AL West

The Houston Astros remain an unstoppable force in the American League.

After their 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics, combined with the Baltimore Orioles' 6-3 loss on Friday, the Astros have clinched a playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year and seventh time in the past eight seasons.

For the sixth straight year, we're headed to the Postseason!#LevelUp pic.twitter.com/x8mujehrZL

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 17, 2022

"You've got to keep in perspective ... how hard it is to get to the playoffs and to stay on top like this for a while," ace Justin Verlander told reporters. "It's not easy. So I'm glad we were able to take a moment."

Yordan Alvarez led the charge Friday, mashing three home runs as part of a four-hit game.

"Hitting one home run feels great, imagine hitting three," Alvarez said. "Just a very special night."

YORDAN ALVAREZ MASHED HIS THIRD DINGER 😤

(via @astros)pic.twitter.com/QvlI4AX9X4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 17, 2022

The Astros have undergone significant roster changes in recent years. Key players have moved to different clubs, including Carlos Correa (Minnesota Twins), George Springer (Toronto Blue Jays) and Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees).

While those losses are significant, Houston's front office has also done a good job of signing several players to long-term contracts. Alex Bregman still has two years and $57 million remaining on the five-year deal he signed in March 2019.

Jose Altuve signed a five-year contract in 2018. Alvarez's six-year, $115 million extension signed in June looks like a massive bargain right now after he made his first All-Star team this season.

With the exception of Yankees star Aaron Judge, Alvarez has been arguably the best offensive player in Major League Baseball this year. The Cuban star ranks second in the AL in on-base percentage (.408), slugging percentage (.624) and homers (36).

Kyle Tucker followed up his breakout 2021 season with an All-Star appearance this year. The 25-year-old has posted a 20-20 campaign with 27 homers and 22 stolen bases.

The strength of Houston's roster this season is the pitching staff. The group leads MLB with 23.4 FanGraphs wins above replacement, ranks second in ERA (2.91) and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (9.35).

Verlander, who only pitched one game in the previous two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, has returned in peak form at the age of 39. The right-hander is arguably the American League Cy Young favorite with a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 157 innings.

By surpassing the 130-inning mark, Verlander could decide to become a free agent this offseason. He signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension in December, but the second-year player option was contingent on him pitching at least 130 innings in 2022.

The Astros have great depth in their rotation behind Verlander. Framber Valdez is a ground-ball machine who is only allowing 7.0 hits per nine innings. Cristian Javier leads the team's starters with 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

If the pitching staff isn't dangerous enough on its own, the Astros also have the third-best defense in MLB by FanGraphs defensive value (29.9) and second in outs above average (24).

General manager James Click and the front office have done a remarkable job of evaluating talent. The players they bring in, either on their own via the draft or through trades, always seem to play at a high level.

All of the pieces have come together in spectacular fashion this season. They have already accomplished the first big goal of making the playoffs and will have an opportunity to compete for the World Series in October.

Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout is on the verge of history.

Trout launched a home run for the seventh straight game on Monday, going yard in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians:

SEVEN STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A HOME RUN. 😱 @BRWalkoff

Mike Trout is UNREAL.

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/c5FQr93PPG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2022

Trout is now one game away from tying the all-time MLB record for most consecutive games with a home run:

Mike Trout is one game away from tying the MLB record 👀🔥

h/t @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/clLlx6NK99

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 13, 2022

Monday's home run was the 35th of the season for Trout. The three-time AL MVP entered the game slashing .280/.369/.629 as one of the lone bright spots for the Angels this year. Los Angeles entered the day with a 61-79 record and is set to miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.

Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani exited Saturday's game against the Houston Astros with an apparent blister on his hand.

Ohtani went through his normal warmup process and tossed a few pitches heading into the sixth inning before coming out of the game. He was replaced by Jimmy Herget.

The 28-year-old allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven batters in five innings.

Shohei Ohtani comes out of the game as a pitcher with an apparent hand blister. pic.twitter.com/Bj0dp99cE2

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 11, 2022

Losing the Japanese star for any period of time is concerning for the Angels, especially because of his ability to be effective both on the mound and at the plate.

However, L.A. is third in the AL West with a 60-78 record and has no chance to make the postseason, according to FanGraphs. So, it's best for the club to give Ohtani some rest when needed.

Entering Saturday's game, Ohtani was slashing .267/.356/.535 with 33 home runs, 86 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 133 games. He was also 11-8 on the mound with a 2.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 181 strikeouts in 136 innings across 23 starts.

When sidelined, the Angels can turn to Mike Trout, Jared Walsh and Jo Adell to lead the offense. On the mound, they can look to Reid Detmers and Tucker Davidson, though they'll also likely call someone up from Triple-A.

Two teenage prospects sued the Los Angeles Angels in the Dominican Republic over allegations the team "reneged on verbal agreements to sign them," according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Keiderson Pavon is claiming he agreed to a $1.8 million contract with the Angels when he was 14, per Passan. Willy Fanas, meanwhile, said L.A. agreed to a $425,000 contract when he was 15.

