A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:
LAST CHAPTER
Locked in a tight race for the NL West title, the Rockies and Dodgers meet for the final time in the regular season. Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.88 ERA) pitches for Los Angeles against Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.82) at Dodger Stadium. Colorado could be without slugger Trevor Story again after the All-Star shortstop hurt his right elbow Monday night. Tests showed inflammation but no structural damage, and the Rockies hope Story can return to the lineup in a few days. Story this year became the first shortstop in major league history with at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 25 steals in a season.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner throws out Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado on a ground ball during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (AP PhotoAlex Gallardo)
END GAME
As they pursue a third consecutive NL Central crown, the ninth inning is getting more and more complicated for the Chicago Cubs. The team announced Tuesday that closer Brandon Morrow will be shut down for the rest of the year because of an injured right elbow that's been slow to heal. Morrow, who leads the Cubs with 22 saves, has been on the disabled list since July 19. Chicago is without its two relievers with the most saves — Pedro Strop has 13 and is out with a hamstring injury. The club hopes he's ready for the postseason. For now, the Cubs will go with a closer-by-committee.
NO CINCH TO CLINCH
New York Yankees' Neil Walker, left, celebrates with relief pitcher Zach Britton after a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox pm Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in New York. The Yankees won 3-2. (AP PhotoFrank Franklin II)
The Red Sox try again to wrap up the AL East, which they can do with a win at Yankee Stadium. Boston missed a chance to clinch Tuesday night when it lost 3-2 in the Bronx. Lefty David Price (15-6, 3.42 ERA) faces struggling New York ace Luis Severino (17-8, 3.46). Price is 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break, while Severino has a 6.35 ERA in 10 starts over that same span.
LOOK OUT!
The always playful Phillie Phanatic might be in revenge mode when Mets star Noah Syndergaard starts at Citizens Bank Park. Syndergaard swiped the Phanatic's four-wheeler before Tuesday night's game and drove around the outfield as the mascot chased him on foot. Syndergaard (12-3, 3.26 ERA), who has won three straight starts, faces Zach Eflin (10-7, 4.26).
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Ryan Brasier reacts after giving up a three-run home run to New York Yankees' Neil Walker during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, in New York. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
A look at what's happening around baseball Saturday:
CABRERA REIGNS
Miguel Cabrera should get to swing for his 3,000th career hit after his pursuit was delayed a day by a rainout.
The Tigers are set for a day-night doubleheader against Colorado at Comerica Park. The teams were washed out Friday.
Cabrera got to 2,999 hits on Wednesday night, then struck out in his final at-bat of the game. The 39-year-old went 0 for 3 with an intentional walk on Thursday.
Antonio Senzatela (0-1, 2.16 ERA) is ready to pitch the first game of the twinbill for Colorado. The Rockies right-hander and Cabrera are both from Venezuela.
“He’s going to go down as one of the best hitters of all time,” Hall of Famer and former Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell said Friday.
“He realizes that it’s getting toward the end, but he still has something left in the tank. When it’s all said and done this year, I think he’s going to have a heck of a year,” he said.
JAPANESE PERFECTION
The baseball world will be watching this weekend to see whether Roki Sasaki can do it again.
The 20-year-old Japanese pitcher with the 100 mph fastball and devastating splitter has thrown 17 straight perfect innings. He’ll start Sunday for the Chiba Lotte Marines against the Orix Buffaloes in Osaka.
Sasaki pitched a perfect game against Orix on April 10, the first in Japan in 28 years. He followed up with eight more perfect innings on April 17 before he was pulled by manager Tadahito Iguchi after 102 pitches. Sasaki struck out a combined 33 in those games.
Sasaki grew up in the northeastern Japanese prefecture of Iwate. His father was killed in the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and subsequent meltdown on three nuclear reactors that devastated that part of the country.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is appealing his second suspension this season after Major League Baseball banned him for one game Friday after he gave fans the middle finger two days earlier.
Anderson had three errors in the first two innings of Chicago’s 11-1 loss Wednesday in the opener of a doubleheader. The frustrated 28-year-old made the gesture toward a fan while out in the field. Anderson will remain with the White Sox until his appeal is heard.
Anderson also missed the firt two games of the season serving a two-game suspension for making contact with umpire Tim Timmons during the ninth inning of a game on Sept. 27. Anderson successfully appealed that suspension down from three games.
GIANT PAIN
San Francisco's injured list is getting crowded after right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and outfielder Steven Duggar hit the shelf Friday.
DeSclafani went on the 10-day IL with right ankle inflammation a day after allowing five runs in five innings during a loss to the Mets. Manager Gabe Kapler says DeSclafani will get an MRI on Monday.
Duggar was added to the 60-day IL with a left oblique strain. He was pulled from Thursday's loss in the second inning.
The pair joins starter Alex Cobb and hitters Evan Longoria, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Tommy La Stella on the IL.
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