Top News:
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Justin Verlander gives up 2-run HR to first batter in first career relief appearance — BOSTON — Desperate to avoid a winner-take-all Game 5 in this American League Division Series, the Houston Astros asked ace Justin Verlander to do something Monday that he hadn't done as a professional or in college.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Gethin Coolbaugh / UPI:
ALDS: Houston Astros close out Boston Red Sox in four games, advance to ALCS — BOSTON — The Houston Astros clinched their first trip to the American League Championship Series with a 5-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of their AL Division Series on a rainy Monday afternoon at Fenway Park.
Associated Press:
Edwin Encarnacion out of Indians' Game 4 lineup with ankle injury — NEW YORK — Edwin Encarnacion remained out of the Cleveland Indians' lineup Monday night in Game 4 of their American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. — The slugger has been sidelined since leaving Game 2 on Friday with a sprained right ankle.
ESPN:
Your guide to Monday's LDS games: Can Red Sox, Yankees and D-backs extend their postseasons? — Is Columbus Day one of those official holidays in which you don't have to go to work? If you're a baseball fan, it doesn't matter: You're finding a way to skip work or leave early. Quadruple-header, baby!
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge's strikeouts forcing him to walk fine line of arguing umpires' calls — Aaron Judge hasn't been able to mash against the Tribe. — Judge was 0-for-10 with eight strikeouts in the ALDS heading into Game 4 on Monday night in the Bronx. — The 25-year-old rookie has taken …
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Alex Butler / UPI:
Aaron Judge: New York Yankees OF robs home run in ALDS win
Aaron Judge: New York Yankees OF robs home run in ALDS win
Discussion:
New York Post and MLB.com
Chris Chavez / SI.com:
Joe Girardi on Yankees' Future After Contract: ‘Whatever Happens, Happens’
Joe Girardi on Yankees' Future After Contract: ‘Whatever Happens, Happens’
Discussion:
Newsweek, Pinstripe Alley and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
WKYC-TV:
WATCH: New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge robs Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor of home run
WATCH: New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge robs Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor of home run
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and FanRag Sports
Grant Brisbee / SBNation.com:
Yankees stay alive, win tense pitcher's duel against Indians
Yankees stay alive, win tense pitcher's duel against Indians
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Let's Go Tribe, FanRag Sports and baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jon Jay starts, Javier Baez on bench for NLDS Game 3 — Chicago Cubs outfielder Jon Jay. — Jon Jay will make his first start of the postseason Monday and Javier Baez will sit as the Chicago Cubs face Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field.
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Zach LaVine among Cubs VIPs expected for Game 3; Bill Murray to sing the stretch — The next wave of famous Cubs followers includes Roy Wood Jr. and Elisabeth Moss. — Chicago Tribune — Zach LaVine may get a taste of Chicago's playoff atmosphere if the new Bulls guard attends Game 3 …
ESPN:
Indians name Trevor Bauer starter for Game 4 despite short rest
Indians name Trevor Bauer starter for Game 4 despite short rest
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and Associated Press
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
NLDS Game 3 starters: Jose Quintana vs. Max Scherzer
NLDS Game 3 starters: Jose Quintana vs. Max Scherzer
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs prepared to pull out all the stops against Nationals ace Max Scherzer
Cubs prepared to pull out all the stops against Nationals ace Max Scherzer
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
George A. King III / New York Post:
Derek Jeter swoops in and poaches longtime Yankees exec … Yankees VP of Player Development Gary Denbo is leaving the organization to work with Derek Jeter and the Marlins, according to a person close to the situation. — Denbo, who managed Jeter in the low minors and was the Yankees' hitting coach …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, River Avenue Blues, FanRag Sports and CBS Miami
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ownership in Derek Jeter's long-range vision, says Cubs coach Mike Borzello — Marlins CEO Derek Jeter speaks during a news conference Oct. 3, 2017, in Miami. — The seeds for Deter Jeter to run a major league baseball team started as early as at least 1996, according to Cubs coach Mike Borzello.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia will start Game 5 of ALDS for Yankees vs. Indians if necessary — CC Sabathia will get the ball for the Bombers in Game 5, if necessary, Joe Girardi said. — The 37-year-old lefty was effective in Game 2, and the Yankees like his experience. — Sonny Gray, who struggled in Game 1 …
ESPN:
Roberts' return to L.A. “was meant to be” — “All men are created equal”, in one sense, but all men have different characteristics and qualities. The good leader knows how to handle each individual player. — The Dodger Way To Play Baseball, 1954, by Al Campanis.
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Pedro Moura / Los Angeles Times:
Zack Greinke eyes third elimination-game start against Dodgers
Zack Greinke eyes third elimination-game start against Dodgers
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters lead star-studded postseason roster
Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters lead star-studded postseason roster
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Brad Ausmus on Mets radar to replace Collins — NEW YORK - Brad Ausmus, who was let go by the Detroit Tigers following their last-place finish, is on the radar of the New York Mets and is in fact said to be a candidate to replace Terry Collins. The Mets have reached out to Ausmus and they've had one conversation to date.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, NBCSports.com, CBS New York, Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
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Alex Butler / UPI:
Bryce Harper: Washington Nationals star crushed a game-tying HR vs. Chicago Cubs — Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper came through in the clutch Sunday, hitting a game-tying home run against the Chicago Cubs. — And he crushed it. — The Nationals trailed the Cubs 3-1 in the top …
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and USA Today
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Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Cubs vs. Nats NLDS: Did Joe Maddon make the wrong call in eighth inning of Game 2?
Cubs vs. Nats NLDS: Did Joe Maddon make the wrong call in eighth inning of Game 2?
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and CBS Chicago
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
World Series Game 7 hero Mike Montgomery not done making memories for Cubs
World Series Game 7 hero Mike Montgomery not done making memories for Cubs
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Breaking down the Detroit Tigers' arbitration-eligible players — The Detroit Tigers have nine arbitration-eligible players this off-season: rightfielder Nick Castellanos, right-handed relievers Shane Greene, Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson, left-handed reliever Blaine Hardy, shortstop Jose Iglesias …
Mark Weiner / Syracuse Post-Standard:
New York Mets will buy Syracuse Chiefs, bring its Triple-A team to Syracuse — The New York Mets have reached an agreement to buy the Syracuse Chiefs and make the International League baseball team its top minor league affiliate, according to two sources briefed about the deal.
Discussion:
Ballpark Digest, Amazin' Avenue and FanRag Sports
UPI:
Minnesota Twins sign manager Paul Molitor through 2020 season after historic turnaround — The Minnesota Twins signed manager Paul Molitor to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Monday. — Molitor, who was named as the Twins' manager in November 2014, will remain with the club through the 2020 season.