Ian Happ homers again, but Cubs blow lead

Yamamoto said through an interpreter that he’s willing to pitch on short rest, or in relief, if needed, this postseason. That doesn’t come as a surprise after witnessing his herculean effort during last year’s World Series title run. He’ll get the ball for a pivotal showdown at Truist Park in Atlanta with the best-of-five series tied after a pair of games in Los Angeles.

Ramírez hasn’t pitched in the majors since making two relief appearances from the Cardinals from 2020-2021. The 31-year-old journeyman hasn’t pitched in affiliated ball since the 2023 campaign. He posted a spectacular 1.76 ERA with a 63/9 K/BB ratio across 46 innings for Tijuana in the independent Mexican League this past season.

Boone seemingly left the door ajar for New York to pivot, adding that Carlos Rodón is in line to start a potential Game 4 matchup. All signs point to Fried toeing the rubber when the series heads back to New York later this week. The 32-year-old southpaw allowed one run over six innings against the Red Sox to close out the AL Wild Card Series last Wednesday. It’ll be Fried’s 16th career postseason start and 24th appearance overall since 2018.

Martinez will be making his first career postseason start in Yankee Stadium after making eight relief appearances since 2022. The 36-year-old veteran was a bit of an unexpected revelation in his Rays debut, posting a career-best 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109/26 K/BB ratio across 180 innings over 31 regular-season starts.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone is sticking with the same lineup that was shutout by Rays ace Drew Rasmussen, who carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, and closer Bryan Baker in a Game 1 defeat. It’ll be eight left-handed batters getting a look at Freddy Peralta as he makes his Tampa Bay postseason debut in this one. Here’s the full lineup: Ben Rice (DH), Cody Bellinger (LF), Luis García Jr. (1B), Spencer Jones (RF), George Lombard Jr. (SS), Chisholm (2B), Trent Grisham (CF), Austin Wells (C) and Ryan McMahon (3B).

Rays manager Kevin Cash isn’t making any changes following a series-opening victory where Jonathan Aranda’s solo homer was enough for a nearly-flawless Drew Rasmussen, who took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Caminero, who is likely to finish near the top of AL MVP Award balloting, finished a phenomenal regular season with 42 home runs, reaching the lofty 40-homer plateau for the second straight season. Here’s the full lineup: Yandy Díaz (DH), Jonathan Aranda (1B), Junior Caminero (3B), Liam Hicks (C), Chandler Simpson (LF), Victor Mesa Jr. (RF), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Richie Palacios (2B) and Taylor Walls (SS).

Randy Vásquez was removed from San Diego’s playoff roster in a corresponding move. Buehler was away from the club on paternity leave since the outset of the NLDS against the Brewers. He figures to pitch in relief for the remainder of the best-of-five series, which Milwaukee leads 2-0 at the moment.

In his press conference, Breslow mentioned that Crochet felt some initial discomfort in his shoulder back in April, but the Red Sox reviewed his medicals and decided it was best to take a long-term approach to his rehab. Specifically, Breslow said the team focused on strengthening Crochet’s shoulder, not simply getting him healthy enough to pitch in 2026, but hoping to withstand any further injury in future seasons. That also meant changes to his posture and mechanics to smooth over any residual issues that had built up from the shoulder discomfort. The team feels that he is fully healthy heading into the offseason, and there’s a chance his shoulder is now healthier than it was in 2025.

Benintendi will hit fifth and be the designated hitter, while Tristan Peters will bat sixth and play center field. Both of them were out for Game 1 against left-handed starter Parker Messick. While Benintendi never entered the game, Peters replaced Randal Grichuk when the Guardians went to the bullpen and went 1-for-2 with a single. Brenton Doyle and Tommy Pham will head to the bench for Game 2.

Antonacci was not in the lineup for Game 1 with the Guardians throwing left-hander Parker Messick, and he mentioned after the game that he was eating an ice cream cone when Munetaka Murakami hit his game-deciding home run. Antonacci will replace Randal Grichuk in the lineup on Monday, and Chase Meidroth, who hit leadoff in Game 1, will move down to eighth in the order.