Jeez, that feels like ages ago. Facing the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees’ ace crumbled in the win-or-go-home contest. Fortunately for Severino, he was picked up by New York’s lineup and bullpen in a thrilling Yankees comeback. “That wasn’t me,” Severino told Sporting News, referring to the wild-card game. “I wasn’t throwing my best. I was missing my pitches. I don’t want to let down my team like that.” How quickly things change....

Alas, it was not to be. MORE: Top postseason moments in Mets history The Rangers crushed the Angels 9-2 to win the West title for the first time since 2011. The Angels loss also assured the Halos could not catch the Astros for the second wild-card spot. What is the MLB playoff bracket? Other games Sunday that affected the postseason picture: — The Astros lost to the Diamondbacks 5-3, giving the Yankees home field in Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Game;...

Charlie Morton tossed five innings while allowing one unearned run, Yandy Diaz hit two homers and the Rays combined to hit four in total. There’s really not much more to say, but we’ll still say some things. MLB playoffs 2019: Three takeaways from Rays’ convincing wild-card win over A’s Don’t get it twisted, Charlie Morton is one of the most clutch pitchers in MLB Yes, the A’s missed some opportunities in the wild-card game (more on that later) and no, a lot of people don’t know much about Charlie Morton, but over the last three years, Morton has turned into one of the most clutch pitchers in MLB and one of the best in general....

The Astros are really good again. The Mariners are better than we expected. The Braves and Phillies have pushed their “we’re contenders” timeline up a year. The Cardinals and Twins are struggling with mediocrity. The Orioles have been worse than expected, and the same thing goes for the Royals. The Mets … well, that’s a topic for another day. Let’s get into the power rankings … MORE: Recap the surprises of the 2018 MLB Draft’s first round...

Here’s a quick breakdown of each rookie’s major league ETA and what fantasy baseball owners can expect, whether you’re in a keeper league or hoping to pick up these sleepers off the waiver wire. MORE: Full prospect rankings | SN Fantasy MLB Prospect Rankings: New top 10 1. Yoan Moncada, 2B, Boston (2017). We won’t see Moncada in the majors this season, and it might even be late next year before he cracks the big league roster....

Urias, 22, was allegedly seen by witnesses Monday arguing with a woman at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles around 9:30 p.m. PT. According to witnesses, the argument turned physical when Urias allegedly shoved the woman to the ground. MLB released a statement on the matter Tuesday (via the Los Angeles Times): “We are aware of the incident and are in the process of gathering the facts.” Police were called after the incident, but both Urias and the woman allegedly said no physical altercation took place....

The response was outstanding. Insightful. Funny. Profound. So many great answers, in fact, that I split this into two parts. Part 1 ran last week; Part 2 is today. MORE: What to know about MLB’s reported 2020 plan Here’s our panel, for lack of a better word: Kirby Yates (Padres closer), Luke Voit (Yankees first baseman), Grayson Greiner (Tigers catcher), Jim Leyritz (retired 11-year veteran), Len Kasper (Cubs TV play-by-play), Billy Bean (MLB Vice President & Special Assistant to the Commissioner), Joe Davis (Dodgers TV play-by-play), Tyler Kepner (New York Times national baseball writer), Jay Jaffe (FanGraphs senior writer), Anne Rogers (MLB....

Players are listed by their cities of birth according to the indispensible baseball-reference.com. Alabama: Craig Kimbrel, Huntsville — The 2011 National League Rookie of the Year has led the Senior Circuit in saves each of the past three seasons, including 50 for the Braves in 2013. Alaska: Daniel Schlereth, Anchorage — The lefthander will be in Pirates camp this spring on a non-roster invitation. It’s been a steep drop from when Curt Schilling was in the majors....

On Friday, Major League Baseball weighed in with this: MORE: How ESPN personalities fared after they left | Cowherd remarks remind us harmful Dominican stereotypes still pervasive During a commentary Thursday that started as a discussion about Marlins manager Dan Jennings, Cowherd began to ramble on about the “complexity of the game" and said, in part, “… The Dominican Republic has not been known in my lifetime as having world class academic abilities....

