Top News:
Fox Sports:
LEADING OFF: Harper back for Nats? Red Sox, Cubs close in — A look at what's happening all around the majors Monday: — READY OR NOT — Nationals slugger Bryce Harper could come off the disabled list and return to the lineup in Philadelphia. “We're still trying to make up our minds,” manager Dusty Baker said Sunday.
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USA Today:
MLB playoff picture: Diamondbacks clinch; Cubs closing in on NL Central title — The latest on all of Major League Baseball's remaining pennant races, as we sail toward the regular-season finales on Oct. 1: — Sunday's big winner: The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated their National League wild card berth …
Associated Press:
Nationals edge Mets to clinch NLDS home field — NEW YORK (AP) — With a pair of top pitchers going toe-to-toe on the mound, this one felt like a low-scoring playoff game. And that's exactly what the Washington Nationals are getting ready for. — Max Scherzer struck out 10 …
Discussion:
Washington Post and Faith and Fear in Flushing
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Nationals plan to activate Bryce Harper on Monday after he missed last 40 games — NEW YORK — Barring a last-minute setback, the Washington Nationals will activate Bryce Harper ahead of Monday's game in Philadelphia, according to people familiar with the situation.
Discussion:
Washington Times, baseballmusings.com, Federal Baseball, Deadspin and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
What has changed for the Dodgers and Indians? Nothing — and everything — Every sports league deals with the challenge of making the final weeks and months of its regular season seem relevant for as many teams as possible. They do this by offering various incentives — playoff spots …
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Fox Sports:
Kershaw wins 18th, Grandal powers Dodgers past Giants 3-1 (Sep 24, 2017) — LOS ANGELES (AP) In a couple of months, Clayton Kershaw might need to make some room at home for a fourth NL Cy Young Award. — Kershaw became the first 18-game winner in the majors, pitching eight stingy innings …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Fox Sports:
Dodgers hope for good outing from Darvish vs. Padres (Sep 25, 2017) — LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Dodgers dust themselves off and prepare for another playoff run, things are beginning to fall into place. — The National League West champions have won three of four after a prolonged 5-20 stretch …
Associated Press:
Postseason field almost set, but HR chases providing drama — It was a rough weekend for any fans hoping for some final-week excitement in the postseason races. — The Nationals, Indians, Dodgers and Astros ran away with their divisions a while ago, but one division that was still in play …
Fox Sports:
Marlins' Stanton aims to boost homer total at Colorado (Sep 25, 2017) — DENVER — Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton will continue his quest to hit at least 60 home runs Monday when Miami faces the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, where he has a robust history.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
With AL East hopes in doubt, Yankees need to start preparing for wild-card matchup vs. Twins — TORONTO — The Yankees remain mathematically alive in the AL East, but given that they trail the Red Sox by five games in the standings with just seven games left in the regular season, it hardly feels that way.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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Jeff Wallner / UPI:
Mookie Betts' three-run double rallies Boston Red Sox past Cincinnati Reds
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees fall apart as playoff fate becomes inevitable
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, Bleacher Report and Pinstripe Alley
Fox Sports:
Cubs close in on NL Central title, Quintana tops Brewers 5-0 (Sep 24, 2017) — MILWAUKEE (AP) Jose Quintana pitched a three-hitter for his second big league shutout, and the Chicago Cubs beat Milwaukee 5-0 Sunday to close in on a second straight NL Central title and damage the Brewers' playoff hopes.
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB plans to add augmented reality to ‘At Bat’ app — SAN FRANCISCO - Chad Evans points his iPad to the AT&T Park field and suddenly photos of the visiting Colorado Rockies fielders pop up on his screen, each next to the image of the actual player. — When Evans taps on one of the pictures …
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ESPN:
Marlins still feel loss of Jose Fernandez one year after the light turned off — Jose Fernandez's knack for connecting with children was one of his greatest gifts. The people who spent time around him at the ballpark each day recall the smiles he elicited over the dugout roof and the buzz …
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Indians still sizzling down the stretch — With a week left after 25 played, the Indians are still on top almost any way you want to count it — like expected wins (105 according to our own expected win-loss record) and in our rankings, but they have six games left …
NorthJersey.com:
Mets notes: Nimmo continues to hit — NEW YORK — Brandon Nimmo turned on the power again at Citi Field Sunday, reaching the first row of the second deck in right with a solo shot in the first against two-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. — It was the fifth home run for a player who's auditioning …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Jack Magruder / UPI:
Arizona Diamondbacks beat Miami Marlins, clinch top MLB wild-card spot — PHOENIX — Outfielder J.D. Martinez has been a key cog in Arizona's success since arriving July 18, so perhaps it was fitting that his walk-off single on Sunday guaranteed the Diamondbacks a home wild-card game.
Fox Sports:
Young Athletics open final home series vs. Mariners (Sep 25, 2017) — OAKLAND, Calif. — The rebuilding Oakland Athletics are still stuck in the American League West cellar, but they will take some momentum into their final home series of the season against the Seattle Mariners.
