CHICAGO - Mike Scioscia could sense the opener of the Los Angeles Angels series against the Chicago White Sox would be affected by the storm in the area Monday night.
[b]Jed Lowrie Jersey[/b] . "Im sure were gonna be dealing with some rain at some point," Scioscia said about two hours before the scheduled first pitch. "Whether it impacts the game, I dont know. "I dont know if you ever know in Chicago, do you?" The game was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 4:10 p.m. Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (8-2, 2.76) and Chicagos Hector Noesi (2-4, 4.18) — the scheduled starters Monday — will pitch Game 1, with Los Angeles Jered Weaver (8-6, 3.33) and Scott Carroll (2-4, 4.76) pitching the nightcap. The Angels had been undecided for the series finale on Wednesday, but named left-hander Tyler Skaggs (4-4, 4.34) to pitch that game following the postponement. Skaggs currently is on the disabled list since June 10 with a strained right hamstring. The White Sox will start left-hander John Danks (7-6, 4.26). With the addition of Skaggs, the Angels would have six starters, but Scioscia declined to say what move would be made from there. "Skaggs on Wednesday, and well let you know the rest," he said. "Well get through tomorrow and see where we are." The White Sox thought there would be a window to play Mondays game though the storm was expected to hit the ballpark around game time. It wasnt raining at 7:10, the time of the scheduled first pitch, but the rain began a few minutes later. The game surprisingly was called after just a 20-minute delay because the forecast changed and the rain was supposed to last longer. The extra time off was probably welcome for Albert Pujols, who is dealing with a groin injury, but was in the lineup Monday at first base. "He feels good," Scioscia said of Pujols. "Its not really anything thats muscular or anything were worried about being a pull. Its really just something . the way it was described our medical staff, its more of a lymph node or just a little infection that got a little irritated. "It shouldnt be anything thats gonna impact what he needs to do." Pujols was in Monday nights starting lineup set to hit third and play first base. NOTES: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu, tied for the MLB lead in homers with 25, has found himself at the centre of Home Run Derby speculation, but the rookie slugger remained mysterious on his possible participation. "Im more concentrated on helping the team right now," he said. ... RHP Fernando Salas (shoulder) threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Sunday and could be activated as early as Wednesday. "Hes gonna throw a bullpen (Tuesday) and then be evaluated," Scioscia said. "He felt really good after his pen on Sunday." ... Asked before the game whether RHP Jason Grilli, acquired from Pittsburgh on Friday, would be his new closer, Scioscia said: "Well keep Joe Smith there until we get everything sorted out. Jason will be part of our back end and well see."
[b]Rollie Fingers Jersey[/b] . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve.
[b]Bruce Maxwell Jersey[/b] . Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 11-8 Monday night.(SportsNetwork.com) - If the St. Louis Cardinals are going to advance to their second World Series in three seasons they are going to have to earn it. Tonight, the Cardinals will try to finish off the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium. That may be easier said than done, though, as the Cardinals will be going up against perhaps the best pitcher in baseball in left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is likely headed toward another NL Cy Young Award after a remarkable regular season that saw him go 16-9 and lead the major leagues with a minuscule 1.83 ERA and an NL-best 232 strikeouts. The Cardinals, though, have given him fits, as he lost twice to them in the regular season and, despite a terrific effort, was defeated by them on Saturday in Game 2 of this series. Kershaw gave up an unearned run and two hits over six innings of that one to fall to 1-1 with a 0.47 ERA in three starts this postseason. "All we have to do is score for him," said Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. St. Louis, meanwhile, will be trying to secure an amazing 19th NL pennant behind rookie Michael Wacha, who has been spectacular this postseason, winning both of his starts, while pitching to a 0.64 ERA. Wacha was able to outduel Kershaw in Game 2 by scattering five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Counting his last start of the regular season, when he came within an out of a no-hitter, he is 3-0 with an 0.42 ERA. "I just expect Michael to go out and do what hes done, just like the rest of our guys," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Stick with what youve done all along the way, and dont ignnore and dont deny the excitement.
