.

    Perfect as he took a 5-0 lead into the fourth, he exited after the fifth with the score 5-all. That left him 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight career World Series starts — hardly the line for a pitcher who’s expected to soon pick up his third Cy Young Award.

    The Astros fell to 0-5 in World Series openers and dropped their first game this postseason after sweeping in the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series.

    Seranthony Domínguez pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win when Castellanos made his stellar play.

    With Jose Altuve on second base after his two-out single and stolen base, Peña hit a ball that came off the bat at 68 mph and went only about 200 feet. Castellanos ran a long way, then with a lunge made the inning-ending catch while sliding to the ground.

    Right before the pitch, Castellanos moved in a little closer.

    “That was just what my instincts told me to do. I just thought he had a better chance of trying to bloop something in there than torching something over my head,” he said.

    In the opener of the NL Division Series against Atlanta, Castellanos drove in three runs and helped preserve the lead with a somewhat similar catch in the ninth of that 7-6 win.

    “I’ve had a couple people say that it seemed like a carbon copy of each other,” he said. “But I’m just happy that an out was made and we were able to go on and win both those games.”

    In the World Series for the fourth time in six years — and after losing to Atlanta in six games last year — these Astros are looking to give Baker his first title as a manager and get their second championship after winning it in 2017, a title tainted by a sign-stealing scandal.

    The surprising Phillies, who have two championships, are in the World Series for the first time since 2009. They bounced back from a 21-29 start that led to manager Joe Girardi’s firing.

    Tucker had the orange-clad home crowd rocking early as he became the first player in franchise history with a multi-home run game in the World Series. One of the few players in the majors to hit without batting gloves and suddenly exuding attitude, he had four RBIs a year after finishing the Fall Classic without one.

    The normally mild-mannered Tucker punctuated his first homer with a nifty bat flip and mixed in an expletive as he screamed toward the dugout while beginning his trot.

    Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his last trip to Minute Maid Park, more than three weeks ago when Philadelphia secured its first playoff spot since 2011. Things didn’t go nearly as smooth in his return Friday.

    Tucker sent an off-speed pitch from Nola soaring high and into the seats in right field to put Houston up 1-0 with no outs in the second. Gurriel, Chas McCormick and Martín Maldonado added singles for another run.

    Peña, the ALCS MVP, doubled to open Houston’s third before Yordan Alvarez grounded out. He was initially ruled safe, but the Phillies challenged the call, and it was overturned.

    Bregman, who was Nola’s roommate at LSU, walked before Tucker went deep again, knocking a ball into the stands behind the bullpen in right-center to extend it to 5-0.

    Verlander, who had an MLB-best 1.75 ERA in the regular season, allowed six hits and five runs in five innings. He joined Roger Clemens as the only pitchers in major league history to make a World Series start in three different decades but still could not claim that elusive World Series win. Friday was his 12th career start in a postseason series opener, tying him with Jon Lester for most in MLB history.

    Verlander, who started his third Series opener, retired the first 10 batters before Rhys Hoskins singled with one out in the fourth. Harper and Castellanos singled for a run and Alec Bohm hit a two-run double to cut the lead to 5-3.

    Brandon Marsh opened the fifth with a double before Kyle Schwarber walked. Realmuto sent them both home with a double off the wall in left-center to tie it at 5-all.

    UP NEXT

    Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler opposes Framber Valdez when the series continues Saturday night.

    ———

    More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Cortes hurt, leaves after tying 3-run HR in ALCS Game 4

    Cortes hurt, leaves after tying 3-run HR in ALCS Game 4

    NEW YORK — Nestor Cortes’ fastball dropped 3 mph from the end of the second inning to the third in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series, and New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone walked to the mound with head athletic trainer Tim Lentych.

    “He said he was fine,” Boone recalled. “I’m not going to just pull him out of the game because he isn’t perfect.”

    Eight pitches later, Cortes allowed a tying three-run homer to Jeremy Peña and the Astros went on to a 6-5 victory Sunday night that completed a four-game AL Championship Series sweep.

    “It’s kind of embarrassing that that happened, obviously, with the circumstances we were in,” Cortes said.

    Cortes had reaggravated his strained left groin during workouts in the five days ahead of the Division Series opener against Cleveland on Oct. 11 but made a pair of starts against the Guardians and won Game 5.

    He allowed a single and a walk in the first two innings against the Astros, then walked Martín Maldonado leading off the third and had a 2-1 count on Jose Altuve when Boone made the mound visit after his eighth pitch of the inning.

    “He asked me how I felt and I told him, `I feel well enough to compete. I feel great,’” Cortes recalled. “He knows I’m a competitor. He knows that it’s going to be hard to take me off the mound. And I think I showed all year that I’ve gained respect from him to leave me out there and grind through it.”

    Cortes threw 17 fastballs in the first two innings against Houston ranging from 89.4 to 92.4 mph. His seven in the second inning were from 87.7 mph to 89.1 mph.

    His control was off. Cortes went to three-ball counts on seven of 11 batters and he threw just 28 of 55 pitches for strikes.

    “It gradually got worse. It started locking up on me there in the third,” Cortes said.

    Altuve’s walk marked the first time the 27-year-old All-Star left-hander walked consecutive batters this year. He fell behind 3-1 when Pena homered on a cutter, driving it into the left-field seats.

    “I don’t think that homer was because I was hurt,” Cortes said. “It was just, he put a good swing to it. I thought I had located the pitch pretty well.”

    Cortes did not pitch between Aug. 21 and Sept. 8 because of a strained left groin, then returned to make five regular-season starts and two in the Division Series, when he allowed three runs in 10 innings.

    “It’s been lingering for a while,” he said.

    Cortes thought he could pitch through it and Boone believed him.

    “We’ve been dealing with this on different levels for a couple months,” Boone said. “He said he was fine and then obviously wasn’t quite fine enough.”

    ———

    More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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