LEADING OFF: Brewers-Dodgers in possible playoff preview

OCTOBER OPENER

Clayton Kershaw starts at Dodger Stadium against Milwaukee to begin a season-ending, three-game series in a possible playoff preview.

Christian Yelich and the Brewers already have clinched the NL Central. Max Muncy and Los Angeles are assured at least a wild-card spot — they're trying to overtake San Francisco in the NL West.

Kershaw (10-8, 3.38 ERA) is 1-1 in three starts since missing more than two months with inflammation in his left forearm.

Lefty Eric Lauer (7-5, 2.93) starts for Milwaukee. He's 6-0 with a 1.89 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers.

BIG PAIN

The Yankees enter the final weekend of the regular season jostling for a playoff spot with two of their sluggers on the mend.

First baseman Luke Voit went on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a sore left knee. He limped back to the dugout after running to first base in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday, feeling discomfort in the same knee that was surgically repaired in March.

Meanwhile, outfielder Joey Gallo didn't start Thursday night’s game in Toronto after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm a day earlier. Tests showed no fracture.

New York opens a three-game series in the Bronx against the AL East-champion Rays fighting with Boston, Toronto and Seattle for two AL wild cards.

OHTANI NEARS 100

Shohei Ohtani has already hit 100 mph with his fastball. Now, he needs one more RBI to reach 100.

Ohtani got his 99th RBI with his AL-leading eighth triple Thursday in the Angels' 7-6 loss to Texas. The two-way sensation also doubled, and he flied out to the warning track in the ninth inning.

Ohtani has 45 home runs, has scored 101 times and is batting .259 going into a season-ending, three-game series at Seattle.

A leading candidate...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Brewers-Dodgers-in-possible-playoff-16500777.php