Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Howard's numbers in clutch are not so valuable — The question concerned Ryan Howard's 0-for-4, three-strikeout showing in Wednesday night's World Series Game 1, and his weak postseason in general. Charlie Manuel sensed bad intentions. — “I said something about it [Wednesday] night.
RELATED:
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
New life for Rays after Game 2 victory — Righty tosses 5 2/3 shutout innings to even Fall Classic — ST. PETERSBURG — “Big Game James” lived up to his nickname Thursday night. — James Shields held the Phillies scoreless for 5 2/3 innings to lead the Rays to a 4-2 win at Tropicana Field …
Associated Press:
Tampa Bay Rays even it up — Phillies bats struggle yet again — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Squeeze plays, a wacky checked swing and a fresh face out of the bullpen. These plucky Tampa Bay Rays pulled out all their tricks at Tropicana Field to tie the World Series.
NY Daily News:
Harper: Phils only clutch own throats after loss in Game 2 of World Series — ST. PETERSBURG - If the Phillies had hit like this in September, the Mets might be playing in this World Series. — Has any World Series team ever come out of a split of Games 1 and 2 feeling worse about itself than these Phillies?
Discussion:
The Griddle
Gordon Edes / Yahoo! Sports:
Lidge is lights out in opener — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The fortunes of the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series have been dependent on their closers. For better and worse. — The enduring memory of the only World Series title in the team's 125-year history is closer Tug McGraw flinging …
Cliff Corcoran / Sports Illustrated:A closer look at the Phillies-Rays Game 2 matchup
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Associated Press, The Good Phight, Bluebird Banter, Washington Post, Unfiltered, Babes Love Baseball and ESPN
Rich Hofmann / Philly.com:
Phillies manager Manuel says Moyer has earned right to start — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It is really simple, Charlie Manuel was saying. You get the impression there was no extended debate, nor should there have been. In an enormous spot, following a maddening loss, he is giving the ball to Jamie Moyer, and that is that.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Could Grace replace Brenly in Cubs booth? — Criticism could hurt odds of returning in TV booth — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Mark Grace is likely to be on the short list of candidates to replace Bob Brenly in the Cubs broadcast booth if Brenly gets the managerial job in Milwaukee.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter (TCR)
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:GM Melvin probably will stop at three interviews
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Another Cubs Blog, Purple Row, Boston Globe and Walkoff Walk
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Friars in no rush to deal ace Peavy — GM Towers will listen to offers, but won't trade righty hastily — SAN DIEGO — There won't be any movement on the Jake Peavy front in the next week or so, though that has nothing to do with the moratorium by the league office on teams making major announcements during the World Series.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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ESPN.com:
GM says Braves' prospects not up for Peavy trade — ATLANTA — General manager Frank Wren insists the Braves won't trade their most valued prospects, apparently not even to bring Jake Peavy to Atlanta. — Speculation about the Braves' interest in Peavy has grown since the San Diego Padres confirmed …
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
World Series: A couple of updates on our local clubs, and a couple of suggested stories — Checking in, before we begin pre-game news conferences and batting practice here at The Trop... - At this point, it would be a shocker if Mike Mussina did not retire.
Discussion:
New York Post, Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, MetsBlog.com, River Avenue Blues, Newsday, Mets Fever, St. Petersburg Times and iYankees
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Davidoff's Latest: Mussina, K-Rod, Manny — By Tim Dierkes [October 23 at 9:02pm CST] — Ken Davidoff of Newsday has some new hot stove info in a blog post. — Davidoff would be shocked if Mike Mussina does not retire. He expects a news conference after the World Series, and gives a 1% margin of error for his prediction.
Discussion:
MagicMets.com
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Batted ball scouting reports — Editor's Note: This article is part of the statistical introduction to the Hardball Times Annual 2009. It is just a glimpse into many of the articles and stats included in this year's volume. More details about the Annual will be published in the next few weeks …
Associated Press:
Selig: Baseball hopes to shorten postseason in '09 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig hopes to shorten the postseason by two or three days next season by eliminating some off days. — MLB shifted the start of the World Series from Saturday to Wednesday beginning last year, adding four extra days off.
