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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Larry Fleisher / UPI:
ALDS: New York Yankees drub Cleveland Indians, force deciding Game 5 — NEW YORK — Early Saturday morning, the New York Yankees took the short flight from Cleveland, feeling angered and disappointed, knowing they let a big opportunity slip away by blowing a five-run lead.
Associated Press:
ALDS: Yankees force winner-take-all against the Indians — Yankees relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle reacts after closing out the top of the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in Game 4 of the American League divisional series on Oct. 9. (Abbie Parr / Getty Images)
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Luis Severino rebounds nicely, bats come alive as Yankees beat Indians, 7-3, to force Game 5 — The Yankees will play a decisive Game 5 of the division series Wednesday in Cleveland, after Yankees ace Luis Severino redeemed himself from his wild-card fiasco last week in every way imaginable …
Ted Berg / USA Today:
ALDS: Five takeaways from the Yankees' Game 4 win over the Indians — NEW YORK — Five takeaways from the New York Yankees' 7-3 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 4 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on Monday. — Going back to Cleveland — The Yankees looked like toast as recently as Friday night …
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.
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.
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.
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
At season's end, Red Sox mull manager John Farrell's fate — BOSTON — Change will come to the Boston Red Sox. — It's almost inevitable now. A season that began six months ago amid expectations of a championship ended in the rain Monday at Fenway Park.
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Justin Verlander gives up 2-run HR to first batter in first career relief appearance
Justin Verlander gives up 2-run HR to first batter in first career relief appearance
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
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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ESPN
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Respect me! Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo wants ‘to make guys pay’ — With 21 hits in his last 52 postseason at-bats, a streak that spans three playoff series and one World Series championship, Anthony Rizzo would like to think his postseason reputation precedes him.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs overcome flaws for 2-1 victory over Nationals and 2-1 NLDS lead — Photos from Game 3 of the National League Division Series between the Cubs and Nationals at Wrigley Field on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. — Chicago Tribune — A calmness persisted in the Cubs' dugout Monday despite four errors …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
NLDS Game 4 starter Jake Arrieta to savor what could be his final games as a Cub
NLDS Game 4 starter Jake Arrieta to savor what could be his final games as a Cub
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist's persistence pays off for Cubs in Game 3 win
Ben Zobrist's persistence pays off for Cubs in Game 3 win
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:
River Avenue Blues, FanRag Sports, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and CBS Miami
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees will turn to CC Sabathia in do-or-die Game 5 matchup vs. Corey Kluber — CC Sabathia will get the ball for the Bombers in Game 5. — Sabathia will oppose likely 2017 Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber, who was rocked by the Yankees for six runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings in Game 2.
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Matt Holliday once again left out of Yankees' starting lineup, says he'll ‘be ready’ if needed
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia will start Game 5 of ALDS for Yankees vs. Indians if necessary
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Brad Ausmus on Mets radar to replace Collins
Brad Ausmus on Mets radar to replace Collins
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, CBS New York, Bless You Boys, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
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:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball America, Ballpark Digest, FanRag Sports 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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Talkin' Tigers podcast: An early preview of top of 2018 MLB draft — Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast? If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now. — In this Oct. 10, 2017 episode of the “Talkin' Tigers” podcast, Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech chats …
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.
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Twinkie Town