LDN - Sports

MLB notebook: Brewers tab LHP Gonzalez for Game 1 of NLCS

[October 12, 2018] The Milwaukee Brewers have set their rotation for the first three games of their National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with left-hander Gio Gonzalez getting the nod for Game 1.

Gonzalez, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 30, will take the mound opposite Dodgers ace southpaw Clayton Kershaw in the series opener in Milwaukee on Friday.

Gonzalez, 33, will be followed by left-hander Wade Miley in Game 2 on Saturday and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin in Game 3 in Los Angeles on Monday. The Dodgers have yet to announce their starters beyond Kershaw.

Milwaukee's choice to start southpaws in Games 1 and 2 is likely the result of the Dodgers hitting .240 against lefties compared to .255 against righties this season. But Los Angeles addressed that issue with trades for right-handed bats in Manny Machado, Brian Dozier and David Freese and showed improvement against southpaws in the latter part of the season.

--Joe West has been selected as crew chief for the American League Championship Series, and Gerry Davis will lead the crew for the National League Championship Series, the commissioner's office announced.

Davis has umpired a record 144 postseason games entering the NLCS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers. That series begins Friday in Milwaukee. West ranks second in major league history by umpiring 5,194 regular-season games. Bill Klem holds the record of 5,375.

Angel Hernandez, who was sharply criticized for his work at first base and behind the plate during the AL Division Series between the Red Sox and New York Yankees, is not part of either crew, as umpires cannot work two consecutive rounds in the postseason. Hernandez would be eligible for the World Series

--The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed right-hander Adam Wainwright to a one-year contract for the 2019 season, the team announced.

[to top of second column]

Brewers pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) talks to the media after being named the starting pitcher for game one of the 2018 NLCS playoff baseball series at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, though it is heavy in incentives based on games started and game appearances, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wainwright earned $19.5 million in 2018, the final season of a five-year, $97.5 million contract.

Next season will mark Wainwright's 15th with the Cardinals, tying Bob Forsch for the third most in franchise history. Wainwright, 37, was 2-4 with a 4.46 ERA this season, spending the majority of the year on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

--Detroit right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and outfielder Christin Stewart each underwent core muscle surgery, the Tigers announced.

Both players had the procedures Thursday in Philadelphia, where Dr. William Meyers was the surgeon. Meyers said both players are expected to be ready for spring training.

Zimmermann went 7-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 25 starts in 2018. The 32-year-old is entering the fourth season of a five-year, $110 million contract. Stewart, 24, batted .267 with two homers in 60 late-season at-bats. He missed the final three games after suffering an abdominal injury.

--Field Level Media

Back to top