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Do³±czy³: 01 Cze 2018 Posty: 436
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Wys³any: 18-Mar-2019 04:37:49 Temat postu: Ask Houston manager AJ Hinch to name the best th |
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HOUSTON (AP) — ing about George Springer and he rattles off a laundry list of qualities he admires in the outfielder.When he finishes that list http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-jim-bunning-jersey , he adds a final thought.“I’m not sure there’s a perfect player,” Hinch said. “But he’s pretty close.”Last year’s World Series MVP hit three homers during a sweep of Cleveland in the AL Division Series, and the Astros look for him to keep delivering as they prepare for Boston’s powerful lineup in the AL Championship Series beginning Saturday.“There’s nothing not to like about Springer,” Hinch said. “His makeup’s good, his effort’s good, his competitiveness is off the charts Jim Thome Jersey , he’s happy when he comes to the ballpark every day, blends in well with all aspects of the clubhouse.”Springer’s three homers are tied with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the most this postseason and his six hits rank third in the playoffs. It’s a continuation of the work he did in helping the Astros to their first World Series title last season.In 2017, Springer hit six homers, five doubles and drove in nine runs in the postseason. Most of his damage came in the World Series when he hit five homers.The leadoff man came one shy of the MLB record when extended his streak of postseason games with a home run to five with a solo shot in a win over the Indians in the ALDS opener. He didn’t homer in Game 2, but made up for it by connecting twice in Game 3 to help the Astros complete the sweep.Springer tries not to get too wrapped up in statistics, but knows what people expect in October.“This is a result-oriented time of the year http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-scott-kingery-jersey ,” Springer said. “But for us it’s about doing anything that you can for the team. So just sticking with that mentality.”Springer’s teammates rave about what he does on the field and the attitude he brings to work every day.“Unbelievable teammate, unbelievable player,” third baseman Alex Bregman said. “Stepped up huge for us last year and then is stepping up huge for us now. Definitely fun to be on his team. He loves to compete and do anything to help the team win. We love George.”A two-time All-Star, Springer was the 11th overall pick out UConn in 2011. He made his debut in 2014 and since then has become one of Houston’s most consistent and dynamic players, part of a young core that helped the Astros morph from league laughingstocks to World Series champions in just a few short years.Springer hit a career-high 34 home runs last season and had 22 this year. It’s the type of power rarely seen in a leadoff hitter, but his pop combined with speed has been a great combination for the Astros.He believes the experience this team gained in capturing the franchise’s first title last year will help the Astros as the get deeper into this postseason. Springer also thinks Houston’s success last year has given the team a certain calmness this season no matter what challenge it encounters.Springer is rarely seen without a smile and you can often find him cracking jokes to his teammates or dancing around the clubhouse. Despite the importance of the situation Odubel Herrera Jersey , he believes it’s important to remember that even though the stage is much bigger, they’re simply playing the game they love.“This is obviously a game where the higher up you go the harder it gets so you want to try to make things simple,” he said. “You want to try to have as much fun as you possibly can and just enjoy it and try to keep yourself and other guys loose.” A look at what’s happening around the majors today:STARTING OFFClayton Kershaw starts for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against Brewers left-hander Gio Gonzalez and — more notably — Milwaukee’s deep bullpen. Josh Hader and the rest of the club’s lights-out relievers have helped the Brewers win 11 straight games. The bullpen’s 3.47 ERA was second in the NL only to the Chicago Cubs, and it began to peak down the stretch. The relievers went 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in the three-game Division Series sweep against Colorado. Gonzalez probably won’t need to go more than four or five innings before Hader and crew take over.Los Angeles‘ pitching approach will be more traditional. The Dodgers have gotten a higher percentage of outs from their starters this postseason than any other team, led by Kershaw’s eight innings of two-hit ball in a 3-0 Game 2 win over Atlanta. Kershaw has thrown 12 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason dating to last year’s World Series.The ALCS starts Saturday night when Justin Verlander and the World Series champion Houston Astros take on Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.SKIP HUNTINGThe Rangers have done their first interviews in the search to replace fired manager Jeff Banister. According to people familiar with the details, the Rangers on Thursday interviewed Chicago Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde in Arlington http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-jorge-alfaro-jersey , and did a phone interview with Astros bench coach Joe Espada because Houston is preparing for the start of the ALCS against Boston. The team is making no public comments about candidates being interviewed. Texas did its first interview Tuesday in Arlington with Jayce Tingler, the team’s assistant general manager.BAM BAM IN DEMAND?Giants bench coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens has interviewed with the Reds for their open managerial position and also is set to meet with the Twins this week for the job that opened when Paul Molitor was fired. Meulens was in Minneapolis on Thursday and scheduled to interview with the Twins through Friday after traveling from Cincinnati. He met with the Reds, who fired Bryan Price after a 3-15 start. A former hitting coach with the Giants when they won World Series titles in 2010, ’12 and ’14, Meulens became bench coach this past season and Bruce Bochy’s right-hand man in his ninth season with the club.WAINO REMAINSAdam Wainwright is staying with the Cardinals. St. Louis agreed to a one-year deal with the veteran right-hander Thursday, bringing him back to the only major league team he’s pitched for. The 37-year-old Wainwright has been with the club since making his big league debut in 2005. Wainwright made just eight starts this season because of hamstring and elbow problems Josh Bell Jersey , going 2-4 with a 4.46 ERA. _________________ panxing |
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