ALCS Game 3 now set for Tuesday  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The last two times the Kansas City Royals played a postseason game at home, rain fell after the final out.  This time, it started well before the first pitch.  —  Game 3 of the AL Championship Series between the Royals and Baltimore Orioles …

Wacha's role: Extra-innings reliever  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  The role the Cardinals have assigned to righthander Michael Wacha also is one that they would prefer not to use.  —  A year after being the MVP of the National League championship series …

The Strike Zone Expansion is Out of Control  —  Borderline pitches such as this one are increasingly being called strikes.  (via Adam Baker)  —  The playoffs are here, which means games are scrutinized more than at any other time in the season, with millions of extra eyeballs watching …

Diamondbacks hire Chip Hale as manager  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to announce Chip Hale as their new manager Monday, two persons familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports.  —  The persons talked only on the condition of anonymity because the Diamondbacks have not made an official announcement.

THERE'S A GOOD REASON WHY HUNTER PENCE THROWS LIKE THAT  —  ST. LOUIS —Â" Ever wonder why Giants right fielder Hunter Pence looks so awkward when throwing?  —  There is a physiological explanation.  —  Pence, 31, told the FOX broadcasters before Game 1 of the NLCS that he has Scheuermann's Disease …

Last Slide  —  In his first extensive conversation about a baseball season that ranked as an irksome blend of success and failure, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on Sunday defended his bullpen decisions in a three-game playoff wipeout by the Orioles and shared in disappointment that, for many fans, bordered on disgust.

Getting a job interview can be hard to manage  —  Former Red Sox coach DeMarlo Hale is a great example that managerial candidates come and go.  He was in vogue for a while, but his name hasn't been included in searches for the last couple of years.  —  “I can't think of anyone more qualified …

Wong Homers in 9th, Cards Edge Giants to Tie NLCS  —  ST. LOUIS — Kolten Wong hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and the resilient St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 Sunday night, evening the NL Championship Series at one game apiece.

2014 League Top 20 Prospects Index  —  Baseball America has been ranking the top prospects in each minor league since 1982.  Every year, we talk to managers and scouts to determine the players in each league who [...]