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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs show true colors in sweep defeat — LIKE THIS STORY? — A computer analysis by Baseball Prospectus gave the Diamondbacks a 7 percent chance of sweeping the Cubs. — The computer being a computer, it couldn't account for the human element in the Division Series:
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Improbable D-backs just know how to win … CHICAGO — They defy the numbers. They defy the experts. They practically defy logic itself. — But that's the beauty of those improbable Arizona Diamondbacks. They're a reminder to all of us that there are no magic formulas in this game they play.
Discussion:
Out in the Desert
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Diamondbacks finish 3-game sweep of Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Short on stars but brimming with young talent, the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a sweet playoff sweep and celebrated like October regulars. — For the anguished Chicago Cubs, it's another cry of `Wait Til Next Year.'
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
The one left behind — Deer-hunting season opened in Oregon about a week ago, so Wally Backman stocked his RV with food and ammo and headed for Pueblo Mountain. It's serene up there - about 6,000 feet above sea level, only eight miles to the Nevada border and a world away from the National League playoffs.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Melvin confident with Hernandez — Manager set to start former Series MVP — CHICAGO - The Diamondbacks will be stepping out of one raucous environment and into another today at Wrigley Field, and Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin is pleased to be handing the ball to veteran Livan Hernandez in such a situation.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Playoffs Today — Two National League teams go for sweeps today in the National League Division Series. The Diamondbacks and Cubs start the evening at Wrigley with Livan Hernandez facing Rich Hill. As the Arizona Republic points out: … Livan is showing his real age …
Howard Bryant / ESPN:
Yankees counting on Clemens to save season … NEW YORK — The details of the night of Oct. 17, 2003, otherwise known as Game 7 of the American League Championship Series between the Red Sox and Yankees, remain seared into baseball consciousness and do not require much recap …
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Will Leitch / Fair and Foul:
A Plague on the Yankees — Not to sound un-American here, but there are several parallels between the New York Yankees and the People's Republic of China. They're both overpowering empires shrouded in mystery and nationalistic fervor. They're founded on the principle that the collective interest always outweighs the individual.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Again, the Indians Create the Buzz — It is natural to be drawn to Joba Chamberlain, to the irresistible story of the rookie fireballer from Nebraska who saved the Yankees' season. But nobody expected the bugs from Lake Erie to care. — Yet they were attracted to Chamberlain …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Teammates in awe of Manny — Slugger's walk-off jack makes Sox even more dangerous — ANAHEIM — In the short term, Manny Ramirez delivered the Red Sox an instant postseason victory with one swing by hitting a ball so far that his teammates were literally awed.
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Pat Borzi / New York Times:
Stage Is Set for Schilling to Try Out His New Act — The ingredients for a spectacular performance landed softly in Curt Schilling's lap Saturday. — The Red Sox need one victory to finish off the Los Angeles Angels in the American League division series. Schilling is scheduled to start Game 3 Sunday afternoon.
Associated Press:
Rockies roll to NLDS sweep — White-hot club tops Phillies for 17th win in 18 games — DENVER (AP) — The blackout at Coors Field was caused by a cranky computer. Blame the Philadelphia Phillies' power outage on rookie Ubaldo Jimenez and a Colorado bullpen that has been lights out for three weeks.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Mets' Glavine declines $13 million option for 2008 — Schuerholz silent on Braves' interest — Tom Glavine took the first step toward a possible return to the Braves on Friday when the left-hander declined a $13 million option with the New York Mets. — The move made Glavine eligible …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
John Brattain / Hardball Times:
Yost infection — Sometimes you find the best information in the oddest places. For instance: I find blogs a treasure trove of useful information. The thing is, as you know, I also write for a mainstream outlet. The demographic of the readers there is a lot different from the ones here …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
