Top News:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon errs in assuming Rays will be in Series — Figuring his Rays are shoo-ins for Series has feel of grotesque error — Joe Maddon has made few missteps this fall. But the Tampa Bay Rays' manager made a doozy in the aftermath of the Boston Red Sox's late-inning resurrection Thursday night at Fenway Park.
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Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Rays Lost a Game, but Not Their Confidence — BOSTON — Joe Maddon wanted this. Not the forehead-smacking, Red Sox-rousting defeat, of course — the 8-7 loss at Fenway Park early Friday morning that sent his Tampa Bay Rays back home for a precarious Game 6 Saturday night.
Harvey Araton / New York Times:
Room for a Longtime Yankees Fan at Fenway — In the house for the late-night miracle of Fenway on Thursday night into Friday morning were Mystique and Aura on a traitorous visit from the Bronx, along with a longtime Yankees fan in a Red Sox cap, in cahoots with a delirious Nation …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays: ALCS Game 5 loss to Red Sox is forgotten — James Shields prepares for his start in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series, the first of two chances at home the Rays have to advance to the World Series. — Times] — ST. PETERSBURG — The route was not the one they would have chosen given …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Associated Press, Baseball Musings, Baseball Prospectus, SOX & Dawgs and Fenway West
Chris Forsberg / Boston Globe:
A can't-lose situation? — For those Sox fans who take comfort in statistical patterns that suggest a Boston victory, we offer this tidbit from the Sox' PR staff in their notes before tonight's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series: — SERIES AT 2-3: This is the eighth …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Peavy unlikely to go to Astros — Dodgers, Braves likely front-runners for right-hander — HOUSTON — Jake Peavy became the hottest name on the trade market before the World Series has even started, but it's possible that his future destination could be decided well ahead of the official start of the Hot Stove season.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves preparing a pitch for Peavy — Team has talked with Padres to assess trade parameters — ATLANTA — Braves general manager Frank Wren might not have to find his ace by spending top dollar on the free-agent market, but that seemingly depends on what the Padres decide to do with Jake Peavy.
Bronx Banter:Bronx Banter: Adjourned
Discussion:
BASEBALL HOT CORNER, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bottom9 Baseball, YFSF and River Avenue Blues
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
GM says Brewers plan to make offer to Sabathia … Doug Melvin, who agreed to a three-year extension this week to remain as general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, said Saturday that the Brewers will make an offer to pitcher CC Sabathia, who will be eligible for free agency after the World Series.
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ESPN.com:
Yankee Stadium artifacts slow to sell in auction — NEW YORK — Not even Yankee pride can overcome the poor economy. — The last ball hit out of Yankee Stadium didn't leave the auction block Saturday in a memorabilia auction celebrating Bronx Bombers history.
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Bloopers — Is anyone else seeing a blooper show on TBS right now instead of the pre-game show? — Update: I just talked to DirecTV and it does not appear to be a DirecTV problem. I take it people who have cable can't see the game either? — Update: The game isn't being broadcast, but starts anyway.
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
ESPN.com:
Backe's lawyer files complaint to FBI over arrest — The attorney for Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe, one of 10 people arrested this month during a brawl at a wedding reception, alleged in a complaint to the FBI that Galveston police violated his clients' civil rights.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Tatis up for comeback award — Mets left fielder Fernando Tatis is one of three candidates for the National League Comeback Player of the Year award being handed out by Topps and the Major League Baseball Players Association. — Tatis, who came out of nowhere to hit .297 with 11 homers …
John Torenli / MLB.com:
Sutton stays hot for Scorpions — Astros prospect goes 2-for-3 with homer, three runs scored — Astros outfield prospect Drew Sutton continued his torrid hitting in the Arizona Fall League on Friday, going 2-for-3 with a homer and three runs scored as the Scottsdale Scorpions cruised to a 7-3 victory over the Peoria Javelinas.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
