LEADING OFF: Astros sure to hear from fans at Dodger Stadium

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday:

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NOW HEAR THIS

José Altuve, Carlos Correa and the Astros have been heckled at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland, Phoenix and many other parks, the result of their sign-stealing scheme. Now, they’re about to hear it from the fans who feel Houston cheated them out of the 2017 World Series championship.

For the first time since their swiping scandal was revealed, the Astros will play in front of a crowd at Dodger Stadium when they open a two-game set. Houston won Game 7 of that 2017 Series by beating the Dodgers in LA.

“Our fans have waited a long time to have these guys at our place,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts over the weekend. “And we’ll leave it at that.”

The Astros visited Dodger Stadium last year when crowds weren’t permitted because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ballpark is expected to be packed for these games.

Astros manager Dusty Baker can envision how the Dodgers crowd will greet his AL West leaders.

“Probably not good,” Baker said. “It wasn’t bad here, but I’m sure it’s going to be a lot more hostile when we get to LA.”

Walker Buehler (11-1, 2.19 ERA) starts for the Dodgers against Lance McCullers Jr. (8-2, 3.23). McCullers started that Game 7 against LA in 2017 and was pulled during the third inning in Houston’s 5-1 win.

BELEAGUERED BREWERS

The Brewers are headed for a weekend matchup of first-place teams without All-Star closer Josh Hader in yet another COVID-19 setback for the NL Central leaders.

Hader will miss this week’s series against Pittsburgh, and the left-hander will still be out for three more at home starting Friday against San Francisco.

Hader’s positive COVID-19 test will sideline him for at least 10 days. He joined Milwaukee star...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Astros-sure-to-hear-from-fans-at-16358960.php