Top News:
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?
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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.
Discussion:
Ken Davidoff's baseball …
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.
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:With stolen base, Jason Bartlett is America's new taco hero
Discussion:
The Heater, SOX1FAN, Washington Post, Babes Love Baseball, The Big Lead, MLB FanHouse, The 'Ropolitans, Red Sox Monster and Business Wire
Cliff Corcoran / Sports Illustrated:A closer look at the Phillies-Rays Game 2 matchup
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, Bluebird Banter, Washington Post, Babes Love Baseball, Unfiltered, ESPN and Associated Press
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.
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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)
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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
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:GM Melvin probably will stop at three interviews
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Brew Crew Ball, Purple Row, Another Cubs Blog, Boston Globe and Walkoff Walk
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:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, Newsday, River Avenue Blues, MetsBlog.com, St. Petersburg Times, Mets Fever 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
New York Times:
How to Take American Health Care From Worst to First — IN the past decade, baseball has experienced a data-driven information revolution. Numbers-crunchers now routinely use statistics to put better teams on the field for less money. Our overpriced, underperforming health care system needs a similar revolution.
New York Post:
METS TARGET LOWE, FUENTES — ST. PETERSBURG - The Mets plan on targeting Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes in the free agent market, an NL executive who has talked to team officials told the Post. — The Mets are promising to be creative and explore many avenues.
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 …
Toronto Star:
Jays' J.P. Ricciardi keeping his options open — Prepared to trade ‘anybody on our club that would help us get better,’ Ricciardi says — Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is willing to trade “anybody” on his team in an effort to improve ahead of the 2009 season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
