Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Rob Manfred on Utley, sliding rules: ‘Important we protect players’ — CHICAGO — Major League Baseball wants to make changes to its rule on aggressive slides to protect middle infielders, Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday, with hopes of reaching an agreement with the player and umpire unions in time for the 2016 season.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Dodgers Pick Kershaw to Start on 3 Days' Rest in Game 4 — NEW YORK — Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start on three days' rest for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of their playoff series against the New York Mets. — The reigning NL MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner was chosen Monday over fellow left-hander Alex Wood.
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Daily Dish, Dodger Insider and Yahoo Sports
Reuters:
Utley Gets Villain's Welcome From Mets Crowd — NEW YORK — Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley may not be the only ‘villain’ New York Mets fans love to hate. But right now, he's certainly the biggest. — Utley launched himself into the conversation on the team's darkest enemy …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
ESPN:
Chase Utley turned down offer of one-game suspension from MLB
Chase Utley turned down offer of one-game suspension from MLB
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, Metsblog, Bleacher Report and ESPN
Danny Abriano / Metsblog:
NLDS Game 3: Dodgers at Mets, presented by GEICO
NLDS Game 3: Dodgers at Mets, presented by GEICO
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Let's Go Tribe, Red Reporter and Amazin' Avenue
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Chase Utley suspended 2 games for slide into Ruben Tejada, will appeal
Chase Utley suspended 2 games for slide into Ruben Tejada, will appeal
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, FiveThirtyEight, Red Sox Monster, Brew Crew Ball, New York Times and ESPN
Mark Feinsand / New York Daily News:
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says Mets captain David Wright would get away with hard slide
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says Mets captain David Wright would get away with hard slide
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Harvey, Mets Ready for Game 3; Dodgers' Utley Suspended
Harvey, Mets Ready for Game 3; Dodgers' Utley Suspended
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Amazin' Avenue, Baseball Prospectus, Yahoo Sports and Let's Go Tribe
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As Chase Utley debate rages, Cubs' Coghlan doesn't back down: ‘No remorse’
As Chase Utley debate rages, Cubs' Coghlan doesn't back down: ‘No remorse’
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and Chicago
Mark Lamport-Stokes / Reuters:
Cubs Beat Cards to Reach NL Championship Series — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs once again relied on their potent offense as they advanced to the National League Championship Series for the first time in 12 years with a 6-4 victory over the top-seeded St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Out for Game 4 of NLDS: Cardinals' Molina, Cubs' Russell — CHICAGO — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell are out of the lineup for Game 4 of the NL Division Series on Tuesday. — Molina missed the last part of the regular season …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
ESPN:
Yadier Molina scratched from Cardinals' lineup for Game 4 of NLDS — 1h - MLB YADIER MOLINA TONY CRUZ ST. LOUIS CARDINALS CHICAGO CUBS + more
Discussion:
ESPN and Athletics Nation
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mission impossible for Cardinals?
Mission impossible for Cardinals?
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Viva El Birdos, Federal Baseball and Chicago
Associated Press:
Royals Rally on Correa's Error, Beat Astros 9-6 to Even ALDS — HOUSTON — Astros shortstop Carlos Correa couldn't handle a deflected grounder that might have been a double-play ball, helping the Kansas City Royals rally for five runs in the eighth inning to beat Houston 9-6 Monday and force their playoff series to a decisive Game 5.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Talking Chop and Royals Review
RELATED:
Dave Cameron / Fox Sports:
OCTOBER MOMENT: ASTROS LEFT DAZED AFTER THE DOUBLE PLAY THAT WASN'T — After getting a pair of home runs and an RBI double from superstar rookie shortstop Carlos Correa, the Astros took a 6-2 lead into the top of the eighth inning. Protecting a four-run lead with just six outs to go …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and SBNation.com
Associated Press:
Rangers Leaning on Hamels Again in ALDS Game 5 at Toronto — ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have won their last 11 games started by Cole Hamels. — They needed each of those victories to get this far, and their season will be over without another one Wednesday against Toronto in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
John Lott / National Post:
Toronto Blue Jays' R.A. Dickey would be ‘disappointed and sad’ if he doesn't get a chance to pitch in post-season
Toronto Blue Jays' R.A. Dickey would be ‘disappointed and sad’ if he doesn't get a chance to pitch in post-season
Discussion:
Blue Jays Plus
Tim Cowlishaw / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers need Beltre back, Choo, Fielder to show up
Rangers need Beltre back, Choo, Fielder to show up
Discussion:
WFAA-TV, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Lone Star Ball
James Wagner / Washington Post:
Nationals have interest in Bud Black and Ron Wotus; Phil Nevin interviews — The Nationals have interest in former Padres manager Bud Black and Giants longtime bench coach Ron Wotus for their managerial vacancy, according to people familiar with the situation.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
What's good — For years the Rockies have relied on the affordability and experience of Coors Field (and the picturesque surroundings) to avoid the very bottom of the Ultimate Standings, but this year they've dropped from the top 50 in even those categories.
Discussion:
Denver Post and Purple Row
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB — AFTER A SLIDER OF A 2015 SEASON, RELIEF MAY BE COMING IN 2016 FOR ROCKIES — Rockies' bullpen was a disheartening mess this season — The Denver Post — Hope rides on Jairo Diaz's 98-mph fastball, and it gains credence with Adam Ottavino's wicked slider.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
BLAME THE UMP? CUBS MIGHT HAVE LEGIT REASON TO COMPLAIN — I'm not a fan of blaming umpires. But the Cubs' numbers when Phil Cuzzi is the plate umpire are difficult to ignore. — Cuzzi has been behind the plate in four Cubs games this season, including their 4-0 loss to the Cardinals in their Division Series opener Friday night.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven