Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB playoffs: Are big-game starting pitchers nearly extinct? — With the New York Yankees ahead 3-1 in Game 5 of their division series Wednesday night, CC Sabathia gave up a run-scoring single to Cleveland Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela with his 69th pitch of the game with one out in the fourth inning.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Indians ace Corey Kluber knocks down notion that injury held him back — After Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber allowed nine runs, including four homers, over 6 1/3 innings in two postseason starts, there was speculation that he was again fighting the back issue that landed him on the disabled list in May.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
NLDS Game 4 turning point: Michael Taylor's grand slam
NLDS Game 4 turning point: Michael Taylor's grand slam
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
William Lee / Chicago Tribune:
How high is mold in Chicago? NU doctor weighs in
How high is mold in Chicago? NU doctor weighs in
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Halos Heaven, CBSSports.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Steve Greenberg / Chicago Sun Times:
Jake Arrieta counting on team to win Game 5, extend his time with Cubs
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Stephen Strasburg strikes back: Nationals top Cubs to force winner-take-all Game 5
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
LIVE BLOG: Jon Lester enters as Cubs trail 1-0 in 5th inning of Game 4
LIVE BLOG: Jon Lester enters as Cubs trail 1-0 in 5th inning of Game 4
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As Stephen Strasburg takes mound for Game 4, plenty at stake for All-Star, Nationals
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Stephen Strasburg to start today's Cubs-Nationals NLDS Game 4
Stephen Strasburg to start today's Cubs-Nationals NLDS Game 4
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Yankees rally around manager Joe Girardi in Game 5 win over Indians — New York third baseman Todd Frazier said the motivation for the Yankees' American League Division Series-clinching 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night was right there in the dugout.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, The Daily Beast and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Todd Frazier celebrates New York Yankees' ALDS win vs. Cleveland Indians — Todd Frazier discusses playing in a playoff game with the Yankees Matt Ehalt/NorthJersey.com — Todd Frazier celebrated the New York Yankees' ALDS win against the Cleveland Indians - the first postseason series win of his career …
Discussion:
CBS New York, USA Today and FanRag Sports
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Baby Bombers were carried to ALCS on backs of Yankees veterans — CLEVELAND — On a team laden with young talent, it was the old guard who led the Yankees to the ALCS. — CC Sabathia, Brett Gardner and David Robertson - all members of the 2009 World Series championship team - each delivered in a big way on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Roger Rubin / UPI:
ALCS: Surging New York Yankees should give favored Houston Astros tough battle — The Houston Astros got some good news and some bad news on Wednesday night. — The good news was that they would have home-field advantage for the American League Championship Series, with Game 1 set for Friday at Minute Maid Park.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge did help Yankees in ALDS, but barely with his bat — CLEVELAND — The Yankees overcame a brutal series from Aaron Judge at the plate to advance to the ALCS. — Judge went 1-for-20 with 16 strikeouts - an MLB record for Ks in a single playoff series.
Billy Witz / New York Times:
Didi Gregorius Leads Yankees Past Indians and Into A.L.C.S.
Didi Gregorius Leads Yankees Past Indians and Into A.L.C.S.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Jose Altuve staying humble as Astros marvel at 2B ahead of ALCS — HOUSTON — Jose Altuve hit .346 to win the American League batting title for the second straight year before batting .533 in the ALDS to help the Houston Astros eliminate the Boston Red Sox.
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Who the Boston Red Sox should hire as their next manager
Who the Boston Red Sox should hire as their next manager
Discussion:
Over the Monster, NBCSports.com, Bless You Boys, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies interview Dusty Wathan, Jorge Velandia as two more internal candidates for manager — The Phillies have not conducted an off-season managerial search since 2004, and they are sure to engage external candidates — as soon as next week. They could pursue a fresh perspective from outside …
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Juan Samuel the first to interview for Phillies managerial job
Juan Samuel the first to interview for Phillies managerial job
Discussion:
The Good Phight, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and PhillyVoice
Joe Belock / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Astros playoff history is just a one-game affair Bomber fans want to forget — Yankees and Astros have met just once before in the postseason — the Bombers' lifeless 3-0 loss in the 2015 AL wild card game at the Stadium. — Dallas Keuchel, Houston's Game 1 starter for Friday …
Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Yankees make fun of Indians on social media after ALDS win — The Yankees are kicking the Indians while they're down. — After coming back from an 0-2 hole and winning Game 5 of the ALDS to end Cleveland's season, the Bombers took to social media to make the Indians' three straight losses hurt even more.
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com, USA Today, Bless You Boys, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Mariners CEO optimistic in face of extended playoff drought — SEATTLE — John Stanton's first full season as the chairman and CEO of the Seattle Mariners ended the same as the previous 15 seasons when he was just a minority owner of the ballclub. — Out of the postseason …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Aroldis Chapman gets redemption for 2016 World Series with save in final game of ALDS — CLEVELAND - Aroldis Chapman had a chance to close out the Indians in this same stadium barely one year ago. He could not do it in Game 7 of the World Series, even though his Cubs went on to end their century-long championship drought.