Top News:
Pedro Moura / Los Angeles Times:
Yasmani Grandal responds to his doubters — Dodgers catcher Yasmandi Grandal pumps his fist as Cubs pinch hitter Miguel Montero strikes out in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the NLCS. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) — Between Clayton Kershaw's two starts in the National League division series …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Fox Sports, Wrigleyville, The Sports Quotient, True Blue LA, Halos Heaven, USA Today, NESN.com and Bleacher Nation
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Dodgers' Julio Urias set to be youngest starter in MLB postseason history — LOS ANGELES - As they do before every one of his starts, Julio Urias' parents on Wednesday will say a few prayers asking for his safety and hoping he and his team perform well. — They won't have to plead for their son to remain calm.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, MLB.com and Bleacher Report
USA Today:
Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez refused to stay at Donald Trump's hotel in Chicago — Trump International Hotel and Tower didn't host the Los Angeles Dodgers on their stay in Chicago for Games 1-2 of the National League Championship Series, the skyscraper where the team stayed earlier in the season.
Discussion:
Long Beach Press-Telegram, ESPN, MLB Daily Dish, Bleacher Report, DNAinfo Chicago, Chicago Reader and Amazin' Avenue
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Cubs' John Lackey has plenty of experience and passion to make another postseason start
Cubs' John Lackey has plenty of experience and passion to make another postseason start
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Damian Holbrook / TV Insider:
It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Turns 50 — After five decades, poor Linus Van Pelt is still waiting in that pumpkin patch. Good grief, indeed! — It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Charles Schulz's Peanuts special that turned a gourd into an icon, is honoring its 50th year …
Discussion:
TheFW
ESPN:
MLB wants international draft in new CBA with players — TORONTO — Major League Baseball is pushing for an international draft as a centerpiece of change in the next collective bargaining agreement with the players' association, according to sources familiar with the proposal.
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
MLB Pushing For International Draft In CBA Negotiations
MLB Pushing For International Draft In CBA Negotiations
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Hollywood Reporter:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Glen Powell Teaming for ‘Captain Planet’ Movie (Exclusive) — The ‘Scream Queens’ star and writing partner Jono Matt are in talks to pen the screenplay for Paramount. — Paramount and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions are teaming to recruit Captain Planet to take pollution down to zero.
Discussion:
WSLS-TV, more at WeSmirch »
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Al Avila: ‘Changes are coming’ to the Detroit Tigers — After a short-by-his-standards introduction this afternoon — talking about how the Detroit Tigers fell short of their goal this past season and how they had a good season but not good enough, and how he wasn't happy about missing the postseason …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and Motor City Bengals
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Al Avila: “Changes Are Coming” To Tigers — Tigers GM Al Avila told team reporters in his end-of-year press conference today that the organization will be looking to shake up its approach to roster building this winter. While Avila was largely and understandably vague on specifics …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and MLive.com
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks name Mike Hazen general manager — After years of moves that raised eyebrows around baseball, the Diamondbacks on Sunday made one that left most everyone impressed. By hiring Mike Hazen as their new general manager, they landed a respected, up-and-coming GM away from one of the game's top franchises.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, ESPN, AZ Snake Pit, CBS Boston, NBCSports.com, Nationals Baseball, Halos Heaven and Todays Knuckleball
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Hire Mike Hazen As Executive VP, General Manager
Diamondbacks Hire Mike Hazen As Executive VP, General Manager
Discussion:
Boston Herald, AZ Snake Pit, providencejournal.com, NBCSports.com, Yahoo Sports, Bless You Boys and Al's Ramblings
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Golden age of relievers carries Cleveland Indians to within one win of World Series — TORONTO - This is a dangerous time to be a starting pitcher for the Indians. It might be a line drive back to the mound that breaks a hand, a strained forearm or an unexpected drone attack.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Fish Stripes, Bless You Boys and baseballmusings.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Kenley Jansen finds relief in role as Dodgers' closer — The big righty has matured and become a late-inning force — CHICAGO — It was a running gag with the Dodgers earlier this season. They would stretch a three-run lead to four, eliminate a save situation, then rush to the bullpen monitor …
Discussion:
Todays Knuckleball, Pinstripe Alley, Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers managed to walk their way into trouble
Dodgers managed to walk their way into trouble
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Talking Chop and MLB Daily Dish
Burke Badenhop / MLB Trade Rumors:
A Look Beyond The Tim Tebow Signing — Burke Badenhop made his Major League debut on April 9, 2008 when he tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Marlins. In the eight years that followed, he pitched 512 1/3 innings of 3.74 ERA ball with the Marlins, Rays, Brewers, Red Sox and Reds.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, NESN.com, Full Count, USA Today and NBCSports.com
CBS Local Sports:
Interview With James Ellsworth, WWE's Most Unlikely Star — It's around 3 o'clock Monday afternoon. James Ellsworth, WWE's most unlikely star, is sitting in a Baltimore airport waiting to board a plane headed for Denver. In a little over 24 hours he'll be wrestling for the WWE World Championship.
Discussion:
Cageside Seats, WrestlingInc.com Pro … and Pro Wrestling Dot Net