Umpiring crews set for ALCS and NLCS
Hirschbeck leads American League crew; Barrett is chief for National League
The umpire crews have been set for the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series, with 32-year veteran John Hirschbeck leading the AL crew and 19-year veteran Ted Barrett leading the NL crew.
It will be Hirschbeck's 19th career postseason assignment, and his fifth LCS. The rest of his crew is: Laz Diaz, Dan Iassogna, Jeff Nelson, Tony Randazzo and Hunter Wendelstedt.
• Dress for October at the MLB.com Shop
Randazzo will serve as the home-plate umpire in Game 1. Jim Reynolds will serve as the ALCS replay official in Games 1 and 2 (with the assistance of Mike Estabrook), before Randazzo takes over that responsibility in Game 3.
Video: Breaking down the pitching matchups in the ALCS
• Complete postseason schedule
Barrett is in his 21st postseason assignment, including his seventh LCS. He will work with Eric Cooper, Rob Drake, Paul Emmel, Tim Timmons and Bill Miller. Drake will work the plate in Game 1 of the NLCS, with Mark Wegner (with the assistance of Estabrook) serving as the replay official in Games 1 and 2, before Drake takes over in Game 3.
The ALCS between the Royals and Blue Jays begins Friday in Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX Sports/Sportsnet). The NLCS between the Cubs and Mets will begin Saturday in New York (7:30 p.m. ET on TBS).