Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB free agency 2017: 12 players who will cause a stir this winter — The enthusiastic anticipation for next year's free agent class has overshadowed a current crop that continues to gather strength as the season winds down. — No, there's not a Bryce Harper or Manny Machado in the group …
RELATED:
USA Today:
MLB playoff picture: Cubs rally late; Dodgers can clinch NL West — The latest on all of Major League Baseball's remaining pennant races, as we sail toward the regular season finales on Oct. 1: — Wednesday's big winner: The Minnesota Twins snapped their mini-slump by beating the Detroit Tigers 12-1.
Fox Sports:
Mariners hope to stay alive against surging Indians (Sep 22, 2017) — SEATTLE — Just as the Seattle Mariners are looking for any break they can muster to remain in the postseason race, they get to welcome one of the hottest teams in baseball history — not the sort of break they needed.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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
Fox Sports:
Nationals, Mets renew rivalry at Citi Field (Sep 22, 2017) — NEW YORK — The standings tell the story of the divergent paths taken this season by the Washington Nationals and New York Mets, the two teams that were expected to battle each other all season for the National League East crown.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Charles Odum / MSNBC:
Dickey baffles Nationals, then talks possible retirement — ATLANTA (AP) R.A. Dickey isn't sure he'll be back with Atlanta in 2018, or even still pitching in the majors, so he took a minute to savor what he said could be the final home start of his career. — The 42-year-old's knuckleball cooperated for a memorable night.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Teary-eyed Dickey: ‘Absolute privilege’ to play for Braves
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Atlanta Braves blog
Fox Sports:
Rangers visit A's with wild-card berth in sight (Sep 22, 2017) — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Texas Rangers hope to use a break in the schedule to creep closer in the American League wild-card picture when they open a three-game series against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
RELATED:
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Chris Tillman is not that uncertain about his uncertain future
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Associated Press
Josh Land / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles on deck: What to watch Thursday vs. Rays
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Tim Bannon / Chicago Tribune:
9 key moments in Cubs' thrilling win over Brewers — Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reacts after the 5-3, 10-inning win over the Brewers on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Milwaukee. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Thursday night's Cubs-Brewers game was a September classic. Here are 9 key moments.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Fox Sports:
Royals visit White Sox with slim playoff hopes in tow (Sep 22, 2017) — CHICAGO — The Kansas City Royals will try to preserve their slim hopes for a wild-card playoff berth when they open a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
RELATED:
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Carson Fulmer removed in first inning of start vs. Astros with finger blister
Discussion:
South Side Sox and The Crawfish Boxes
Larry Millson / UPI:
Kansas City Royals' Jason Vargas silences Toronto Blue Jays for 17th win
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 …
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Padres' Lyles looks to extend Rockies' skid (Sep 22, 2017) — SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres will turn to Jordan Lyles to stifle the Colorado Rockies on Friday. And that reminded San Diego manager Andy Green of a recent conversation he had with catcher Austin Hedges.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Why Detroit Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann saw progress in loss to Twins — This is the reason why Jordan Zimmermann came back. — It's why he didn't just shut it down when it looked like he shouldn't return to the mound this season, in the name of being healthy for 2018.
RELATED:
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Reds lock up Tucker Barnhart through 2021, with a club option for 2022 — The Cincinnati Reds and catcher Tucker Barnhart have agreed to a four-year extension with a fifth-year option, the team announced Friday morning. — The deal guarantees Barnhart $16 million, according to a source.
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Sign Tucker Barnhart To Four-Year Extension
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Red Reporter
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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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
RELATED:
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.
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, Baseball Prospectus and True Blue LA
RELATED:
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Is Craig Kimbrel the best reliever of this decade? — A few months ago, with Craig Kimbrel in the midst of a 15-inning scoreless streak, fellow Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes took stock of the closer's excellence. — “Craig has been this good for, what, six years?” Barnes asked.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
