Page 21 - aruba-today-20200222

A21
SPORTS Saturday 22 February 2020
It's champs vs. cheaters as Nats and Astros meet Saturday

By KRISTIE RIEKEN now, it's just about feel and
AP Sports Writer seeing where they're at."
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Saturday's game will also
(AP) — It will be champs vs. pit Baker against the team
cheaters in a World Series that let him go after the
rematch when the Wash- 2017 season.
ington Nationals and Hous- He's looking forward to see-
ton Astros play their exhibi- ing many of the people he
tion opener on Saturday worked with when he man-
night. aged the Nationals from
The last time these teams 2016-17. And even though
met, the Nationals were it's the first game, he knows
celebrating their first World Scherzer will be ready to
Series title in Houston after go.
winning Game 7 at Minute "I'm sure he'll probably be
Maid Park. Since then, the the same old Scherz," Baker
Astros have become the said. "He could be pitching
league's villains, with a sign- at a high school game and
stealing scandal sullying he'll be fired up."
their reputation and cast- While people could come
ing a shadow on their 2017 out to heckle the Astros,
title. they likely won't be able to
As the Astros prepare to direct their ire at any play-
take the field for the first ers who were on the teams
time since their cheat- In this Oct. 30, 2019, file photo, Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel hits a home run off Washington Nation- that stole signs. Baker said
als starting pitcher Max Scherzer during the second inning of Game 7 of the baseball World Series
ing scam was uncovered in Houston. he doesn't plan to play any
there's much speculation Associated Press of Houston's regulars Satur-
about what kind of recep- day and wants to give the
tion they'll receive, though ers banged on a trash can Dusty Baker hasn't spent down the street showing off "kids" a chance to play in
the players say they're fo- to signal to batters what any time concerning him- their trophy. the opener.
cused on baseball. was coming, believing it self with how the Astros will "In 2019 we were the best," To that end, right-hander
"Honestly, I haven't thought would improve the batter's be received. manager Dave Martinez Cristian Javier, who was
about it," shortstop Carlos odds of getting a hit. "I try not to worry about told the crowd at the end Houston's minor league
Correa said. "But whatever One man banged on a things because it doesn't of the parade. "We were pitcher of the year last sea-
it is, our job is to go there trash can as Astros players do any good," he said. "You No. 1. We were the world son, will start for the Astros.
and play baseball. So, I'm took batting practice Mon- can anticipate this or that, champs and I want to Houston third baseman
not too concerned about day and someone yelled: but you don't really know thank all of you for sticking Alex Bregman, who has
that." "cheater" at second base- until you get there. So I'm behind us." taken criticism in recent
There have been a handful man Jose Altuve as he not really worried about Max Scherzer will start Sat- days for a poorly received
of hecklers at Astros camp walked by fans the same the reception." urday for the Nationals. He apology during a press
this week as the team as- day. While the Astros get pep- started and threw five in- conference about the sign-
sembled for the first time Correa, who was part of pered daily with questions nings in Washington's 6-2 stealing, said they can't
since Major League Base- the team that was found about their cheating and win in Game 7 that gave spend time worrying about
ball Commissioner Rob to have stolen signs, knows are constantly being asked the franchise its first title. how fans will react. But he
Manfred found they used things are going to be to comment on the nega- The 35-year-old said he's did say that it's a unique sit-
electronics to steal signs "tough" for the Astros on the tive reactions of players right where he needs to be uation to start spring train-
during their run to the 2017 road this season but doesn't around the league, their and is feeling good as he ing against the Nationals
World Series title and again expect things to be bad in spring training facility- prepares for his spring de- considering their recent his-
in the 2018 season. The in- a spring training game. mates are still basking in but. tory.
vestigation, which led to "But there's always going to the glow of their champi- "Max is going to go out "It's tough to play first
the suspensions and subse- be fans that are going to go onship. there and hopefully get against the team that
quent firings of manager AJ to the ball park and have On Thursday night, the them through the first in- we lost to in the World Se-
Hinch and general manag- fun in their own way, and Nationals continued cel- ning, see how he feels, and ries," he said. "But they de-
er Jeff Luhnow, found the that's talking trash," Correa ebrating their victory with if he can get out there for served it. They outplayed
Astros used the video feed said. "And that's fine. You a championship parade the second inning, that'd us. They have a great team
from a center field camera see that in every sport. So in downtown West Palm be great," Martinez said. over there and they really
to see and decode the op- that shouldn't bother us." Beach. Fans cheered as "We'll cross that bridge earned that World Series
posing catcher's signs. Play- New Houston manager players and staff rode when we get there. Right title."q
Bradley wins last arbitration case, teams have 7-5 margin

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona tors Andrew Strongin, Ste- decisions, and players won relatively small percentage ed Philadelphia catcher
reliever Archie Bradley won ven Wolf and Jules Bloch. four of the last five. Teams of players went to hearings J.T. Realmuto, Boston pitch-
the final salary arbitration The Diamondbacks had ar- have had a winning record among the 162 who were er Eduardo Rodríguez, Los
case of the year, leaving gued for $3,625,000. Brad- in four of the last six years; eligible after teams of- Angeles Dodgers outfielder
teams with a 7-5 advan- ley was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA the exceptions were a 12- fered contracts on Dec. 2. Joc Pederson, Minnesota
tage over players. in 65 relief appearances 10 margin for players in Just 20 players exchanged pitcher José Berríos, Mil-
Bradley, a 27-year right- and one start last year. He 2018 and a 6-4 advantage proposed salaries with their waukee closer Josh Had-
hander, was given a raise struck out 87 and walked last year, the first consecu- clubs on Jan. 10 and nearly er, Atlanta reliever Shane
from $1.83 million to $4.1 36 in 71 2/3 innings. Teams tive winning years for the half of them wound up with Greene and Colorado
million on Friday by arbitra- won six of the first seven players since 1989-90. A agreements. Clubs defeat- catcher Tony Wolters.q