Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox Drop 3rd Straight, 5-3 Loss to Indians — CLEVELAND (AP) — Before his team's game against Cleveland, Boston manager Bobby Valentine expressed confidence that the Red Sox were ready to make a run at the playoffs. — Asked why he held that opinion, Valentine said, “We're due.”
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Boston Globe
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Ubaldo Jimenez Pitches Indians Past Red Sox 5-3 — CLEVELAND (AP) — Ubaldo Jimenez struck out a season-high 10 for his first win in more than a month and the Cleveland Indians beat Boston 5-3 on Thursday night, handing the Red Sox their seventh loss in nine games.
Discussion:
Boston Herald and ESPN
Justin Albers / MLB.com:
Bailey takes step forward, close to returning — CLEVELAND — Injured reliever Andrew Bailey pitched well in back-to-back appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday and Thursday, and he may be nearing a return to the big leagues. — Bailey allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of work on Thursday afternoon.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Billy Butler helps Royals top O's to spoil Manny Machado's debut — BALTIMORE — Billy Butler came within a single of hitting for the cycle, and the Kansas City Royals beat Baltimore 8-2 on Thursday night to end the Orioles' five-game winning streak and take the luster off Manny Machado's impressive major league debut.
Discussion:
Royals Review, Yahoo! Sports, MLB and Associated Press
RELATED:
Canadian Press:
Moore sharp for six as Rays sweep Blue Jays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Moore pitched six sharp innings and Jose Lobaton drove in three runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 Thursday for a three-game sweep. — Tampa Bay has won 16 straight series against Toronto at Tropicana Field.
Discussion:
Globe and Mail, Associated Press, DRaysBay, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Blue Jays: Brett Lawrie might join Jose Bautista on DL: Griffin
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Amaro doesn't have many options at third for Phillies in 2013 — When Ruben Amaro Jr. recently engaged a few of his rival general managers in discussions, the topic of third base arose, and they all reached one conclusion: It is a difficult position to fill. — “Somebody's going to play there,” Amaro said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Soriano's HR lifts Cubs over slumping Reds 5-3 — CHICAGO—Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and the Chicago Cubs snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the slumping Cincinnati Reds on a rain-soaked Thursday night. — With the score tied at 3 …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Teixeira, Chavez HRs Help Yankees Top Tigers 4-3 — DETROIT (AP) — Mark Teixeira and Eric Chavez hit solo home runs on consecutive pitches in the eighth inning that put New York ahead, and the Yankees held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3 Thursday. — Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Bless You Boys and Associated Press
Andrew Simon / MLB.com:
Playoffs open with inaugural Wild Card games Oct. 5 — Major League Baseball on Thursday announced the schedule for its revamped postseason, which will open on Friday, Oct. 5, with the inaugural Wild Card games and run through the 108th World Series, set to get under way on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Lone Star Ball and SI Tracking Blog
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees unsure of Pettitte return date — DETROIT — With Ivan Nova getting spanked the past two outings and Freddy Garcia failing to provide consistent length, the Yankees' rotation requires a boost. — That is expected to be supplied by Andy Pettitte, but general manager Brian Cashman …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Sliding Into Home
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Dodgers' Abreu accepts assignment to minors — Bobby Abreu has cleared waivers and accepted a minor-league assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the veteran outfielder's agent said Thursday. — The Dodgers designated Abreu for assignment last week to create a spot on the roster …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Associated Press
Jordan Bastian / Associated Press:
Pitching coach Radinsky dismissed; Niebla interim — Indians' starting pitching has fared poorly, contributing to difficult season — Scott Radinsky (center) was in his first season as pitching coach of the Indians. — CLEVELAND — The Indians' prolonged and persistent struggles …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
