Top News:
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
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Decision to go with the inconsistent Masahiro Tanaka for Game 1 is risky, but makes sense — HOUSTON — Masahiro Tanaka had his worst performance of the season against the Astros on Derek Jeter Night in the Bronx, when he allowed four homers while failing to get out of the second inning.
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Yankees vs. Astros: Breaking down the matchups between the two teams — Two years ago, the Yankees faced the Astros in a do-or-die, American League wild-card game at Yankee Stadium, the only other time the two clubs have met in the postseason before Friday's start of the ALCS.
Associated Press:
Gary Cederstrom, Mike Winters to be umpire crew chiefs in LCS — NEW YORK — Gary Cederstrom will be the umpire crew chief for the American League Championship Series and Mike Winters will handle the duties for the National League Championship Series. — Major League Baseball made the announcement Thursday.
Discussion:
ESPN
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
AL MVP candidates Aaron Judge, Jose Altuve, couldn't be more different — HOUSTON - Baseball stars and competing most valuable player candidates occasionally come in vastly dissimilar shapes and sizes. — There rarely has been a truer or more glaring example than pending AL Championship Series foes Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Dallas Keuchel's history against the Yankees made him easy pick to start ALCS Game 1 — HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel could not hide his disappointment. Or maybe the 2015 Cy Young winner just would not hide it. The righthander came right out and said he was disappointed the Astros front office …
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 …
Associated Press:
Astros veteran duo, traded by Yankees, happy for young stars on former club — HOUSTON — Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann spent most of the previous three seasons as teammates with the New York Yankees, and while there got to see the birth of those baby Bronx Bombers they will now face in the American League Championship Series.
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 …
ESPN:
Yankees rally around manager Joe Girardi in Game 5 win over Indians
Yankees rally around manager Joe Girardi in Game 5 win over Indians
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report, The Daily Beast, Pinstripe Alley and FanRag Sports
Roger Rubin / UPI:
ALCS: Surging New York Yankees should give favored Houston Astros tough battle
ALCS: Surging New York Yankees should give favored Houston Astros tough battle
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Jose Altuve staying humble as Astros marvel at 2B ahead of ALCS
Jose Altuve staying humble as Astros marvel at 2B ahead of ALCS
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers manager search: Cubs' Dave Martinez must be considered — WASHINGTON — Dave Martinez has the experience. — For the past 10 seasons, he has served as Joe Maddon's right-hand man, as a bench coach in both Tampa Bay and Chicago. He has been interviewed …
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Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Despite the buzz, MLB finds no wrongdoing by Cubs coach wearing a FitBit in dugout — When a video appeared to show a member of the Chicago Cubs using an electronic watch in the dugout during Game 4 of the Nationals League Division Series, social media instantly began buzzing.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Sporting News, The Week and CBS DC
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
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB playoffs: Are big-game starting pitchers nearly extinct?
Steve Greenberg / Chicago Sun Times:
Jake Arrieta counting on team to win Game 5, extend his time with Cubs
Jeff Arnold / UPI:
NLDS: History on line as Washington Nationals return home vs. Chicago Cubs
NLDS: History on line as Washington Nationals return home vs. Chicago Cubs
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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:
baseballmusings.com and Federal Baseball
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
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Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies interview Dusty Wathan, Jorge Velandia as two more internal candidates for manager
Jim Salisbury / NBCSports.com:
Sources: Jorge Velandia emerges as strong candidate for Phillies manager job
Sources: Jorge Velandia emerges as strong candidate for Phillies manager job
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and PhillyVoice
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
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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
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Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Yankees make fun of Indians on social media after ALDS win
Yankees make fun of Indians on social media after ALDS win
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com, USA Today, Bless You Boys, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com