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
RELATED:
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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 …
RELATED:
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
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
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
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
RELATED:
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:
NBCSports.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 …
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Juan Samuel the first to interview for Phillies managerial job
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and PhillyVoice
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
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Over the Monster, Bless You Boys, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
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, Bless You Boys, USA Today, 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 …
