Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Lester's newest moment — Jon Lester has a very important job tonight, the ramifications of which range beyond simply ensuring the Red Sox do not board a plane bound for Anaheim and Game 5 of the ALDS. — Lester, the new ace, is charged with keeping at bay the familiar — yet nearly forgotten …
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David Lefort / Boston Globe:
Amalie Benjamin Q&A — The Globe's Amalie Benjamin checked in earlier today to answer your questions about the Red Sox-Angels ALDS. Here's a transcript from the online chat: — Amalie Benjamin: Welcome all. I'm guessing we're all a wee bit tired, given the late hour of the game last night, but we'll have to power through.
Discussion:
Fire Brand of the …
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Playoffs Today — The story is the same as Sunday in the ALDS, the White Sox and Angels need to win to stay alive. Gavin Floyd hosts Andy Sonnanstine at 5 PM EDT. Andy improved his ERA about 1.5 runs versus 2007. His low walks and home run rates combined with a better defense did the trick.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:Notes: Sabathia would like a 2nd round as Milwaukee's finest
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Soriano blames flop in postseason on Cubs' make-up — A team of psychiatrists, theologians, numerologists and seamheads could convene at a secret location on the North Side in search of an explanation for the Cubs' latest October meltdown. — But Ryan Dempster said the reason is obvious to anyone paying attention.
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Rich Hofmann / Philly.com:
Charlie Manuel out to earn title of “winner” — MILWAUKEE - “Close the door,” Charlie Manuel said. We had walked into the visiting manager's office at Miller Park. It is like most of them - steel desk, black telephone, couple of chairs, impersonal, transient.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
‘Blackout’ electrifies Sox — Home-field benefits becoming clearer as series goes along — The cowbells in Tropicana Field didn't impress White Sox closer Bobby Jenks at all. — “Dumbest thing I ever saw,” he said Sunday of the fans' rallying tactic. “Just annoying. Minor league.”
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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Keith Law / ESPN:
Addition of cutter has made Danks an elite arm — I've seen a lot of revisionist thinking in the last week regarding the Rangers' trade of the new White Sox ace, John Danks, a deal that two years later has left Texas with almost no return in exchange for one of the 10 best starters in the American League this year.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:A-Rod: Ace recruiter for the Yankees
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Brian Costello / New York Post:
LEFTY LIKELY ON RADAR OF METS, YANKS — MILWAUKEE - CC Sabathia smiled when told Mets fans are dreaming of a starting rotation that begins with him and Johan Santana. — “That sounds good,” the premier free agent pitcher of this winter told The Post. — The 28-year-old's season came …
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Fox Sports:
With Brewers out, CC sweepstakes can begin — Now that the Brewers' season is over, let the CC sweepstakes begin. Ken Rosenthal sets the stage with a jam-packed odds board.
Anita Hassan / Houston Chronicle:
Backe among 8 held after scuffle with police at isle hotel — GALVESTON — Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested early Sunday morning during a riot at the San Luis Resort, police said. — FEMA coordinator Jaime Forero was also placed in custody during the incident …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Where will Atlanta find a bat? — MLB.com reporter Mark Bowman answers fans' questions — Who are the players Braves general manager Frank Wren will most likely look at while trying to find a power-hitting outfielder? — You mean after he's done pursuing Manny Ramirez?
Andrew Beaton / Hot Foot:
My Outrage at Citi Field — I have come to terms with The Collapse Part Deux surprisingly easily. As a general sports fan, I understand that losses are a part of the game and so are devastating ones. As a Mets fan, I realize that those heartbreaking losses will come more often than they do for your average sports fan.
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Steady Torre makes the difference (cont.) — Sveum's status iffy; how about Molitor? — Interim manager Dale Sveum's future with the Brewers hasn't been addressed yet, and while he did a steady job (better than Ned Yost, who was said by Brewers intimates to be disliked by players …
