Early homers raise a ruckus, send Phillies toward win in NLCS Game 1  —  PHILADELPHIA — There was quite an echo in Citizens Bank Park on Monday.  —  It began early, with two Phillies smacking home runs on the first five pitches they saw, thereby raising a ruckus in the crowd of 45,396.

Diamondbacks suffer first loss of postseason, dropping NLCS Game 1 to Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Diamondbacks made their way out of the visitors' dugout on Monday night with their heads down, showered and dressed quietly, then spoke to reporters in hushed tones.  It felt almost unfamiliar.

Bryce Harper has quite the birthday party in Phillies' historic playoff power show  —  PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm had just cracked open a can of Red Bull on Monday night, looked up from the bullpen, and on the first pitch of the bottom of the first there was a home run sailing over his head.

Diamondbacks-Phillies NLCS updates: Pitching matchup for Game 1 at Philadelphia  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the National League Championship Series for the third time in franchise history, playing the Philadelphia Phillies in the best-of-seven set for a trip to the World Series.

Who are the potential candidates to lead the Red Sox' baseball ops department?  —  Second of two parts.  Previously: What we know about the Red Sox' search for a baseball boss.  —  Here is a speculative list, based on conversations with industry sources, of potential candidates …

Mets have to consider Kim Ng after sudden Marlins split  —  HOUSTON — Kim Ng should be on the Mets' radar.  —  Because Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns suddenly has a general manager role to fill after the abrupt resignation of Billy Eppler.

Texas Rangers outlast Houston Astros, take 2-0 ALCS lead  —  HOUSTON — You hear it so often at playoff time that the words take on the form of the cliche: The team that wins the big moments wins in the postseason.  —  For two games over two nights in the ALCS, and for seven games since the playoffs began …