Passan also shared a video that purportedly shows Pavon with an Angels scout who says the young player is "signed," which is met with a celebration in the dugout.

However, the Angels hired Perry Minasian as their new general manager to replace Billy Eppler in November 2020. With a new front office in place, the organizational approach toward Pavon and Fanas changed. They claim the team said it wouldn't be tendering their contracts.

Neither the Angels nor MLB commented on Passan's story.

Passan also laid out how the lawsuit could have a ripple effect across the league:

"The potential consequences of the civil actions, which were filed in May 2021 and have not previously been reported, are enormous beyond the millions of dollars in damages Fañas and Pavon are seeking. Hundreds of early deals are agreed to by teams and players each year but the practice would be far less prevalent if a judge deems them legally binding, four high-ranking team executives told ESPN."

MLB and the MLB Players Association agreed in March to begin working toward a formal international draft to replace the current system for signing prospects from abroad. The proposal ultimately fell through in July.

Supporters of the international draft pointed to the widespread corruption surrounding top amateur prospects outside of the United States.

Even if the lawsuit's outcome doesn't carry clear implications for MLB, Passan's report will likely increase the calls for a draft or another plan to create a formal framework that paves the way for young international players.

The Los Angeles Angels are in for a shakeup soon after owner Arte Moreno announced last week that he will explore selling the team.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the team is drawing interest from multiple potential suitors, including a group that isn't far away.

"A Golden State Warriors group—plus groups from Hollywood, Orange County and Japan (Shohei Ohtani connection!)—are showing interest in the Angels," Heyman wrote.

Heyman added that the sale of the Angels is "expected to fetch $2 billion-plus" even though the market is somewhat crowded with the Washington Nationals also up for sale.

After Moreno's announcement that he'd pursue selling the franchise, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times named Warriors governor Joe Lacob as an "intriguing candidate" to purchase the team. This isn't Lacob's first time being linked to pursuing an MLB franchise, as Shaikin noted he "has looked into buying the Angels, [Los Angeles] Dodgers and Oakland Athletics at various times during the past two decades."

Shaikin asked Lacob directly if he intends to go after the Angels and he responded in an email, "Can’t answer this question that fast. We look at good opportunities."

Lacob purchased the Warriors in 2010. Under his leadership, the team developed into a successful franchise. Golden State won its fourth NBA championship in eight years this past season.

The 66-year-old has a personal connection to the Angels franchise, telling the San Francisco Chronicle in July, "I became an Angels fan and worked at Anaheim Stadium for seven years as a peanut vendor."

Shaikin noted that Lacob faces some competition from Los Angeles Rams governor Stan Kroenke. He apparently won't have to compete with another NBA executive, as Shaikin reported that Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers and Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks are both uninterested in pursuing the Angels.

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander was forced to leave Sunday's start against the Baltimore Orioles with right calf discomfort, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Verlander left the game after three innings and 60 pitches and was replaced by reliever Seth Martinez to open the fourth inning. He had given up three hits and a walk in his brief outing.

The two-time Cy Young winner missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He signed a one-year contract with the Astros with an option for 2023.

Coming into Sunday, Verlander was having an excellent 2022 campaign, going 16-3 record with a 1.87 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 148 strikeouts. That has played a major part in Houston's AL-leading 81-47 record.

The Astros will be hoping Verlander's injury is nothing more than the aforementioned discomfort. Losing him down the stretch of the season, as the Astros jockey for the top seed in the American League playoffs, would be a huge blow.

Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno is exploring a sale of the team after 20 years of ownership, and Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew was "happy" to hear the news because he hopes his relationship with the franchise "can be restored" under new leadership.

Well this is happy news. I have renewed hope that my relationship with the @Angels organization can be fully restored https://t.co/9m5f5WCe6m

— Rod Carew (@RodCarew_29) August 23, 2022

This isn't the first time Carew has talked about his dicey relationship with Angels ownership.

In January, Carew posted a throwback photo of himself in a Twins uniform, writing on Twitter that he was "all smiles" thinking about the 12 years he spent with the club from 1967-78.

All smiles thinking about my time with the @Twins. Boy does this photo bring back memories! #FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/TnRwWgIHPL

— Rod Carew (@RodCarew_29) January 21, 2022

The 76-year-old was then asked about how he views his allegiance to the Angels, whom he played for from 1979-85, in comparison to his time with the Twins. He said that L.A.'s current leadership group does not want him involved with the club.

I love Angels fans as much as Twins fans. I ‘grew up’ in Minnesota, but my home is in California to this day. I have friends at both organizations who I cherish. The only difference is the Angels’ leadership does not want me to be involved with their club and the Twins do https://t.co/qc6gQIyvRn

— Rod Carew (@RodCarew_29) January 22, 2022

Carew was one of the best players in the 1970s, earning the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, the AL MVP in 1977, seven batting titles and 18 All-Star selections over his 19-year major league career.

