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Fox Sports:
Yankees still have regular-season goals while visiting Toronto (Sep 22, 2017) — TORONTO — The New York Yankees have virtually assured themselves a spot in the American League wild-card game, probably as hosts. — They could avoid that one-game playoff, however, by winning the American League East …
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Fox Sports:
Rays, Orioles cling to slim playoff hopes (Sep 22, 2017) — BALTIMORE — Both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles are mathematically alive in the American League wild-card race. — Their four-game series could keep one team on that path while knocking the other out of the running.
Todd Karpovich / UPI:
Baltimore Orioles right off Tampa Bay Rays behind rookie pitcher — BALTIMORE — Rookie Gabriel Ynoa allowed one run over a season-high eight innings, Manny Machado hit his 33rd homer, and the Baltimore Orioles took the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 victory Thursday night.
Fox Sports:
Cubs rally in 9th, beat Brewers 5-3 in 10th to extend lead (Sep 21, 2017) — MILWAUKEE (AP) The pressure was on and Javier Baez delivered for the Chicago Cubs. — Baez grounded a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Cubs widened …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist out of Cubs lineup vs. Brewers ace Zach Davies
Ben Zobrist out of Cubs lineup vs. Brewers ace Zach Davies
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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 …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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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.
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MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Tim Keown / ESPN:
You Win Some, You Lose Some … Sunday morning, Dodger Stadium …
You Win Some, You Lose Some … Sunday morning, Dodger Stadium …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
UPI:
Cincinnati Reds to extend netting to end of dugouts — The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that the protective netting at Great American Ball Park will be extended to the end of both dugouts after the season. — The Reds' announcement mentioned that the additional netting …
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Helene Elliott / Los Angeles Times:
Column It's time now for major league teams to expand netting to protect fans as much as possible — The television is almost always on in baseball clubhouses, though players rarely do more than glance at the screen while they go about their pregame routines.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Detroit Free Press and Deadspin
USA Today:
San Diego Padres will extend netting at Petco Park for 2018 season — The San Diego Padres released a statement indicating they will proceed with a months-long plan to install additional netting to the end of each dugout at Petco Park. — The project will take place in the offseason …
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.
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MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Chris Sale becomes 1st AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 strikeout mark
Chris Sale becomes 1st AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 strikeout mark
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Baltimore Sun, South Side Sox, DRaysBay and Surviving Grady
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Chris Tillman is not that uncertain about his uncertain future
Chris Tillman is not that uncertain about his uncertain future
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Has DeShields raced his way into Rangers' 2018 lineup? — SEATTLE — Carlos Gomez, bad ankle and all, finally talked himself back into the Texas Rangers' lineup Thursday, though it helped that a left-hander was pitching for the Seattle Mariners. — Gomez, who hadn't started since Sept. 9 …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' two best relievers unavailable for finale vs. Mariners — SEATTLE — With their bullpen a problem all season, things weren't going to be any better Thursday night for the Texas Rangers. — Manager Jeff Banister declared before the game that left-handers Alex Claudio and Jake Diekman …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Jordan Zimmermann struggles in return, Detroit Tigers offense silent — The Tigers were blown out again Thursday night. — They lost to the Minnesota Twins, 12-1, at Comerica Park. It marked the seventh time this month the Tigers have allowed double-digit runs.
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Rich Shook / UPI:
Joe Mauer powers Minnesota Twins in rout Detroit Tigers — DETROIT — Joe Mauer highlighted a group of four players with two RBIs apiece as the Minnesota Twins improved their lead in the battle for the second American League wild-card spot with a 12-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.
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.
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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.
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New York Daily News:
Yankee Stadium incident has local politicians, MLB pushing Bombers to extend protective netting — The young girl struck in the face by a foul ball at Wednesday's Yankees game remained hospitalized one day later at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in Manhattan.
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Fox Sports:
Cardinals continue climb with visit to Pirates (Sep 22, 2017) — PITTSBURGH — The St. Louis Cardinals have a short, steep climb if they are going to push their way into the playoffs. — Next up is a club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, that could be spoilers after they got a confidence shot in their last game.
Joe Haakenson / UPI:
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians belt Los Angeles Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. — It does not seem to matter who they are playing, where they are playing or even who is in the lineup. The Cleveland Indians just keep winning. — Indians manager Terry Francona gave regular starters Jose Ramirez …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and South Side Sox
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, Sporting News, MLB Daily Dish, Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors
Guy Curtright / UPI:
R.A. Dickey, Atlanta Braves baffle Washington Nationals — ATLANTA — Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey got back on track after a rough three-start stretch and in the process snapped a five-game losing streak to the Washington Nationals dating to 2012. — Dickey allowed four hits and walked none …
Larry Millson / UPI:
Kansas City Royals' Jason Vargas silences Toronto Blue Jays for 17th win — TORONTO — Jason Vargas pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, Melky Cabrera had three hits and an RBI, and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 on Thursday night. — The Royals (75-77) …