The Boston Red Sox have survived and advanced after beating the

New York Yankees in the American League Division Series Deion Sanders Jersey , but it was anything but easy.The Red Sox hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Yankees in the Bronx as Eduardo Nunez threw out Gleyber Torres on the final play of the game, leading to a champagne-and-beer celebration in the Boston locker room.After Boston ace Chris Sale retired the Yankees in order in the eighth inning, Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel entered the game in the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead. Kimbrel opened the inning by walking slugger Aaron Judge on four pitches and then gave up a two-out single to Didi Gregorius. After striking out Giancarlo Stanton, he walked Luke Voit and hit Neil Walker to bring in a run.Gary Sanchez stepped to the plate with the game on the line and after falling behind 0-2, he drove a ball to deep left field to drive in Gregorius.With the game and the Yankees' season on the line, Torres hit a slow grounder up the third base line, and Nunez made the do-or-die play to win the series by a 3-1 margin.The play survived replay review and the Red Sox roared their approval.The Red Sox will meet the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series, and Boston has home-field advantage. The two teams will open up Saturday at Fenway Park, with first pitch scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised by TBS.The Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in the National League Championship Series, and those two teams will open up in Milwaukee Friday night at 8:09 p.m., and the game will be broadcast by FS1. ALCSSat., Oct. 13 Astros at Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ET, TBSSun., Oct. 14 Astros at Red Sox, 7:09 p.m. ET, TBSTues., Oct. 16 Red Sox at Astros, time TBD, TBSWed., Oct. 17 Red Sox at Astros, time TBD, TBSThurs. Alen Hanson Jersey , Oct. 18 Red Sox at Astros*, time TBD, TBSSat., Oct. 20 Astros at Red Sox*, time TBD, TBSSun., Oct. 21 Astros at Red Sox*, time TBD, TBSNLCSFri., Oct. 12 Dodgers at Brewers, 8:09 p.m. ET, FS1Sat., Oct. 13 Dodgers at Brewers, 4:09 p.m. ET, FOXMon., Oct. 15 Brewers at Dodgers, time TBD, FOX or FS1Tues., Oct. 16 Brewers at Dodgers, time TBD, FOX or FS1Wed., Oct. 17 Brewers at Dodgers*, time TBD, FOX or FS1Fri. Edgar Martinez Jersey , Oct. 19 Dodgers at Brewers*, time TBD, FOX or FS1Sat., Oct. 20 Dodgers at Brewers*, time TBD, FOX or FS1*If necessaryThe Dodgers are minus-125 favorites to win the series, according to OddsShark, while the Brewers are minus-105 underdogs. Those betting on the Dodgers have to risk $125 to win $100, while Brewers backers wager $105 to win $100.The ALCS is viewed as a toss-up, as both teams are minus-115 to advance to the World Series.The Astros are plus-210 to win the World Series, followed by the Red Sox at plus-215, the Dodgers at plus-333 and the Brewers at plus-375. PredictionsThe Dodgers are playing in their third straight NLCS, and they hope to get back to the World Series for the second year in a row.They would seem to have an advantage over the Brewers because of their recent postseason success, and they became a stronger team when they added Manny Machado in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles shortly after the All-Star break.However, the Brewers are on an incredible roll, as they swept the Colorado Rockies out of the division series in three games after beating the Chicago Cubs in Game 163 to win the NL Central pennant.The Dodgers have one of the generation's best pitchers in Clayton Kershaw, and he was dominant in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.However, the Brewers have a lights-out bullpen and the potential MVP in Christian Yelich.We see the Brewers rewarding their fans by winning the series in seven games.The Astros are a confident team, and they beat the Red Sox in the ALDS in four games last year. While both teams are explosive on offense and have good-to-excellent starting pitching, the Astros appear to have the better bullpen.While that should be a key factor, we see Boston manager Alex Cora giving the Red Sox a slight edge over his former team.The Red Sox take advantage of their home-field advantage and win the American League pennant in seven games. First off, Commissioner, we didn't need you to inform us that Trout is a great player. The stats and eyeball test confirm as much.Second off, what exactly are you implying? Should he grow out his sideburns and become "Hollywood Mike Trout"? Should he start flipping his bat and getting into it with opposing pitchers?Or is it merely that he's passing on marketing opportunities that would line the pockets of MLB?Trout wore a mic on the field during the 2018 All-Star Game. He engaged a young fan in super-cool fashion at the All-Star Game in D.C. Ryon Healy Jersey , per Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.He makes himself available. As USA Today's Ted Berg put it, "This is Mike Trout: Extraordinarily talented, friendly and patient with fans and media, and unlikely to generate any hotly contested sound bytes."Then again, maybe Trout finally is.OK, sure, we're referring to a statement issued by the Angels on behalf of Trout in the wake of Manfred's comments. Still, it features some pointed, if implied, barbs:"Mike Trout is an exceptional ambassador for the game. Combinedwith his talent, his solid character creates a perfect role model for young people everywhere. Each year, Mike devotes a tremendous amount of his time and effort contributing to our Organization, and marketing Major League Baseball. He continually chooses to participate in the community, visiting hospitals, schools, and countless other charities."The statement goes on to mention Trout's "humility" and to note that the Angels"applaud him for prioritizing his personal values over commercial self-promotion."Added Halos communications director Eric Kay:Eric Kay EKay2121Bottom line, Mike Trout doesnt self promote and he gets criticized for it. Everyone else thinks they know what is best for Mike. No one takes more time to engage with fans than Trout. THE GAME IS ABOUT THE FANS. He represents the #Angels better than anyone has. EVER.Clearly, Manfred's words reached the ears of the best player in the game and the franchise that employs him.Trout isn't about to take the heat for baseball's wavering popularity or Manfred's possible insecurity over a dearth of marketable stars.Trout isn't the Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, for example, with his brash antics and "Make Baseball Fun Again"schtick.Inan interviewwith Fox Sports' Alex Rodriguez,Trout did say players should be able to express themselves. He's not a killjoy. Just an unassuming guy with a generational gift.Maybe Manfred wishes Harper was the face of the sport. Unfortunately, despite winning the Home Run Derby and clubbing 23 first-half dingers, Harper owns a .214 average and has had an up-and-down season in D.C.Trout, meanwhile http://www.marinersfanproshop.com/authentic-edgar-martinez-jersey , keeps chugging along. He produces at historic levels. He doesn't foment discord or spout off in ways that damage the game. He hits, he runs, he catches, he smiles. He does good work on and off the field. Isn't that enough?Stephen Brashear/Getty ImagesMaybe not for the future of MLB, as it competes for clicks and attention and eyeballs in a crowded sports marketplace.That problem is on Manfred, however, and the rest of his braintrust.Trout, by all accounts, is a decent, accessible dude who also happens to be really, really good at baseball."In general, baseball does not do as good a job as other major sports in the U.S. as far as promoting their stars nationwide, especially compared to NFL and NBA," Henry Schafer of Q Scores, a firm that measures the appeal and recognition of sports figures, said, per Kilgore.According to Q Scores, reserve NBA forward Kenneth Faried has a similar Q Score to Trout. Faried averaged 14.4 minutes and 5.9 points per game last season.For that to be possible, Manfred should be asking himself, "What's wrong with baseball?" That's the right question.Here's another question: Does Michael Nelson Trout owe MLB a damn thing?Here's the answer: Nope. All statistics current as of Wednesday and courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.