The Panama native finished his career hitting .328/.393/.429 with 92 home runs, 1,015 RBI and 353 stolen bases in 2,469 games.

In 834 career games with the Angels, Carew hit .314/.393/.392 with 18 home runs, 282 RBI and 82 stolen bases. Six of the infielder's All-Star selections came while he was a member of the Halos.

It's unclear why the Angels wouldn't want Carew involved with the club, and considering they haven't made the postseason since 2014, it might be time to give him some sort of role.

It's been a disappointing season for the Halos, who fired manager Joe Maddon in June and replaced him with Phil Nevin in the interim. The club is fourth in the AL West with a 52-70 record and is on pace to miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.

Houston Astros veteran Yordan Alvarez was transported to the hospital for further evaluation after exiting Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves with an illness, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

A Truist Park EMT and Braves head trainer George Poulis entered the Astros clubhouse shortly after Alvarez exited the game in the fifth inning, according to Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game.

Mauricio Dubon replaced Alvarez but suffered an injury of his own while trying to catch a fly ball along the center field fence. Jake Meyers entered to replace Dubon.

Alvarez is amid another solid season for the Astros. He entered Friday's game hitting .297/.401/.616 with 31 home runs and 77 RBI in 102 games.

The 25-year-old made his major league debut with the Astros in 2019 and slashed .313/.412/.655 with 27 home runs and 78 RBI in 87 games. He went on to be named Rookie of the Year.

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Alvarez appeared in just two games before undergoing surgery after suffering a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee. He returned in 2021 and appeared in 144 games, hitting .277/.346/.531 with 33 home runs and 104 RBI.

The Cuban was also a significant part of Houston's run to the World Series last year, hitting .441/.535./794 with two home runs and nine RBI in series against the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

However, his production dipped in the World Series against the Braves as he went 2-for-20 in six games.

Houston signed Alvarez to a six-year, $115 million contract extension in June, locking him up through the 2028 campaign. Considering he has been a significant part of the team's success and will be for years to come, extending his contract was a no-brainer for general manager James Click.

The Astros entered Friday's game against Atlanta with the best record in the American League at 77-43. If Alvarez is sidelined for an extended period of time, Trey Mancini could see more time as the team's designated hitter.

Mike Trout is back for the Los Angeles Angels ahead of Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Angels officially activated their All-Star outfielder from the injured list after he missed 30 games with a back injury.

👀 pic.twitter.com/B2QwVhOenb

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 19, 2022

The move was expected after Trout told reporters prior to Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners he was on track to play this weekend.

"Everything feels great," Trout said. "I had a recovery day yesterday and I'm doing some stuff today, and hopefully I'll be in there on Friday. I'm full-go."

Trout took batting practice on the field last week when the Angels were hosting the Minnesota Twins. He faced live pitching on Monday and had a workout on Wednesday.

The Angels waited until July 18 to place Trout on the injured list with rib cage inflammation. He hadn't appeared in a game since July 12 with what the club originally said was back spasms.

There was concern about Trout's long-term future after the team's head athletic trainer, Mike Forstad, told reporters on July 27 the three-time American League MVP had a "pretty rare condition" in his spine that could affect him for the rest of his career.

Trout downplayed the situation when he caught wind of Forstad's comments.

"I got back and my phone was blowing up: 'My career is over,'" he said. "It's just rare for a baseball player. I just have to stay on top of it."

There was no indication from his performance prior to going on the injured list that anything might be wrong. Trout has a .270/.368/.599 slash line with 24 homers and 51 RBI in 282 at-bats this season.

The Angels are in the midst of another disappointing year despite having arguably the two most dominant players of this era in Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Their 51-67 record is the fourth-worst mark in the AL, 12.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays for the final wild-card spot.

Houston Astros shortstop Jose Altuve confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that he will play for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Altuve last represented his native country in the World Baseball Classic in 2017, with the team finishing in eighth place.

Altuve has been a steady bat in Houston's lineup this season. The 32-year-old is slashing .280/.369/.507 with 20 home runs and 42 RBI through 101 games. He leads the Astros with 106 hits, earning his eighth career All-Star selection this year.

A 12-year veteran, Altuve helped lead Houston to a World Series championship and three pennants over a five-year stretch. The three-time American League batting champion has been the face of the Astros franchise since he was called up to the majors in 2011.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Astros first base coach Omar Lopez has been announced as the manager for Team Venezuela. The 2023 WBC is set to begin pool play on March 8, and Venezuela's pool reportedly includes teams from Puerto Rico, Israel and the Dominican Republic.

Rome noted that Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia, who is Venezuelan, is also a possibility to play under Lopez in the WBC.

The 2023 WBC was originally supposed to take place in 2021 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The field for the tournament was expanded to 20 teams, with the 16 teams that participated in the 2017 WBC earning automatic qualifiers plus four additional teams.