LEADING OFF: Playoff field set, Paxton and Correa ailing

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This article was published 27/09/2019 (2492 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

PLAYOFF POSITION

The 10-team field for the post-season is set — Oakland and Tampa Bay clinched the last two spots and will meet in the AL wild-card game Wednesday night. The clubs are now tied and the A’s will host the matchup if they wind up even.

The Houston Astros have clinched home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs and will play the wild-card winner in the Division Series. The Yankees and Twins meet in the other ALDS.

In the NL, division champs Atlanta and the Dodgers are in, along with Washington, St. Louis and Milwaukee. The Cardinals and Brewers are still competing for the Central title, with the loser facing the Nationals in the wild-card game Tuesday night.

CHECK HIM

The Yankees will see how lefty James Paxton is feeling, a day after he was pulled from a start after one inning because of a tight left glute muscle.

Paxton’s departure at Texas ended his career-best streak of victories in 10 consecutive starts. The AL East champs say he was taken out as a precaution.

“Just when I was warming up, felt a little bit of tightness there, a little discomfort,” Paxton said. “I think I could have kept going, but they wanted to play it safe and have me completely rested for what comes next.”

The Yankees open the Division Series next Friday against Minnesota.

SHAKY SHORTSTOP

The Astros don’t know whether shortstop Carlos Correa’s back injury will keep him out of the AL Division Series. Correa is missing the final week of the regular season to rest. He will go through workouts in Houston early next week to determine whether he can play in the first round for the AL West champions.

Correa has barely played since Aug. 19, making only 11 plate appearances since. He is batting .279 with 21 homers and 59 RBIs.

Rookie third baseman Abraham Toro could be Correa’s replacement on the division series roster, with Alex Bregman shifting to shortstop.

FOLTY ON A ROLL

Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.46 ERA) has won four straight starts and seven consecutive decisions for the NL East champion Atlanta Braves heading into his outing against the Mets at Citi Field.

Foltynewicz figures to be part of the rotation in the Division Series along with Dallas Keuchel, Mike Soroka and Max Fried

TUNING UP

Patrick Corbin (14-7, 305 ERA) starts for the Washington Nationals against Cleveland in his last regular-season outing. Corbin could wind up starting a Division Series opener for the Nationals if they win the wild-card game and use Stephen Strasburg in relief of starter Max Scherzer.

SEVY

Luis Severino has pitched nine scoreless innings for the New York Yankees in his two starts after recovering from a lat injury that had sidelined him since spring training.

Severino’s two outings were against the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto, teams long out of contention, and on a familiar mound at Yankee Stadium. He may have a harder test at Texas.

Severino will be part of the playoff rotation for the AL East champions.

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