Former Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros manager Jimy Williams dies at age 80
Read full article: Former Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros manager Jimy Williams dies at age 80Jimy Williams, the 1999 American League Manager of the Year for Boston who won 910 games over a dozen seasons that included stints with Toronto and Houston, has died.
3-time NL East champ Braves extend manager Snitker thru 2023
Read full article: 3-time NL East champ Braves extend manager Snitker thru 2023(Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP Pool)ATLANTA – It took a while for Brian Snitker to get his shot at being a big league manager. The Atlanta Braves announced Friday they have extended Snitker's contract through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024. AdWhen Fredi Gonzalez was fired early in the 2016 season, Snitker became one of the oldest first-time managers in big league history. But, after going 72-90 in his first full season, Atlanta won the first of its three straight division titles in 2018. Snitker was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2018.
Wright, d'Arnaud lead Braves to sweep Marlins, reach NLCS
Read full article: Wright, d'Arnaud lead Braves to sweep Marlins, reach NLCSAtlanta Braves players celebrate after defeating the Miami Marlins in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Houston. And even those future Hall of Famers didn't throw the way these Braves have this postseason. Wright (1-0) was sharp despite not pitching since Sept. 25, allowing three hits and walking two with a career-high seven strikeouts. Atlanta became the second team in history to throw four shutouts in the first five playoff games, joining the 1905 New York Giants behind Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity. D’Arnaud knocked a double off the bullpen in right-center to send two home and extend the lead to 3-0.
LEADING OFF: Homers fly in playoffs, Atlanta arms dominate
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Homers fly in playoffs, Atlanta arms dominateThat average of 2.93 homers per postseason game tops the regular-season mark of 2.57. The Athletics and Astros combined to connect seven times as the A’s avoided a sweep with a 9-7 win. Houston will make another attempt to advance to its fourth consecutive ALCS in Game 4 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Kyle Wright will make his postseason debut when he starts against Miami rookie Sixto Sanchez as Atlanta aims to sweep the best-of-five NL Division Series. ESPN’s wild-card game averaged 5,591,000 to 7,604,000 from 2014-17.
LEADING OFF: Homers fly in playoffs, Atlanta arms dominate
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Homers fly in playoffs, Atlanta arms dominateAtlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson hits a home run during the second inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Houston. That was before the Yankees-Rays and Padres-Dodgers started their Division Series matchups. That average of 2.88 homers per postseason game tops the regular-season mark of 2.57. Kyle Wright will make his postseason debut when he starts against Miami rookie Sixto Sanchez as Atlanta aims to sweep the best-of-five NL Division Series. ESPN’s wild-card game averaged 5,591,000 to 7,604,000 from 2014-17.
Anderson sharp, Markakis alert, Braves blank Miami, lead 2-0
Read full article: Anderson sharp, Markakis alert, Braves blank Miami, lead 2-0Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson delivers a pitch during the fourth inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Houston. Anderson blanked Miami into the sixth inning, Markakis made a nifty play in right field to help preserve the lead late, and the Braves threw another playoff shutout in a 2-0 victory Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the NL Division Series. “It’s hard to bunch hits together, pitching is too good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. Miami manager Don Mattingly didn't fault Dickerson for being thrown out because he said Markakis could've dived to catch it. On a day when Atlanta got only four hits, Swanson and d’Arnaud provided the offense.