Top News:
Stephen A. Smith / Centre Daily Times:
Philadelphia Phillies — NEW YORK - The Phillies score runs these days. This is something we know. They'll probably be in the thick of the wild-card race down to late September. This will surprise no one. — And while it's true the combination of both should keep things interesting …
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NY Daily News:
Personal hell for Alex is getting worse by the day — In the last days before September, here are the biggest and most important position players in New York: Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Beckett still pointed toward his next start — SEATTLE — Josh Beckett played catch yesterday and will again today as he hopes to stay on course to make his scheduled start Tuesday in Oakland. — The right hander cut his right middle finger with his own fingernail in the sixth inning Thursday …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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NY Daily News:
Get ready ... aim ... fire — Which skippers' jobs are in the crosshairs — With Labor Day and the September stretch comes the second manager firing season - the first being right before the All-Star break - and so far all 30 Opening Day skippers are still on the job.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
Girardi on hot seat despite success — Loria isn't only official to clash with manager. — MIAMI GARDENS — In these dog days of August, when teams roll over and play dead, the Baby Marlins won their sixth straight game Saturday night. They're now four games under .500.
George King / New York Post:
PAVANO SUFFERS SETBACK — ANAHEIM - Carl Pavano is running out of body parts to break down. — Following his rehab start for Columbus (Triple-A) Friday night, Pavano talked of a problem with an oblique muscle, and there is the possibility he will be shut down.
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Iannetta finishes ride to bigs — Chris Iannetta's dream came true Friday night in Salt Lake City. That's where he received word he was being called up from the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox to the Rockies. — The magnitude of the big- league dream kept him awake until the sun rose over the Wasatch Mountains.
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Irv Moss / Denver Post:
Reliever Speier returning to mound — With a new crop of prospects moving front and center in the Rockies organization, it might be difficult to remember pitcher Ryan Speier. — But three seasons ago, Speier was at the top of the futures list as he compiled a season of 37 saves for the Tulsa Drillers in the Double-A Texas League.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Dodgers' Kent hits game-winning homer — PHOENIX —Jeff Kent homered to lead off the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 Saturday night. — Kent's towering shot to left on a 3-2 pitch from Luis Vizcaino (3-4) …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:Dodgers Finally Catch Break on Kent's Homer
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Tough love, then a tough loss — Sox storm back from 6-3 deficit only to fall to torrid Twins in 11 — TWINS 8, WHITE SOX 7 (11) — The Twins took another big bite out of the White Sox's playoff chances Saturday night while chomping away at the Tigers' once-seemingly invincible lead in the AL Central.
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Associated Press:
Padres-Rockies Preview — The San Diego Padres are surging at the right time and so is right-hander Jake Peavy . — Peavy tries to lead the Padres (66-63) to their sixth win in seven games when they face the Colorado Rockies (60-69) on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series.
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Associated Press:
Giants knock out Arroyo, pick up game in wild-card race — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — SAN FRANCISCO — It took well into the season's second half for the San Francisco Giants to start playing with the sense of urgency manager Felipe Alou has been looking for all year.
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Sean Holland / Fire Brand of the American League:
THEO — When I first sat down to write this article, I tried a systematic, reasoned evaluation of our GM. I opened up transaction reports, Cot's Baseball Contracts, espn.com's stats page, baseball prospectus PECOTA cards... every resource I could think of to make my point.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This is one star that is in a wobbly orbit — SEATTLE — More news yesterday from the International Astronomical Union general assembly in Prague. In the wake of their controversial decision to demote Pluto, the astronomers have agreed to officially recognize Planet Manny as the new ninth celestial body in our solar system.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
David Briggs / MLB.com:
Georgia riding high as US champs — Strong outing by Phillips works Columbus to title game — SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A jubilant heap players formed a recklessly joyful pile along the third-base line. Their fans just feet away rowdily hugged. The chorus of "Celebrate Good Times" blared from the Lamade Stadium speakers.
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