Top News:
ESPN:
Roberto Osuna says sore shoulder expected to be fine, cites fatigue — Toronto closer Roberto Osuna cited a sore shoulder for his removal in the top of the 10th inning from the Blue Jays' 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Tuesday night's American League wild-card game.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Red Reporter, Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
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Rachel Brady / Globe and Mail:
Orioles' Jones says he and outfielder Kim were targets of racial slurs — Incident happened after a fan threw a beer at Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, Jones said. Blue Jays' officials say they are reviewing the video — Adam Jones says he and fellow Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Todays Knuckleball and baseballmusings.com
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Still Tied — The game between the Orioles and Blue Jays goes to the bottom of the ninth still tied at two. The Blue Jays bullpen pitched three innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out five. The Orioles pen allowed one hit in 3 2/3 innings, with no walks and four strikeouts.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Lone Star Ball
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Rob Manfred says change may be coming to September baseball — TORONTO - Commissioner Rob Manfred, listening to the managerial complaints of baseball's long-standing rule of September call-ups, acknowledged Tuesday that he's in favor of change. — He's not opposed to clubs being permitted …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo Sports
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
After Buck Showalter's Plan Fizzled, Questions: How? Why? Huh? — TORONTO — The moderator said there was time for one more question. The microphone was near me, so I asked for it. I had already asked Buck Showalter three questions, at the start of his postgame news conference late Tuesday, without really getting an answer.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, NBCSports.com, ESPN, USA Today and Camden Chat
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
As Baseball Playoffs Begin, an Issue That Has Not Left the Park
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Associated Press:
Country Hardball in the Big City: Bumgarner vs Syndergaard — NEW YORK — Bright lights, big city, ol' country hardball. — Madison Bumgarner against Noah Syndergaard with the season on the line. A pair of towering tough guys you probably don't want to mess with. — Playoff pitching matchups don't get much better.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo Sports, McCovey Chronicles and Beyond the Box Score
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
No family feud as Cubs await NLDS opponent — Cubs President Theo Epstein talks about the team's simulated game, the NL wild-card game, and the Cubs' playoff roster. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein and many of his top-level …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
MLB average attendance drops 1.1 percent; still 11th-highest — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's average attendance dropped 1.1 percent this season but still was the sport's 11th-highest. — The 30 teams combined to draw 73,159,044 fans and average 30,169, the commissioner's office said Tuesday.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, FenwayNation and baseballmusings.com
Doug Mittler / ESPN:
MLB Rumor Central: Carlos Martinez, Cardinals interested in extension? — Expect the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Carlos Martinez to work on a contract extension in the coming months, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. — “That is the plan …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Viva El Birdos and MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Brad Ausmus Returning as Detroit Tigers' Manager in 2017 — DETROIT — Brad Ausmus will return next year for a fourth season as manager of the Detroit Tigers. — The team announced Wednesday that it is exercising the 2017 option on his contract. Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Cincinnati.com:
Reds' Brandon Phillips: ‘This is where I want to be’ — As Brandon Phillips cleaned out his locker following Sunday's season finale against the Cubs, the Reds' 35-year-old second baseman said he hadn't thought much about his immediate future. — Phillips is entering the last year …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Exercise Ichiro Option, Announce Prado Extension — The Marlins have officially announced that they have exercised the 2017 club option over outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and also added an additional $2MM option year to his deal. Miami also confirmed the previously-reported, three-year extension with third baseman Martin Prado.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
