Joe Espada to manage Astros through rest of season

Even with their backs against the wall, Roberts maintained confidence when asked if his star hurlers would be available out of the bullpen on Thursday, saying, “No. ... Our bullpen is rested, very, very capable. You’ve still got to win four, but obviously you’ve got to win one first, and I completely understand that. But the short answer, no.” It’s possible that the calculus could change if the Dodgers get down early in Game 4, but for now he appears to have full faith in Tyler Glasnow and his rested bullpen.

The first-year pitching coach struggled at the helm of the Rockies’ staff in 2026 as they struggled to a 5.59 ERA and 1.52 WHIP that each ranked dead last in all of baseball. It’s possible that Leichman did the best that he could with what he had to work with, but the Rockies will go with a new direction for their pitching staff in 2027. It’ll be interesting to see how wide of a net they cast in their search for a replacement, as most experienced options may shy away from such a difficult opportunity.

Yelich took a seat against left-hander Blake Snell in Game 3 on Wednesday but he’s right back in there as the Brewers’ designated hitter as they look to complete their four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Champions. Here’s the full lineup that the Brewers will deploy against Dodgers’ right-hander Tyler Glasnow on Thursday: Jackson Chourio (LF), Brice Turang (2B), William Contreras (C), Jake Bauers (1B), Yelich (DH), Garrett Mitchell (CF), Cooper Pratt (SS), Sal Frelick (RF) and David Hamilton (3B).

The slumping slugger battled cleanup in each of the first two games of the series and was dropped down to sixth against a southpaw in Game 3 on Wednesday. Perhaps the move back to the top of the lineup will provide the offensive jolt that the Dodgers need to stave off elimination and keep their dreams of a three-peat alive. Here’s the full lineup that they will trot out against Brewers’ southpaw Shane Drohan on Thursday: Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B), Will Smith (C), Kyle Tucker (RF), Teoscar Hernandez (LF), Miguel Rojas (2B), Andy Pages (CF) and Enrique Hernandez (3B).

Smith entered the game in the eighth inning with the tying runner on third and two outs. He wound up winning a 10-pitch battle with Yandy Díaz on a strikeout. He would then go on to retire the side in order in the ninth inning. The right-hander has appeared in seven of the team’s eight games this postseason and has picked up two saves while allowing one run on two hits in nine innings. He will almost certainly be ready in Game 4 if the team needs him.

Halpin came to bat with the Guardians down 2-1 in the fifth inning and a runner on first. In a 2-2 count, he took a sinker right down the middle and hit it 385 feet to right-center field to put the Guardians on top 3-2. No other runs would cross the plate. Despite being more of a defensive player, Halpin is 4-for-12 this postseason with two RBI and two runs scored.

Simpson drove in the only runs of the day for the Rays with a two-run triple off Gavin Williams in the fourth inning. The Rays only had three hits on the day, but all three of them went for extra bases. Simpson is just 3-for-15 so far this postseason with two runs scored.

It was a tough day for Caminero, who was struck out by Gavin Williams, Daniel Espino, and Cade Smith. The Rays’ third baseman has enjoyed a solid postseason but is just 2-for-11 in the first three games of this series with a 7/1 K/BB ratio. He’ll need to adjust to how the Guardians are pitching him if the Rays have any hope of advancing to the World Series.

Jax struck out two and walked two on the day, but one of those walks came back to hurt him in the second inning when he walked Jo Adell, who then came around to score on a Nathaniel Lowe double. Jax then settled down until the fifth inning, when Patrick Bailey reached on an infield single and then Petey Halpin crushed a go-ahead two-run home run. Jax would then allow a single ot Brayan Rocchio before his day was done. There is a chance that he could be used out of the bullpen in Game 6 or 7 if the series gets that far.

Williams was cruising early in this one, keeping the Rays off the scoreboard for the first three innings and striking out five of the first nine batters he faced. He allowed a leadoff double in the fourth but then struck out the next two batters and seemed close to getting out of the jam before a walk and a Chandler Simpson triple plated two runs. Williams would rebound to retire the side in order in the fifth but was then removed from the game at just 70 pitches. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made it clear that Williams was healthy but had just started two games and made one relief appearance in a six-game stretch, so they wanted to save his arm in case they need him later in the series. Williams has now allowed four runs on eight hits in 16 2/3 innings this postseason while striking out 33 and walking six. He could likely start Game 7 if the series gets that far.