Top News:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Francona hired by Indians — The Cleveland Indians have hired former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, sources have told FOXSports.com. — The Indians are likely to annouce the hiring on Monday. — Francona, who led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, will replace Manny Acta.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB, baseballmusings.com, Baseball Nation and Yahoo! Sports
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Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
When it comes to regrets, these baseball GMs have a few — Regrets, sometimes general managers have a few. — What they wish they had thought of in November, December, and January that would have made their lives so much easier in August and September. — Ben Cherington wishes …
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians, Terry Francona discussing 4-year managerial deal — CLEVELAND, Ohio — It's believed the Indians are close to signing Terry Francona to a four-year contract to be their manager. — Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com reported earlier today that the Indians have signed Francona as their new manager.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Baseball Nation
Associated Press:
Justin Verlander overpowers A's in Detroit's 3-1 win — DETROIT — Justin Verlander allowed a home run to the first batter of the game — and quickly shrugged it off. — This hard-throwing ace doesn't usually hit his stride until a bit later. — Verlander shut down Oakland after that early slip …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Bless You Boys, Athletics Nation, MLB, Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
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TSN.ca:
Fister, Tigers try to take commanding lead against A's — The Sports Network — (Sports Network) - Justin Verlander was terrific for the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Today, they try to take a commanding lead to Oakland when they play Game 2 against the Athletics at Comerica Park.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Athletics and Tigers turn things around quickly with a noon EDT start on Sunday, Tommy Milone taking on Doug Fister. Milone is not in a good situation in Detroit. His 24 home runs allowed in 190 innings is high, but 18 of those came in 91 1/3 innings on the road.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Paul Newberry / Globe and Mail:
Cardinals beat Braves in disputed one-game playoff — David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals rediscovered their postseason touch. Chipper Jones and the Braves kept throwing the ball away. And the Atlanta fans turned Turner Field into a trash heap. — They said anything could happen in baseball's first wild-card playoff.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Bless You Boys, New Jersey Online and Yahoo! Sports
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R.J. Anderson / Baseball Prospectus:
NL Wild Card Game Recap: Cardinals 6, Braves 3
Discussion:
Hit and Run, Federal Baseball, Viva El Birdos and Athletics Nation
Matthew Pouliot / HardballTalk:
Umpires stand by Sam Holbrook's infield-fly rule call
Discussion:
Fox Sports, DRaysBay and Al's Ramblings
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Infield Fly? — With men on fist and second with one out …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Globe and Mail:
Reds lead Giants despite losing Johnny Cueto — Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homer off San Francisco' Matt Cain and the Cincinnati Reds led the Giants 2-0 after three innings of their NL division series opener Saturday night despite losing ace Johnny Cueto to a back injury after eight pitches.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Baseball Prospectus, McCovey Chronicles, baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
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Globe and Mail:
Reds lose Johnny Cueto in Game 1 against Giants — Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto left his Game 1 start against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night in the first inning because of back spasms. — The Red said he is day to day. The right-hander threw a second strike to No. 2 hitter Marco Scutaro …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
N.L.D.S.: Reds' Baker to Try to Close Out Former Team
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Baseball Prospectus and Red Reporter
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
No decision on Rockies manager Jim Tracy expected now until next week — Karl Gehring/The Denver Post (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post) — Following a sweeping evaluation and meeting that spanned several hours Friday, the Rockies will not have a decision on Jim Tracy's future until Monday at the earliest, according to a team source.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Source: Mets eye quickie deals for Wright & Dickey — Sandy Alderson's definition of “quickly,” when it comes to David Wright's and R.A Dickey's future with the Mets, could mean before the first pitch of the World Series is even thrown. — The Mets general manager made it clear earlier …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and Metsblog
TSN.ca:
Washington returns to playoffs against Cards in Game 1 — The Sports Network — (Sports Network) - The District of Columbia hasn't seen a World Series title since Walter Johnson and the Senators defeated the New York Giants in 1924. — The Washington Nationals hope to change that …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals' only real offseason priority is to improve their rotation — What looms as a defining offseason for the Royals is already taking shape even as, elsewhere this weekend, Major League Baseball swings through the opening stages of its annual October drama.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
