LEADING OFF: Rays hope for Meadows return in ALDS opener

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

MENDING MEADOWS

The Tampa Bay Rays may get All-Star outfielder Austin Meadows back in the lineup as they open a best-of-five series with the rival New York Yankees. Meadows has been out since Sept. 18 with a left oblique strain. Manager Kevin Cash said the 25-year-old is “in a pretty good spot” but wouldn’t say whether Meadows would be on the team’s ALDS roster.

“We want to make sure that he’s running good and that the timing is as good as possible for us to make a decision,” Cash said.

Meadows’ left-handed bat would be a welcome addition as Tampa Bay prepares to face right-handed ace Gerrit Cole in the opener. Cole allowed nine earned runs in 16 1/3 innings over three starts against the Rays this season, with Meadows out of the lineup for two of them.

Blake Snell will get the ball in Game 1 for the Rays. He’s 4-6 with a 4.31 ERA in 18 career starts against New York, struggling especially at Yankee Stadium.

ENEMY TERRITORY

The Astros are back at Dodger Stadium — site of their 2017 World Series clincher, since tainted by a sign-stealing scandal — but this time, they're facing the rival A's in an AL Division Series. When Houston played in Los Angeles earlier this season, bitter Dodgers fans heckled the team's busses as they pulled into the stadium, and they figure to return this week, even as LA plays an NL Division Series in Texas.

“All the Dodgers fans that probably still hold that grudge are going to be out here voicing their opinion,” Astros outfielder Josh Reddick said. “It’s all about silencing the haters, that’s what all this year was about. The trash talk seems to be a little bit more running, and I love it.”

Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will start Game 1 for the Astros...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Rays-hope-for-Meadows-return-in-ALDS-15621074.php