Top News:
Fox Sports:
Dodgers aim to wrap up NL West versus Giants (Sep 22, 2017) — LOS ANGELES — The wobbly Los Angeles Dodgers return home Friday with a chance to clinch a fifth consecutive National League West title, knowing the opportunity to rest some tired regulars is on the horizon.
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies put up fight but fall to Dodgers — The visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park stayed dry of champagne on Thursday afternoon but that was merely a consolation for the Phillies as they fell to the Dodgers, 5-4, and failed to finish a four-game sweep of baseball's best team.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Philly.com:
Improving bullpen vital to Phillies' hope for the future — That streak will end when the Nationals begin a three-game series on Monday against the Phillies. — “I am excited to play in front of some friends and family in Philadelphia,” Doolittle said earlier this month in an interview before a Nationals game in Milwaukee.
Tom Dougherty / UPI:
Los Angeles Dodgers edge Philadelphia Phillies to close in on NL West crown — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies were nine outs away from completing a four-game sweep of the best team in baseball when what has been a strength of late bent Thursday afternoon. — Andre Ethier hit a pinch-hit homer …
ESPN:
Raul Mondesi sentenced on corruption charges in Dominican Republic
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and NESN.com
Tim Keown / ESPN:
You Win Some, You Lose Some … Sunday morning, Dodger Stadium …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Chris Sale becomes 1st AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 strikeout mark — Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws to the Orioles on Sept. 20, 2017. — Chris Sale was at his very best — right down to his momentous last pitch — in another meaningful victory for the Boston Red Sox.
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun and DRaysBay
RELATED:
Josh Land / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles on deck: What to watch Thursday vs. Rays — Orioles manager Buck Showalter talks about Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale after he got his 300th career strikeout during the game. (Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun video) — The Orioles lose to the Red Sox, 9-0. The Red Sox sweep the series.
Cincinnati.com:
BAR: Zack Cozart on fans hit: 'It's crazy to think it doesn't happen more often' — The Blog Above Replacement a daily look at the Reds, their minor leagues and whatever else is on the mind of Enquirer Reds beat writers, C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan.
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Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves ‘not optimistic’ Foltynewicz makes next start — The Braves don't expect Mike Foltynewicz to make his next start Monday in New York. Foltynewicz left his Sept. 14 outing in Washington with a lacerated finger and missed his scheduled start Wednesday.
RELATED:
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Albies in Braves lineup Thursday despite bruised shin — Second baseman Ozzie Albies was hitting second in the Braves' lineup Thursday despite being hit in the left shin by a pitch and exiting in the eighth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Nationals. — Albies had been hit in the same spot recently …
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Carson Fulmer removed in first inning of start vs. Astros with finger blister — Chicago Tribune — White Sox right-hander Carson Fulmer was removed from Thursday's game against the Astros after just 1/3 inning due to a blister on his right index finger. — Fulmer got George Springer to ground out for the first out of the game.
RELATED:
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Abreu reaching select company with historic production
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and South Side Sox
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist out of Cubs lineup vs. Brewers ace Zach Davies — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the upcoming returns of pitchers Jake Arrieta and Hector Rondon and looks ahead to the series at the Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Pedro Moura / The Charlotte Observer:
Angels again fall short against red-hot Indians — ANAHEIM, CALIF. — The Los Angeles Angels have proved they can hang with the American League's best teams. What's still unclear is whether they have enough assembled talent to beat them. — They played another tight …
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Zachary Ripple / New York Daily News:
Rob Manfred says MLB will ‘double our efforts’ to protect fans after young girl hit by foul ball at Yankee Stadium — In the wake of yesterday's terrifying moment at Yankee Stadium, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has finally spoken out. — “The events at yesterday's game involving a young girl …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
The shame of MLB's morally repugnant anti-netting excuses
Discussion:
Sporting News, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, NBCSports.com, Bless You Boys, New York Times, New York Daily News, UPI, ESPN and USA Today
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Terry Collins, Mets considering their options for next season — Terry Collins and the Mets return to Citi Field Friday night to begin the final homestand of the 2017 season with an uncertain future. After seven seasons at the helm, the Mets manager's contract expires after this season …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Elite Sports NY and Amazin' Avenue
Fox Sports:
Zimmermann ready to go as Tigers host Twins (Sep 21, 2017) — DETROIT — Jordan Zimmermann got rid of the pain in his neck, at least on a temporary basis. He will now try to finish an otherwise unpleasant season on an upbeat note. — The Detroit Tigers right-hander will make his first …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, DRaysBay and Twinkie Town
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees' rebuild ahead of schedule as Bombers remain in driver's seat for postseason berth — TORONTO — The Yankees are 14-5 in September and on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs, looking more like an eventual 90-plus-win contender than the 85-win team myself and many others predicted they would be before the season began.
Fox Sports:
Rockies continue wild trip with series vs. Padres (Sep 21, 2017) — SAN DIEGO — The Colorado Rockies roll into San Diego for a four-game series with the Padres starting Thursday, their second soft spot in a six-game trip. — The first turnout in Colorado's West Coast excursion was a disaster, though.
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Nats' Roark looks to continue strong finish vs. Braves (Sep 21, 2017) — ATLANTA — The final starts of the season carry significance for Tanner Roark of the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves' R.A. Dickey, pitchers on different trajectories who face each other Thursday night.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
George Henry / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Nationals rally for 6 runs in 8th to beat Braves
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Aaron Hernandez Found to Have Severe C.T.E. — Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end who committed suicide in April while serving a life sentence for murder, was found to have a severe form of C.T.E., the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma …
Discussion:
NESN.com, The Week, ProFootballTalk and Deadspin
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Orioles have no intention of shopping Manny Machado — The Baltimore Orioles have no intention to shop Manny Machado, though they haven't yet decided whether they will make a second big attempt to lock him up long-term. — Owner Peter Angelos has not yet made the commitment to extend an offer to Machado …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors and Camden Chat
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Rafael Montero allows five runs as Mets are swept by Marlins — MIAMI — Rafael Montero struggled for the second straight start Wednesday when he allowed five runs in four innings in the 9-2 loss to the Marlins at Marlins Park. — Montero (5-11) allowed all five runs with two outs.
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
This is the Rafael Montero the Mets didn't want to resurface
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
