Top News:
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, Pinstripe Alley and FanRag Sports
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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.
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Nationals-Cubs NLDS Game 5: Which team has edge in winner-take-all clash? — For the third time in six years, the Washington Nationals will attempt to win a decisive Game 5 in the National League Division Series at Nationals Park - and advance to their first NL Championship Series.
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.
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 and FanRag Sports
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
5 keys for the Yankees to take care of the Astros in Houston to start the ALCS — The Astros are waiting in Houston for the Yankees, rested and formidable. With the best offense in baseball and a rotation bolstered by the late-season acquisition of ace Justin Verlander …
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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
ESPN:
Indians suffer an epic letdown with ALDS loss — CLEVELAND — After Brett Gardner's line single to right field scored two runs to put away Game 5 of the American League Division Series for the New York Yankees, hundreds of crestfallen realists in the Progressive Field stands succumbed to the inevitable.
Discussion:
FiveThirtyEight and Deadspin
Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Yankees make fun of Indians on social media after ALDS win
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com, Bless You Boys, USA Today, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
Billy Witz / New York Times:
Didi Gregorius Leads Yankees Past Indians and Into A.L.C.S.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Your guide to Thursday's Game 5: Winner gets the Dodgers! — We ended up with a pretty good round of Division Series. Two series go five games, thanks to Stephen Strasburg's gem on a drizzly Wednesday at Wrigley. We had a 13-inning game in the Cleveland Indians-New York Yankees series …
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Steve Greenberg / Chicago Sun Times:
Jake Arrieta counting on team to win Game 5, extend his time with Cubs
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
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
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Halos Heaven, CBSSports.com and FanGraphs Baseball
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Stephen Strasburg strikes back: Nationals top Cubs to force winner-take-all Game 5
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
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
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Doug Mittler / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Jorge Velandia in contention for Phillies' managerial job? — Jorge Velandia, currently a special assistant to general manager Matt Klentak, has emerged as a “strong candidate” for the managerial vacancy of the Philadelphia Phillies, reports Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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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 …
Jim Salisbury / NBCSports.com:
Sources: Jorge Velandia emerges as strong candidate for Phillies manager job
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and The Good Phight
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Juan Samuel the first to interview for Phillies managerial job
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and PhillyVoice
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.
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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Greg Holland will opt out and aim high — Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland will not exercise his $15 million player option and instead become a free agent. — Holland will be able to earn a big multiyear deal after his very nice comeback season in Colorado. But it will be interesting to see just how big.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Purple Row
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 …
