Top News:
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Maddon: Kazmir's Game 5 start is no surprise — Saying he was not a fan of “last-minute changes,” Rays manager Joe Maddon met with the media today at Fenway Park to explain that the sudden switch he made from James Shields to Scott Kazmir as his Game 5 starter Thursday night against the Red Sox was, in fact, a premeditated move.
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ESPN:
Rays pulling tarp off upper-deck seats at the Trop — The nosebleed seats in the upper deck of Tropicana Field will no longer be draped in blue when the Tampa Bay Rays come back home — whether that's for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series or Game 1 of the World Series.
Discussion:
ESPN.com, Baseball Digest Daily Blog, Bugs & Cranks, Washington Post, Red Sox Monster and Baseball Musings
Brant James / St. Petersburg Times:
Even for Red Sox, it's ‘hit the panic button’ — BOSTON — On Monday night, “panic” was overstating it. After another blowout loss that dropped them one game from elimination in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, “panic” was about right, second baseman Dustin Pedroia said.
John Perrotto / Unfiltered:ALCS Game 4 pre-game tidbits
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Lookout Landing, SOX & Dawgs, THE BASEBALL SAVANT, Bluebird Banter, Associated Press, 6-4-2 and SOX1FAN
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Organization feeling out trade offers for Padres staff ace Peavy — Kevin Towers said last month it would be “very, very difficult to trade Jake Peavy” because of the ace pitcher's value to the Padres. Nonetheless, the general manager is open to trade offers for Peavy …
Discussion:
Sabernomics, MLB FanHouse, C70 At The Bat, Ducksnorts, Gaslamp Ball, It is about the money, stupid and Halos Heaven
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Enough postseason, let's get to Peavy — So I'm getting the distinct impression that most of you on the Braves/MIB blog would like to be done already with this postseason so we can get on to important stuff: the Braves' pursuit of starting pitchers and a power-hitting outfielder.
Dan Hayes / North County Times:PADRES: Padres make Peavy available for trade
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter (TCR), Lone Star Ball, Walkoff Walk, Talking Chop, 6-4-2 and Gaslamp Ball
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Olney On Pettitte, Mussina — By Tim Dierkes [October 15 at 10:52am CST] — Lots of good stuff from ESPN's Buster Olney today. His scoop on the Yankees' free agent starters: — A longtime friend of Andy Pettitte reiterated that the left-hander intends to pitch in 2009 …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
How Red Sox could still win ALCS — The Rays look faster, they look healthier, and they look stronger near the end of the arduous baseball season, which is easy to do when you're circling the bases like Jimmie Johnson at the Daytona 500. The obstacles that are in front of the Red Sox are enormous …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Paul Pringle / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers tap into anger about their unruly home fans — Dodgers fans cheer for Manny Ramirez after he hits a double in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against Philadelphia. Team spokesman Charles Steinberg conceded the issue of alcohol-fueled rowdiness “is not solved.”
Fox Sports:
When Dodgers' season ends, the real game begins — The Dodgers' season could end tonight. Ken Rosenthal says that's when the real fun could begin for free agent Manny Ramirez.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Mandi Illuzzi / Us Weekly:
Source: Madonna and Alex Rodriguez Are “Definitely Romantic” — As Madonna announces her divorce from husband Guy Ritchie, a source close to the singer tells Usmagazine.com she and the New York Yankees slugger “are definitely romantic.” — “Guy is not involved in this equation,” the insider tells Usmagazine.com.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs prospects learn in Fall League — Hitting coach Sandberg helps educate young Solar Sox — CHICAGO — The Cubs' 2008 season may be over but for young players like Tyler Colvin and Darwin Barney, there's still plenty of baseball to be played. And they're lucky enough to be able to pick Ryne Sandberg's brain a little.
Discussion:
Cubs f/x
John Gonzalez / Philly.com:
A day later, still a hero — LOS ANGELES - On the day after, it was just as hard to process as it had been the night before. Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer, and now the Phils are just one win away from their first World Series in 15 years? That's the kind of thing that figures to completely short-circuit my already addled mind.
