Quite often, the sound and fury of Pedro Alvarez’s swing signify an empty at-bat, but the results are truly special when he connects. Alvarez went 2-for-4 Friday — much better than his usual success rate against the Cardinals — but he continued a pattern of doing damage with his hits.

Gerrit Cole’s effort in the Pirates’ Game 2 win on Friday may have surprised some, but not Greg Smith, who pushed the Bucs to pick Cole in the 2011 Draft the way he pushed the Tigers to select Justin Verlander years earlier.

Gerrit Cole brought serenity back to the Pirates’ postseason early Friday, firing two-hit ball for six innings in a 7-1 win over the Cardinals that squared the National League Division Series at one game apiece.

Six weeks ago, Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd were both bright spots on scuffling ballclubs — Morneau with the Twins and Byrd with the Mets. On Friday, the two, anchored in the heart of the Pirates’ playoff lineup, helped fuel Pittsburgh to a victory in Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium.

With “B Strong” freshly manicured into Fenway Park’s outfield grass, the Red Sox put on a touching tribute to the victims, heroes and first responders of the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 prior to Game 1 of the ALDS.

Dusty Baker is out as manager of the Reds after six seasons. The change in the dugout comes after the Reds were defeated in the National League Wild Card Game by the Pirates on Tuesday. Baker had one year remaining on a two-year contract.

Jon Lester knows what it feels like to open a postseason series for his team, but this marks the first of his three career Game 1 starts that will be at Fenway Park, with a packed house roaring on every strike.

A look at tonight’s starting lineups for Game 1 of the NL Division Series between the Cardinals and the Pirates.

Former big league outfielder Chad Curtis was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison Thursday after being found guilty on six counts of criminal sexual conduct earlier in the summer.

Dale Sveum, who was dismissed as the Cubs’ manager earlier this week, was added to the Royals’ coaching staff on Thursday. The Major League coaching contracts of Chino Cadahia and Eddie Rodriguez were not renewed.

Seeing history unfold at Marlins Park on Sunday was one thing. Putting Henderson Alvarez’s walk-off no-hitter into words was another. On Sunday, the Marlins radio and television broadcasters didn’t mask what they were watching.

The addition of two starting pitchers for the National League Division Series knocked catcher Tony Sanchez and outfielder Travis Snider off the Pirates’ 25-man roster that will take on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bartolo Colon didn’t expect to be pitching at age 40. Not in the postseason, and certainly not as a Game 1 starter, a title last reserved for him eight years ago. But the righty is still thriving with a calm, cool and collected demeanor, and he’s ready for Friday’s matchup against the Tigers in Oakland.

When the Braves host the Dodgers on Thursday in Game 1 of the NLDS, Atlanta will be looking to help put an end to its streak of seven straight playoff series losses dating back to 2001.

Chase Headley flew home to Tennessee on Thursday, two days removed from having surgery on his left knee. He’ll be on crutches for a few weeks, but will be able to start his offseason workout routine on time, or possibly one week late, in about six weeks.

While the Tigers have bigger names in their lineup and rotation than the A’s do, the numbers and reputations won’t matter when Detroit’s Max Scherzer opposes Oakland’s Bartolo Colon in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Friday night at O.co Coliseum.

After winning two straight elimination games, the Rays’ postseason run continues Friday afternoon at Fenway Park, where they’ll face off against Jon Lester and the AL East champion Red Sox.