MLB Player News
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Walker Buehler SP | LAD
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Starting status for Game 2 uncertain
Manager Dave Roberts explained Sunday that Buehler's likelihood of starting Game 2 of the NLCS versus the Mets could depend on how heavily the team deploys the bullpen in Game 1, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1 on Sunday, and it sounds like Los Angeles will try to get decent depth from him. If the right-hander isn't able to go very deep and the bullpen gets heavy use, it appears the Dodgers will start Buehler on Monday in Game 2. On the other hand, if the bullpen is mostly spared in Game 1, Los Angeles may opt for a bullpen game Monday -- a strategy that was key in helping the team come back from a 2-1 deficit against San Diego in the NLDS. Buehler started Game 3 in that series and took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk without striking out a batter over five frames.
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Tanner Bibee SP | CLE
Guardians' Tanner Bibee: Tabbed to start Game 2 of ALCS
Bibee has been confirmed to start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Bibee's most recent start came in Game 4 of the ALDS versus Detroit, when he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four innings. The right-hander also started Game 1 of that series and fared better, tossing 4.2 scoreless frames with six punchouts and one walk. Bibee will be opposed by Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the second game of the ALCS.
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Alex Cobb SP | CLE
Guardians' Alex Cobb: Will start Game 1 of ALCS
Cobb has been named the starter for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series versus the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Cobb was able to start only three games during the regular season, though he was effective with a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 16.1 innings. The right-hander started Game 3 of the ALDS versus Detroit and took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters over three frames. That was his first outing since Sept. 1, so Cobb may not be ready to handle a full workload -- he exited after 41 pitches in his ALDS start.
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Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
Yankees' Carlos Rodon: Starting Game 1 of ALCS
Rodon will get the start against Cleveland in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.
Rodon's most recent start was in Game 2 of the ALDS on Oct. 7, when he took the loss against Kansas City. In that contest, the left-hander gave up four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out seven batters over 3.2 innings. Rodon posted a 3.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195:57 K:BB over 175 frames during the regular season and led New York with 16 victories. The Guardians haven't yet announced their starter for the first game of the ALCS.
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Tony Gonsolin SP | LAD
Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin: Likely to remain sidelined
Gonsolin (elbow) is likely to remain sidelined for the NLCS against the Mets, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Gonsolin ramped up to three innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City before the minor-league campaign ended, though he has yet to be active in the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts didn't rule him out formally, but Landon Knack looks likely to be the primary choice for long relief for the Dodgers in the NLCS.
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Gavin Stone SP | LAD
Dodgers' Gavin Stone: Likely out for 2025
Stone underwent right shoulder surgery Wednesday and is likely to miss the entire 2025 season, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Stone was initially sidelined with right shoulder inflammation in early September and was unable to return. He'll now likely be sidelined for all of 2025 after posting a promising 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 116:37 K:BB across 140.1 innings in 2024.
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Gerrit Cole SP | NYY
Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Penciled in for Game 2
Cole will start Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
The Yankees haven't announced a starter for Game 1 just yet, but Cole getting the nod to start Game 2 likely narrows the choices down to Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt for Monday. Cole was dominant in his most recent outing, allowing just one run over seven innings en route to a win over the Royals on Thursday.
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Jack Flaherty SP | LAD
Dodgers' Jack Flaherty: Set to start Game 1
Flaherty will start Sunday in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Flaherty was roughed up during his first outing of the postseason, surrendering four earned runs over 5.1 innings in a loss to San Diego, but he figures to have a good chance to bounce back Sunday after turning in a 3.17 ERA during the regular season.
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Sean Manaea RP | NYM
Mets' Sean Manaea: Starting Game 2 of NLCS
Manaea will start Game 2 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Manaea hasn't pitched since Tuesday, so it's hardly a surprise for him to start on what will be five days of rest. The 32-year-old southpaw has given up three earned runs through 12 innings during the postseason and will be following Kodai Senga in the rotation.
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Kodai Senga SP | NYM
Mets' Kodai Senga: Named NLCS Game 1 starter
Senga will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Senga managed to last only two innings during his start in Game 1 of the NLDS -- his first time pitching since suffering a left calf strain in late July. There's a good chance he makes another abbreviated start Sunday, opening up an opportunity for David Peterson to possibly work as a bulk reliever.