HOUSTON (AP) — Ask Houston manager AJ Hinch to name the best thing about George Springer and he rattles off a laundry list of qualities he admires in the outfielder.When he finishes that list Brian Dozier Jersey , he adds a final thought.“I’m not sure there’s a perfect player,” Hinch said. “But he’s pretty close.”Last year’s World Series MVP hit three homers during a sweep of Cleveland in the AL Division Series, and the Astros look for him to keep delivering as they prepare for Boston’s powerful lineup in the AL Championship Series beginning Saturday.“There’s nothing not to like about Springer,” Hinch said. “His makeup’s good, his effort’s good, his competitiveness is off the charts, he’s happy when he comes to the ballpark every day, blends in well with all aspects of the clubhouse.”Springer’s three homers are tied with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the most this postseason and his six hits rank third in the playoffs. It’s a continuation of the work he did in helping the Astros to their first World Series title last season.In 2017, Springer hit six homers http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-morneau-jersey , five doubles and drove in nine runs in the postseason. Most of his damage came in the World Series when he hit five homers.The leadoff man came one shy of the MLB record when extended his streak of postseason games with a home run to five with a solo shot in a win over the Indians in the ALDS opener. He didn’t homer in Game 2, but made up for it by connecting twice in Game 3 to help the Astros complete the sweep.Springer tries not to get too wrapped up in statistics, but knows what people expect in October.“This is a result-oriented time of the year,” Springer said. “But for us it’s about doing anything that you can for the team. So just sticking with that mentality.”Springer’s teammates rave about what he does on the field and the attitude he brings to work every day.“Unbelievable teammate, unbelievable player,” third baseman Alex Bregman said. “Stepped up huge for us last year and then is stepping up huge for us now. Definitely fun to be on his team. He loves to compete and do anything to help the team win. We love George.”A two-time All-Star, Springer was the 11th overall pick out UConn in 2011. He made his debut in 2014 and since then has become one of Houston’s most consistent and dynamic players, part of a young core that helped the Astros morph from league laughingstocks to World Series champions in just a few short years.Springer hit a career-high 34 home runs last season and had 22 this year. It’s the type of power rarely seen in a leadoff hitter, but his pop combined with speed has been a great combination for the Astros.He believes the experience this team gained in capturing the franchise’s first title last year will help the Astros as the get deeper into this postseason. Springer also thinks Houston’s success last year has given the team a certain calmness this season no matter what challenge it encounters.Springer is rarely seen without a smile and you can often find him ****ing jokes to his teammates or dancing around the clubhouse. Despite the importance of the situation Kirby Puckett Jersey , he believes it’s important to remember that even though the stage is much bigger, they’re simply playing the game they love.“This is obviously a game where the higher up you go the harder it gets so you want to try to make things simple,” he said. “You want to try to have as much fun as you possibly can and just enjoy it and try to keep yourself and other guys loose.” WASHINGTON (AP) — In what could be one of his final games for the Nationals, Bryce Harper added another accomplishment to his impressive resume.Anthony Rendon homered and drove four runs, Harper reached 100 RBIs in a season for the first time and Washington beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.Juan Soto and Matt Wieters also homered for the Nationals, who broke it open with four runs on three pitches in the fourth inning.Harper started the big inning, driving in his 100th run with a sacrifice fly that scored Adam Eaton and put Washington ahead 3-1.“I think for me it’s just going out there and trying to score runs and doing the things I can. If I can get to 100 runs, 100 walks and 100 RBIs, it’s pretty cool http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-byron-buxton-jersey ,” said Harper, who has 126 walks and 99 runs scored. “I’ll take that any day of the week.”His previous high was 99 RBIs in 2015, when he won the NL MVP Award. Harper, a pending free agent, got a standing ovation from the sparse, rain-soaked crowd and congratulations from his teammates.Asked if he’s thought about this possibly being his final home series at Nationals Park, Harper said: “I think for me if I’m worried about that, I’m not worried about my at-bats that night or the game. I’ve got two more games at home and we’ll see what happens on Wednesday.”After Harper’s milestone, Rendon and Soto homered back-to-back on the next two pitches from Sandy Alcantara (2-2). Rendon lofted a two-run shot down the left-field line Ervin Santana Jersey , and Soto lined one into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center to make it 6-1.Rendon extended his on-base streak to 32 games, the longest active streak in the majors.“He’s Mr. Steady,” manager Dave Martinez said of Rendon, who has 23 homers and 87 RBIs in 131 games. “His all-around game, defense, offense, he’s the guy that keeps our offense together.”Justin Miller (7-1) allowed one unearned run in the fifth in relief of Stephen Strasburg, who was pulled after throwing 100 pitches over four innings. Strasburg gave up a run on three hits and four walks while striking out five and hitting a batter.Strasburg hasn’t lost since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 22.Peter O’Brien had two hits for Miami, which had won three straight. The Marlins left 10 men on base http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-miguel-sano-jersey , five in the first two innings.“Yeah we had a lot of chances,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “(Strasburg) threw close to 40 (pitches) in the first and had guys out there. Even after they score we still got guys out there, have a chance to get right back in it there and not able to do anything.”Alcantara allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings.The Nationals trailed 1-0 in the first when Rendon’s double scored Eaton and Harper.QUOTABLE“It’s sad that he doesn’t get the recognition that he should as one of the best third basemen in the game. I think it’s not fair because he definitely is a big-time player — a superstar player — every single day” — Harper on Rendon.TRAINER’S ROOMMarlins: Mattingly expects RHP Jose Urena, who experienced leg cramps last time out, to make his next scheduled start Friday in New York. “He ran yesterday,” Mattingly said. “It looks like he’s going to be fine. He’s getting an extra day (Thursday) anyway. I think he’ll start.”Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark went home Sunday to be with his wife after the recent birth of their third child. He is still slated to start Wednesday.UP NEXTMarlins: RHP Jeff Brigham (0-3, 5.84) makes his fourth major league start and first against Washington.Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.57) needs 10 strikeouts to reach 300 for the season. He’s 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA against the Marlins in 2018.