MLB Player News

McCullers pitched 4.1 innings and took the loss during Tuesday's 7-0 defeat to the Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series, allowing seven runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five.

Bryce Harper started the home-run parade in the first inning with a 402-foot blast, and the Phillies did not let up against McCullers for the entire night. The 29-year-old righty allowed just four homers across 47.2 innings during the regular season, but the Phillies tagged him for five in Game 3. The five homers represent the most that McCullers has ever allowed in a single game, and the seven earned runs were his most surrendered in a start since Aug, 5, 2020. If he doesn't get a chance to avenge himself, Tuesday's start may leave McCullers with a sour taste in his mouth as the season comes to a close -- his postseason ERA jumped from 2.45 to 4.17 after his struggles during Game 3 in Philadelphia.

Sale (wrist) opted into the final two years of his five-year, $145 million contract Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

If Sale had been healthy over the first few years of his deal, he may have decided to head back to the open market ahead of his age-34 season, but he simply hasn't been able to stay on the field. He's only made 11 total starts through the first three years of his contract, with Tommy John surgery wiping out all of his 2020 season and most of 2021 before a series of injuries limited him to just two outings in 2022. He's expected to be recovered from wrist surgery (on his non-throwing arm) by spring training and will attempt to be a much more significant contributor next season.

Javier will start Game 4 of the World Series against Philadelphia on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

There were initial conversations that Javier wasn't a sure thing to start Game 4 if Monday's Game 3 were to be rained out, but after MLB confirmed Monday's postponement, the Astros were quick to confirm that Javier would toe the rubber Wednesday night in Game 4. He's set to face off against Aaron Nola in Philadelphia.

McCullers will not make his scheduled start Monday night in Game 3 of the World Series against the Phillies, as the game has been postponed due to rain.

The Astros quickly announced that McCullers will simply have his start pushed back by a day, as Game 3 is now scheduled for Tuesday evening. The team then expects to turn to Cristian Javier in Game 4, Justin Verlander in Game 5 and Framber Valdez in Game 6, if needed.

Javier isn't guaranteed to start Game 4 on Wednesday if a Monday rainout pushes Game 3 back to Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Those delays would line up Justin Verlander on regular rest for Wednesday's Game 4. Of course, Javier excelled against the Yankees in the ALCS and Manager Dusty Baker said he's "undecided" about who'd start. If Monday's Game 3 is played, Javier appears locked in to start Game 4 on Tuesday.

McCullers will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Phillies on Monday.

He will pitch opposite Noah Syndergaard in his first appearance since throwing five innings against the Yankees on Oct. 23. McCullers has given up three earned runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 13 over 11 innings in two postseason starts.

Valdez pitched 6.1 innings and earned the win during Saturday's 5-2 win over the Phillies in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out nine.

Valdez gave the Astros a much-needed performance in Game 2, keeping the red-hot Phillies' lineup off the scoreboard until the seventh inning. The 28-year-old had great control with his curveball Saturday, and he recorded five of his nine K's via the breaking ball. Valdez has been outstanding in the playoffs -- he has allowed only three earned runs in 19 innings during the postseason while amassing 24 strikeouts. The southpaw finished the regular season at 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA, but he looks even better in the playoffs.

Verlander pitched five innings and did not factor into the decision Friday night in Game 1 of the World Series, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in a 6-5 loss to the Phillies.

Verlander was given a five-run advantage by the Houston offense, but he surrendered six hits and five runs in his last two innings and was unable to keep the lead. After three perfect innings to begin the game, the 39-year-old seemed on his way to another gem before the Phillies broke through and made consistent hard contact. Coming into the World Series with a 10-1 record and 1.64 ERA at home during the 2022 regular season, Verlander was expected to give the Astros a great chance at taking an early lead in the series. Instead, he has now given up five runs or more in two of his three playoff starts, a slightly alarming trend for the future Hall of Famer.

McCullers didn't factor in the decision during Sunday's 6-5 win over the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking six over five innings.

McCullers had a shaky start in Game 4, allowing the Yankees to go 8-for-23 and score runs in three of the five innings he pitched. The 29-year-old righty did not record a clean inning until his final inning before he was relieved by Hector Neris. Sunday's start was much different than his ALDS start against the Mariners that included six scoreless innings and only two hits. McCullers now boasts a 2.45 ERA with 13 K's over 11 innings, and his next opportunity to pitch will be in the World Series against the Phillies.

Cortes was removed from Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Sunday due to a left groin injury.

Cortes was visited by a trainer early in Sunday's matchup and remained in the game, but he was removed after allowing a three-run homer with no outs in the top of the third inning. Prior to his departure, he allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two in two innings. The severity of the issue isn't clear, and whether he's available later in the postseason if the Yankees advance remains to be seen.