Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Starting could relieve Papelbon — NEW YORK — With just more than two weeks left in the regular season, the Red Sox have essentially made their first big decision of the offseason. — Jonathan Papelbon, whose dominance as a closer this season evoked memories of Dick Radatz …
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Papelbon gets new start: Shuts down, eyes a spot in rotation — NEW YORK - Jonathan Papelbon said his days as the Red Sox' closer most likely are over, and that he anticipates returning next season as a member of the rotation. — The rookie, who suffered a subluxation - or slippage within the joint …
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
Spoken Like A True Starter — Papelbon Says Plan Is To Join '07 Rotation — NEW YORK — Sometime between now and Opening Day, the Red Sox will get around to announcing what Jonathan Papelbon's role will be next season. — But there's no need to wonder whether he will be counted on to get 21 outs or three.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Papelbon looking ahead — Rookie doubts return this season, eyes starting rotation in '07 — NEW YORK — During an impromptu chat with reporters in front of a couch in the visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium on Friday, Red Sox rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon had a couple of meaningful revelations.
Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:
Closing down: Sox considering Papelbon as a starter — NEW YORK — It will be another few weeks before a decision is finalized. But all that's needed is a final meeting and a rubber stamp: Jonathan Papelbon's role as Red Sox closer — successful as it might have been — is over.
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Sox-Yanks opener washed out — Day-night twin bills set for both Saturday, Sunday — NEW YORK — The four-game series between the Red Sox and Yankees has suddenly transformed into two days of twin-bill baseball. — Friday night's game between the two rivals was postponed due to rain …
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Notes: Short memory a must for LA — Dodgers undaunted by 3-11 season mark against Padres — LOS ANGELES — Baseball is a game in which you have to have many things, one of the most important of those being a short memory. — Coming into a four-game set with the Padres, the Dodgers will need to put that short memory to good use.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
Webb dominant in win over Rockies — Fans pay tribute to Gonzalez with standing ovations — PHOENIX — Brandon Webb was all smiles on Friday night. — And why shouldn't he be? — The Arizona ace was masterful once again as he turned in his second straight complete game …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
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Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:A young D-Backs infield similar to Dodgers past
Discussion:
MLB.com
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Page's lessons pay off — Hitting coach pleased with team's progress in second half — WASHINGTON — Since the All-Star break, the Nationals have shown improvement on offense. During the first half of the season, Washington hit .257, had a .329 on-base percentage and a .417 slugging percentage.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Perez rediscovers his heat — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — To glance at Oliver Perez's statistics before and after the Pirates traded him to New York, there is not much separation. He was 2-10 with a 6.63 ERA beforehand and is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in four starts with the Mets.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Baker not saying if Howry has replaced Dempster — Because of the Cubs' lopsided loss to the Reds, manager Dusty Baker was spared Friday of making a decision on a closer and insisted again it was a "non-story," even though the day before he used Bob Howry to close out the Dodgers in the ninth instead of Ryan Dempster.
Discussion:
GROTA
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Izzy case isn't closed — A degenerative hip condition afflicting Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen is not believed to be career-ending but will require surgery in upcoming weeks, several people familiar with the case confirmed Thursday. — "It's a fact that what he has can't be addressed without …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
The Tears Shed by Martínez Are Anything but Joyful — Pedro Martínez pitched for the first time in more than a month. Unfortunately for the Mets, he was inconsistent and ineffective, allowing four runs on six hits. — The Mets were anticipating an emotional night …
Fox Sports:
MLB power rankings — It's time for another dose of your weekly Power Rankings. — Questions for this week ... Do the Astros have a realistic shot at the playoffs? Who's the key player for the Padres down the stretch? How bad has Nomar been in the second half? Can Toronto make it to second place in the East?
