HOUSTON — Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. opposes Chicago’s Lance Lynn when the Astros and White Sox begin their best-of-five AL Division Series. The White Sox and Astros were separated by just two wins as they captured their respective division titles, but Houston took the season series, 5-2. The Astros are making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance. The AL Central champion White Sox are making their second consecutive trip.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rookie Shane McClanahan takes the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays when the defending AL champions open a best-of-five Division Series against lefty Eduardo Rodriguez and the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox led the division by 4 ½ games on July 7, only to finish eight games behind the Rays. Tampa Bay won the season series, 11-8 despite losing their first four meetings with Boston.

UNDATED (AP) — NFC West rivals clash when the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle snapped a two-game losing streak last weekend, while the Rams are coming off their first setback of the season. Meanwhile, add Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey to a growing list of NFL players who don’t like Thursday night games. The 2019 All-Pro said he “definitely” feels like playing on a short week against the Houston Texans contributed to his hamstring injury, which held him out of last week’s 36-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. McCaffrey has been limited this week in practice but feels as if he might be able to play Sunday when the Panthers host the Philadelphia Eagles.

MONTREAL (AP) — Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has voluntarily entered the NHL/NHL Players’ Association joint player assistance program. The move comes less than a week before the season begins and just three months after he backstopped Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final. The 34-year-old Price will be away from the team while he takes part in the program for at least 30 days. Price’s wife says on social media that Price is putting his mental health and family first. Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin says the teams backs Price and would urge anyone needing help to get it.

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Former BYU tight end and college football hall of famer Gordon Hudson died Sept. 27. He was 59. The school says he died in San Jose, California. Hudson suited up for the Cougars from 1980 to 1983, earning All-America honors as a junior and senior. He amassed 2,484 yards receiving and 22 touchdowns over his decorated career. He also helped BYU capture four Western Athletic Conference titles and earn four Holiday Bowl invitations. Hudson hauled in passes from such notable BYU quarterbacks as Jim McMahon, Steve Young and Robbie Bosco.

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