MLB plans for fans at NLCS, World Series
Major League Baseball plans to have fans in the stands when the National League Championship Series and World Series are played in Arlington, Texas, commissioner Rob Manfred told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The plan to have fans at Globe Life Field is pending approval of Texas officials.
Under current Texas ordinances, stadiums can be filled to 50 percent capacity, though the report did indicate a target attendance figure. Globe Life Field, the new home of the Rangers, seats about 40,300, but MLB has not permitted fans there this season despite the local law.
Arlington and San Diego will host the respective league championship series before both leagues converge in Texas for the World Series. California rules amid the pandemic do not allow for mass gatherings.
BRAVES11,MIAMI1>> Bryse Wilson pitched five scoreless innings, Marcell Ozuna drove in five runs with four hits that included two homers, and Atlanta clinched its third straight NL East title. Atlanta hit five homers, including drive by Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman off Nick Vincent in a five-run seventh. Freeman drove in two runs with three hits.
It was the seventh time the Braves hit four or more home runs in a game this season.
BREWERS3,REDS2>> Tyrone Taylor homered, Eric Sogard doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and Milwaukee rallied past Cincinnati that bolstered the Brewers’ sagging playoff hopes.
INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 3 >> Jose Ramirez belted a three-run homer in the 10th inning as the Cleveland clinched a postseason berth in dramatic fashion.
NATIONALS SWEEP PHILLIES >> Philadelphia tumbled out of a playoff position, getting swept in a doubleheader by Washington when Yadiel Hernández hit a game-ending, two-run homer in eighth inning for a 2-1 win in the second game.
Austin Voth (1-5) pitched a three-hitter to win the opener 5-1, his first complete game in 20 big league starts. Philadelphia (27-29) lost its fourth game in a row and dropped behind Cincinnati, Milwaukee and San Francisco for the National League’s eighth and final playoff berth.
PIRATES3,CUBS2>> Jacob Stallings’ home run in the ninth inning lifted Pittsburgh over visiting Chicago, which learned it clinched a playoff during the game when the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies to complete a doubleheader sweep.
ANGELS’ SIMMONS OPTS OUT OF FINAL WEEK >> Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons opted out of the final week of the season, the team announced. Simmons, 31, may have played his final game for the Angels. His contract expires after the season.