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.
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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:
Associated Press, Washington Post, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, Bluebird Banter, Unfiltered, Babes Love Baseball and ESPN
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:With stolen base, Jason Bartlett is America's new taco hero
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Heater, SOX1FAN, The Big Lead, MLB FanHouse, Babes Love Baseball and The 'Ropolitans
Ken Tremendous / FIRE JOE MORGAN:Irrelevant/Counter-Irrelevant — It's time to play no-one's favorite …
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 …
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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.
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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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.
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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
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.
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you are looking for.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
