Top News:
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Kazmir will start Game 5 — In a surprising move, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced this morning that he will start Scott Kazmir in Thursday's Game 5 of the ALCS at Fenway Park. — James Shields, who was originally scheduled to pitch Game 5, has been bumped back to Game 6.
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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, Washington Post, Red Sox Monster, Baseball Musings and SOX & Dawgs
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.
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Up against a youthful dream team — If patriotism is supposed to be the last refuge for scoundrels, then referencing history is the last refuge for shocked fans who have just seen their team fall behind, three games to one, in an American League Championship Series.
John Perrotto / Unfiltered:ALCS Game 4 pre-game tidbits
Discussion:
Boston Globe, THE BASEBALL SAVANT, SOX & Dawgs, 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 …
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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.
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.”
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
ESPN:
Griffey has left knee surgery, performed by Reds' team doctor — Chicago White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. on Tuesday had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which bothered him for most of the 2008 season. — The surgery was performed by Cincinnati Reds' team doctor.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
George A. King III / New York Post:
RANDOLPH OPEN TO COACHING RETURN — COULD REPLACE MEACHAM WITH YANKEES — BOSTON — The Yankees need a third-base coach, and Willie Randolph needs a job. — So the chance is there for the former Mets manager to return to The Bronx. — In a move that shows the honeymoon between Joe Girardi …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, NJ.com, Hardball, iYankees, MLB.com, NY Daily News, River Avenue Blues, Sliding Into Home and YanksBlog.com
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