Top News:
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Astros beat Red Sox 5-4 in Game 4, advance to ALCS — The Astros' Yuli Gurriel hugs Alex Bregman, right, as teammates swarm closing pitcher Ken Giles, left, while celebrating their 5-4 win over the Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Boston.
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USA Today:
Astros win intense-laden game over Red Sox, advance to first AL Championship Series — BOSTON - It was a move that seemed borne of desperation at the time. But it turned out to be the move that delivered the ALDS-clinching win to the Houston Astros, who beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, in Game 4 at Fenway Park Monday afternoon.
USA Today:
Promising season ends with bitter taste for Boston Red Sox — BOSTON — It was a season that started out with so much promise — and even higher expectations. Acquiring left-hander Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox in December in exchange for four prospects was supposed to deliver the ultimate prize to the Boston Red Sox.
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.
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
UPI:
ALDS: Cleveland Indians DH Edwin Encarnacion out of lineup vs. New York Yankees — NEW YORK — Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion was not in the starting lineup Monday for Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees due to a sprained right ankle.
Gethin Coolbaugh / UPI:
ALDS: Houston Astros close out Boston Red Sox in four games, advance to ALCS
Gethin Coolbaugh / UPI:
ALDS: Boston Red Sox stay alive with win over Houston Astros
ALDS: Boston Red Sox stay alive with win over Houston Astros
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Dusty Baker plays 2 late-inning hunches vs. Cubs; both fail — CHICAGO — A town that already held bad playoff memories for Dusty Baker found a way to torment him again. — The Washington Nationals manager sat down in the interview room to explain two late-inning pitching changes that went south.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
NLDS Game 4 starter Jake Arrieta to savor what could be his final games as a Cub — Cubs starter Jake Arrieta discusses his hamstring injury, the Nationals' Trea Turner and his future with the team on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Zach LaVine among Cubs VIPs expected for Game 3; Bill Murray to sing the stretch
Zach LaVine among Cubs VIPs expected for Game 3; Bill Murray to sing the stretch
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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Chicago Tribune
Mike Puma / New York Post:
The Mets are open to pouncing on Joe Girardi … The Mets are keeping surveillance across town in their search for a new manager. — With Joe Girardi unsigned beyond this season, and questions looming about his future, the Yankee manager's name has surfaced in recent discussions by Mets officials …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
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Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Matt Holliday once again left out of Yankees' starting lineup, says he'll ‘be ready’ if needed
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Brad Ausmus on Mets radar to replace Collins
Brad Ausmus on Mets radar to replace Collins
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, CBS New York, Amazin' Avenue, Bless You Boys, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
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, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
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:
FanRag Sports, River Avenue Blues, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and CBS Miami
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Associated Press:
New York Mets buying Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs — SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York Mets are buying the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs as they work toward centering more of their minor league baseball operations in their home state. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed the deal Monday, calling it …
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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:
FanRag Sports, Ballpark Digest and Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Angels acquire hard-throwing reliever Felix Pena from Cubs — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired right-handed reliever Felix Pena from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. — The Angels announced the deal Monday for Diaz, who was designated for assignment by Chicago last week.
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Jeff Fletcher / Daily News:
Angels acquire reliever Felix Peña from Cubs
Angels acquire reliever Felix Peña from Cubs
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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
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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Associated Press:
Reds RHP Rookie Davis undergoes shoulder, hip surgeries — CINCINNATI — Reds right-hander Rookie Davis had surgery Monday to repair a torn labrum and remove a bone spur in his right hip. His recovery is expected to extend into spring training. — He made his major league debut this season …