Astros strike back to win Game 2 vs. Phillies, evening up World Series  —  HOUSTON - They were professional valleys for both players, even if Jose Altuve has 12 seasons and eight All-Star honors to his name, and Framber Valdez is still crafting his career narrative.

Dusty Baker set to return as Astros manager regardless of World Series fate  —  Whether Houston wins or loses the World Series, sources say Dusty Baker wants to return to the Astros.  So no riding off into the sunset following a potential first managerial World Series title.  The team also wants him back.

Ravens overcome injuries behind QB Lamar Jackson, running game to rally past Buccaneers, 27-22  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 38  —  TAMPA, Fla. — In a strange half-season of soaring starts, wild finishes and everything imaginable in between, Thursday night offered maybe the strangest ending yet …

White Sox rule out Espada as manager search continues (source)  —  CHICAGO — Who will be the next White Sox manager?  —  That question has yet to be answered, and the organization is keeping the candidates quiet during this ongoing process.  It will not be Houston bench coach Joe Espada …

An Astros-Phillies World Series leaves New York baseball fans in a no-win situation  —  Nobody will feel bad for New York baseball fans, ever.  —  Fans of the Yankees get to cheer for the most successful, most recognizable team in North American sports.  Mets fans (for most of the season …

Cardinals' Nolan Arenado opting into remainder of contract: Source  —  Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado has informed the organization he will be opting into the remainder of his five-year, $144 million contract, a league source told The Athletic on Saturday.

Heat stagger late, with Butler, Adebayo unable to hold off Warriors in 123-110 loss  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Appreciate this: With the Miami Heat playing on the second night of a back-to-back set against a team idle the previous night, Stephen Curry stood at midcourt with 5:31 to play repeatedly beating …

Red Sox, Rafael Devers remain far apart in extension negotiations  —  The Red Sox have reopened contract talks with star third baseman Rafael Devers, but the gap is said to remain large.  —  Word is the Red Sox have now raised their offer to $200 million-plus, probably necessary given …

After being fired in Boston, Phillies' Dave Dombrowski went and built another World Series team  —  HOUSTON - Dave Dombrowski, still emotionally scarred from his Boston experience, emphatically said, “No.”  —  And “No,” again.  —  Three times Dombrowski told then-Philadelphia Phillies …