[b]Reggie Jackson Jersey[/b]. " Los Angeles staved off elimination on Wednesday, as Gonzalez hit two of the Dodgers four home runs in a 6-4 win at Dodger Stadium. Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis also delivered solo blasts for the NL West champs, who hadnt homered at all in dropping three of the first four matchups to St. Louis. "I think if you look at it now, weve kind of become Americas team because everyone wants to see a seventh game," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Probably even fans in St. Louis want to see a seventh game, so I figure that everyones for us to win on Friday night." Zack Greinke (1-0) worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the first, then limited the Cardinals to two runs on six hits over seven innings. He also helped his cause with an RBI single. "When Zack got out of that inning with no runs, it was just a huge momentum swing in the game," Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis said. "Sometimes a game is won or lost in that first inning. I think that first inning had a huge impact on todays game." Matt Holliday went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Matt Adams and Matt Carpenter each collected two hits in the loss for the Cardinals, who, of course, have lost an NLCS both times they have held a 3-1 lead, including last year to the San Francisco Giants. Unlike last year though, the Cards will play the final two games in St. Louis, where they are 25-6 since Aug. 11. "Were not going to San Francisco, were going home, so I think thats a big plus," Cards third baseman David Freese said. If necessary, Game 7 will be played on Saturday at Busch Stadium. ' ' '
CHICAGO - Mike Scioscia could sense the opener of the Los Angeles Angels series against the Chicago White Sox would be affected by the storm in the area Monday night. [b]Jed Lowrie Jersey[/b] . "Im sure were gonna be dealing with some rain at some point," Scioscia said about two hours before the scheduled first pitch. "Whether it impacts the game, I dont know. "I dont know if you ever know in Chicago, do you?" The game was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader on Tuesday starting at 4:10 p.m. Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (8-2, 2.76) and Chicagos Hector Noesi (2-4, 4.18) — the scheduled starters Monday — will pitch Game 1, with Los Angeles Jered Weaver (8-6, 3.33) and Scott Carroll (2-4, 4.76) pitching the nightcap. The Angels had been undecided for the series finale on Wednesday, but named left-hander Tyler Skaggs (4-4, 4.34) to pitch that game following the postponement. Skaggs currently is on the disabled list since June 10 with a strained right hamstring. The White Sox will start left-hander John Danks (7-6, 4.26). With the addition of Skaggs, the Angels would have six starters, but Scioscia declined to say what move would be made from there. "Skaggs on Wednesday, and well let you know the rest," he said. "Well get through tomorrow and see where we are." The White Sox thought there would be a window to play Mondays game though the storm was expected to hit the ballpark around game time. It wasnt raining at 7:10, the time of the scheduled first pitch, but the rain began a few minutes later. The game surprisingly was called after just a 20-minute delay because the forecast changed and the rain was supposed to last longer. The extra time off was probably welcome for Albert Pujols, who is dealing with a groin injury, but was in the lineup Monday at first base. "He feels good," Scioscia said of Pujols. "Its not really anything thats muscular or anything were worried about being a pull. Its really just something . the way it was described our medical staff, its more of a lymph node or just a little infection that got a little irritated. "It shouldnt be anything thats gonna impact what he needs to do." Pujols was in Monday nights starting lineup set to hit third and play first base. NOTES: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu, tied for the MLB lead in homers with 25, has found himself at the centre of Home Run Derby speculation, but the rookie slugger remained mysterious on his possible participation. "Im more concentrated on helping the team right now," he said. ... RHP Fernando Salas (shoulder) threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Sunday and could be activated as early as Wednesday. "Hes gonna throw a bullpen (Tuesday) and then be evaluated," Scioscia said. "He felt really good after his pen on Sunday." ... Asked before the game whether RHP Jason Grilli, acquired from Pittsburgh on Friday, would be his new closer, Scioscia said: "Well keep Joe Smith there until we get everything sorted out. Jason will be part of our back end and well see." [b]Rollie Fingers Jersey[/b] . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. [b]Bruce Maxwell Jersey[/b] . Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 11-8 Monday night.(SportsNetwork.com) - If the St. Louis Cardinals are going to advance to their second World Series in three seasons they are going to have to earn it. Tonight, the Cardinals will try to finish off the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium. That may be easier said than done, though, as the Cardinals will be going up against perhaps the best pitcher in baseball in left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is likely headed toward another NL Cy Young Award after a remarkable regular season that saw him go 16-9 and lead the major leagues with a minuscule 1.83 ERA and an NL-best 232 strikeouts. The Cardinals, though, have given him fits, as he lost twice to them in the regular season and, despite a terrific effort, was defeated by them on Saturday in Game 2 of this series. Kershaw gave up an unearned run and two hits over six innings of that one to fall to 1-1 with a 0.47 ERA in three starts this postseason. "All we have to do is score for him," said Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. St. Louis, meanwhile, will be trying to secure an amazing 19th NL pennant behind rookie Michael Wacha, who has been spectacular this postseason, winning both of his starts, while pitching to a 0.64 ERA. Wacha was able to outduel Kershaw in Game 2 by scattering five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Counting his last start of the regular season, when he came within an out of a no-hitter, he is 3-0 with an 0.42 ERA. "I just expect Michael to go out and do what hes done, just like the rest of our guys," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Stick with what youve done all along the way, and dont ignnore and dont deny the excitement. [b]Reggie Jackson Jersey[/b]. " Los Angeles staved off elimination on Wednesday, as Gonzalez hit two of the Dodgers four home runs in a 6-4 win at Dodger Stadium. Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis also delivered solo blasts for the NL West champs, who hadnt homered at all in dropping three of the first four matchups to St. Louis. "I think if you look at it now, weve kind of become Americas team because everyone wants to see a seventh game," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Probably even fans in St. Louis want to see a seventh game, so I figure that everyones for us to win on Friday night." Zack Greinke (1-0) worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the first, then limited the Cardinals to two runs on six hits over seven innings. He also helped his cause with an RBI single. "When Zack got out of that inning with no runs, it was just a huge momentum swing in the game," Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis said. "Sometimes a game is won or lost in that first inning. I think that first inning had a huge impact on todays game." Matt Holliday went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Matt Adams and Matt Carpenter each collected two hits in the loss for the Cardinals, who, of course, have lost an NLCS both times they have held a 3-1 lead, including last year to the San Francisco Giants. Unlike last year though, the Cards will play the final two games in St. Louis, where they are 25-6 since Aug. 11. "Were not going to San Francisco, were going home, so I think thats a big plus," Cards third baseman David Freese said. If necessary, Game 7 will be played on Saturday at Busch Stadium. ' ' '