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The high-stakes series is sure to deliver from the start, with the defending champs pitting Justin Verlander against Chris Sale in Game 1.

Two years ago, the Brewers and Dodgers almost swapped Ryan Braun for Yasiel Puig, but the nontrade has worked out well for everyone.

As ugly as the Dodgers' opening-game loss was in the NLCS, there were plenty of reasons to think things should be looking up.

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, coming off one of the best regular seasons of his 14-year career, said he has "no set number" of seasons left to go. "Just keep pitching," he said.

The Red Sox will try to seize an initial lead over the Astros in the AL's clash of titans, while L.A. tries to tie things up in Milwaukee.

A reliever stepping in against Clayton Kershaw? It sounds like a mismatch. But Milwaukee's slugging pitcher took L.A.'s ace deep, and things got even wilder from there.

Milwaukee's out-getters both thrived and survived in an NLCS-opening win. But can the Brew Crew possibly walk the same fine line three more times to put away the Dodgers?

The Brewers ran their winning streak to 12 games with Friday night's 6-5 victory over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS. That means Wisconsin restaurant chain George Webb will reward fans with free hamburgers next week.

Clayton Kershaw elevated a 2-2 fastball to lead off the third inning and Brandon Woodruff didn't miss it, belting a towering shot at Miller Park to tie Friday night's NLCS opener at 1.

Clayton Kershaw did not record an out in the fourth inning as Milwaukee ended the Dodgers ace's night early.

The Rangers, who are looking to replace fired manager Jeff Banister, have interviewed Joe Girardi for the opening, according to multiple reports.

Bob Uecker will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of the NL Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

With the benefit of hindsight, New York Yankees first-year manager Aaron Boone admitted Friday that he left starting pitcher Luis Severino in Monday's Game 3 of the American League Division Series too long.

The Astros have added relievers Hector Rondon and Joe Smith to their roster for the ALCS, while Myles Straw and Will Harris will not be active against the Red Sox.

With 108 wins, the Red Sox clearly have something going, but the Astros' starting pitching, bullpen and lineup will be very tough to beat.

Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius injured his elbow during the ALDS and will have Tommy John surgery. Manager Aaron Boone said he is optimistic Gregorius will be back at some point in the 2019 season.

The Dodgers made a surprising decision with their National League Championship Series roster, adding 22-year-old phenom Julio Urias as part of their bullpen mix.

The Brewers haven't lost a game in three weeks. The Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series to change that.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw hasn't had much luck against the Brewers' Christian Yelich. How can he cool down baseball's hottest hitter?

By using analytics to help make their players better, as they did with Gerrit Cole, the defending World Series champs are better than ever.