In addition to the freezing winter temperatures, the emptiness of no baseball has fans chilled to their core and makes the wait for baseball season feel like forever. But soon — very soon — the soothing sounds of mitts popping and bats cracking is going to warm baseball fans around the country, while the fuzzy, warm blanket of hope is going to embrace those same fans for all 30 teams....

While the prospect catching cupboard isn’t very full in 2019, it’s also not completely bare. Blue Jays prospect Danny Jansen — our No. 48 prospect — is likely to open the season as Toronto’s starting backstop, and the Padres’ Francisco Mejia, the No. 8 prospect, could begin the year sharing time behind the plate or playing a utility role in San Diego. DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 cheat sheet...

Roark, 32, is 6-7 with a 4.24 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 110 innings in his first first season with the Reds after six with the Nationals. He’s being paid $10 million this season and will be a free agent this winter. The Reds, who included cash considerations with Roark, will get minor-league outfielder Jameson Hannah in return. The deal comes after the Reds on Tuesday night acquired Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer in a big three-team deal that also included the Padres and sent Cincinnati outfielder Yasiel Puig to Cleveland....

Atlanta has acquired closer Shane Greene from the Tigers and Mark Melancon from the Giants, the team announced, giving the Braves their second and third veteran bullpen additions in 24 hours. Reports earlier on deadline day had indicated it might be down to the Braves and the Nationals in the race for Greene’s services, but Washington swung deals to acquire relievers Daniel Hudson, Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland in the meantime, clearing the way for Atlanta to nab the Detroit All-Star....

MLB FREE AGENTS: Best infielders available | Top 25 players | C | P | OF But the move drew a different reaction from a couple other big leaguers. "It pays to cheat ... Thanks, owners, for encouraging PED use," Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler tweeted. "Apparently getting suspended for PED's means you get a raise. What's stopping anyone from doing it? #weneedtomakeachange," free agent pitcher David Aardsma tweeted. Peralta, 31, was suspended 50 games last season as a result of Major League Baseball's investigation in the Biogenesis case involving performance-enhancing drugs....

The Diamondbacks would like to trim payroll and reportedly are willing to do so at the expense of one of their top starting pitchers. THE RUMOR: Arizona is dangling 28-year-old starting pitcher Wade Miley, and that has attracted the attention of the Red Sox, among other teams, who have kicked the tires on trade discussions with the D-backs. REPORTED BY: Bob Nightengale, USA Today THE DETAILS: Arizona’s payroll currently exceeds $100 million....

Lots of teams were involved in moving lots of players around the majors. Trades can still happen, of course (you remember the Justin Verlander-to-Houston deal), but the process is a tiny bit more complicated. Before any player on a 40-man roster can be traded in August, he has to pass through revocable waivers first. If a player passes through waivers, he’s eligible to be traded to any team. If a player is claimed (the team with the worst record on that day gets priority, if more than one team claims the same player), the team has three options: 1....

The Padres have already dealt two starters this season in Drew Pomeranz and James Shields and are expected to ship Andrew Cashner before the deadline as well, all but ridding their staff of veteran starters. Jimenez, who has spent the past three seasons struggling (5.02 ERA) in the small confines of Camden Yards, could use a change of scenery and a return to the NL West, where he dominated in 2010 with the Rockies....

Philadelphia general manager Matt Klentak has been “in contact with every team that has pitching available,” MLB insider Jim Bowden reported Tuesday during an appearance on CBS Sports HQ. The Phillies came into the season with high expectations but have been inconsistent so far. They entered play Tuesday with a 48-46 record and have lost four of their last six games. While Philadelphia is tied for the second wild-card spot, president Andy MacPhail said the team might not be willing to trade top prospects for frontline players....

“Numerous teams are trying to obtain the righthander, including the Red Sox, according to a team source,” reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe . “Samardzija is 29 and can become a free agent in 2016.” Oakland GM Billy Beane, who traded All-Star 3B Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays Friday, appears determined to rework his roster following a disappointing ending the 2014 season. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are looking to contend in 2015 after finishing last in the American League East....