Top News:
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: Cardinals 6, Braves 3 — In an unfortunate turn of events, the first-ever Wild Card Game, and official 2012 postseason opener, will be known for an umpire's call rather than the competitive and exciting play between two good teams. — The call happened in the eighth inning.
Discussion:
Hit and Run, Athletics Nation, Federal Baseball and Viva El Birdos
Matthew Pouliot / HardballTalk:
Umpires stand by Sam Holbrook's infield-fly rule call
Umpires stand by Sam Holbrook's infield-fly rule call
Discussion:
DRaysBay and Al's Ramblings
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Infield Fly? — With men on fist and second with one out …
Infield Fly? — With men on fist and second with one out …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Uggla Play — Dan Uggla may have made the worst play I have seen.
Uggla Play — Dan Uggla may have made the worst play I have seen.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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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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
MLB:
Francona excited about chance to lead Indians — CLEVELAND — A year away from managing has been enough for Terry Francona, who craves a chance to get back on the field and back inside a major league clubhouse. — The Cleveland Indians just might put him there.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Associated Press, Boston Globe, Red Sox Monster and NESN.com
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:
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
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, Metsblog, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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:
Athletics Nation, MLB and Associated Press
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Mets Seeking Banks' Help With Heavy Debt — The Mets, whose financial woes have included steep losses, burdensome debt and an expensive showdown with the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff, are talking to banks to find a way to raise cash, according to two people with knowledge of their plans.
Darren Rovell / MLB:
Tigers' Cabrera embracing Triple Crown frenzy — After securing the Triple Crown on the final game of the season, Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has been cashing in. — He gets a piece of the pie from commemorative Triple Crown shirts, coins and photos and, on Friday night …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and NESN.com
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Twins shake up coaching staff for next season — Steve Liddle had been with the Twins since 1987, the last two seasons as their third-base coach. (Getty) — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins shook up their coaching staff on Thursday, as they did not offer 2013 contacts to bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and AaronGleeman.com
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