Top News:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees name Masahiro Tanaka Game 1 starter for ALCS vs. Astros — Masahiro Tanaka, fresh off his dominating performance vs. the Indians in Game 3, will start Game 1 of the ALCS the Yankees announced Thursday via Twitter. — Tanaka pitched seven shutout innings Sunday to help dig Bombers …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Masahiro Tanaka to take mound for Yankees in ALCS opener vs. Astros — Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound Friday night when the New York Yankees open their American League Championship Series against the Astros in Houston. — Luis Severino will start Game 2 on Saturday in Houston.
Discussion:
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, Pinstripe Alley and FanRag Sports
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
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Baby Bombers were carried to ALCS on backs of Yankees veterans
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
ESPN:
Indians ace Corey Kluber knocks down notion that injury held him back
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Billy Witz / New York Times:
Didi Gregorius Leads Yankees Past Indians and Into A.L.C.S.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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.
RELATED:
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Cubs-Nats: Must-win G5 tonight, 8 ET (TBS) — CHICAGO — Win or go home. It's that simple. — The Cubs are hoping to keep their quest alive to become the first repeat World Series champions since 2000, while the Nationals are seeking their first postseason series win since moving to Washington.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 …
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
NLDS: History on line as Washington Nationals return home vs. Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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:
Halos Heaven, Chicago Tribune, 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
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.
Discussion:
Philly.com
RELATED:
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, The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and PhillyVoice
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 …
RELATED:
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, Purple Row and MLB Daily Dish
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 …
