Top News:
New York Daily News:
Cubs come back to stun Nationals, 9-8, in NLDS Game 5 thriller — The Chicago Cubs win whenever they need to, with whatever it takes, even a seven-out save by Wade Davis to preserve a shrinking lead and a “Did that really happen?” four-run inning against Washington's Max Scherzer in a thriller of a Game 5.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers-centric observations from 2017 MLB postseason — An incredible first round of the MLB postseason is officially complete, after the Cubs outlasted the Nationals in Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night. It lived up to its billing.
Discussion:
USA Today
Jeff Barker / Baltimore Sun:
No billy goat or ‘Bambino’ but Washingtonians wonder if baseball team is jinxed — Cubs catcher Willson Contreras celebrates the strikeout of Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper to end the game. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) — In the early hours of Friday the 13th in the 13th season …
USA Today:
Chicago Cubs' flight to L.A. diverted to Albuquerque by medical issue — The Chicago Cubs' plane, bound for Los Angeles after they clinched a berth in NLCS, was diverted to Albuquerque Friday morning after a family member fell ill on the flight. — FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford confirmed …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs-Dodgers in NLCS: Who has the edge? — Photos from Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Cubs and Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. — Chicago Tribune — Starting pitching — Scrambling to win the division series leaves the Cubs with a less-than-ideal setup.
Fox Sports:
After latest playoff flop, Nats must decide Baker's future — WASHINGTON (AP) This is nothing new for the Washington Nationals: enjoy the euphoria of an NL East title, then the disappointment of a Division Series exit - usually with a narrow Game 5 loss, usually at home.
ESPN:
Cubs' plane diverted to Albuquerque for medical issue — ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A flight carrying the Chicago Cubs to Los Angeles was diverted to New Mexico early Friday due to a medical issue on board. — The plane was on its way to California again within a few hours. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
Associated Press
USA Today:
Jon Lester says he ‘blacked out,’ only saw last three outs of Cubs' win against Nationals — Cubs veteran starter Jon Lester apparently becomes a nervous fan during tight games. — Asked about closer Wade Davis' seven-out save — which preserved the Cubs' 9-8 win over the Nationals …
Discussion:
CBS Chicago and The Week
Jeff Seidel / UPI:
NLCS: Chicago Cubs' bats come alive at right time — WASHINGTON — The Chicago Cubs endured a prolonged slump during the first four games of their National League Division Series with the Washington Nationals. — Chicago held a .159 team batting average and had scored only eight runs entering the series finale.
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
15 pivotal moments in Cubs' 9-8 victory over Nationals in Game 5 of NLDS
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs can laugh at their good fortune: On to the NLCS after absurd 9-8 win over Nationals
Chicago Tribune:
Fans at Wrigley watch party endure gut-wrenching twists, turns as Cubs advance
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, Federal Baseball, Athletics Nation, Let's Go Tribe, McCovey Chronicles and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs outlast Nationals 9-8 in decisive NLDS Game 5 to clinch series, advance to NLCS
Discussion:
The Daily Beast
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
All defeats are not created equal. For Nats, this one is a special kind of painful.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Let Teddy Win!
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Rotation, roster decisions await Cubs vs. Dodgers in NLCS rematch
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Cubs beat the Nationals 9-8 to set up an NLCS rematch with the Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs pull out all stops to win ‘nutty’ National League Division Series
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Game 5 turning point: Addison Russell's 2-run double fuels Cubs' 4-run 5th
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Jose Altuve makes the case for Yankees rookie slugger Aaron Judge as AL MVP — HOUSTON - Jose Altuve supports Aaron Judge for AL MVP over his own candidacy. — The Astros' All-Star second baseman, Judge's primary competition for the award, this season, said before Game 1 of the ALCS …
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Fox Sports:
Keuchel looks to continue success against Yankees in ALCS — HOUSTON (AP) Dallas Keuchel is tired of talking about his success against the New York Yankees. — It didn't matter on Thursday, though. It was an unavoidable subject for Houston's ace as he prepares to start against them in Game 1 …
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Your guide to Friday's Game 1: Astros-Yankees is closer than you think — HOUSTON — And then there were four. — The division series are over, and with them, the postseason field has been whittled down from 10 teams. The next round begins Friday night, with the Houston Astros hosting …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Beyond the Box Score
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Matt Holliday to make Yankees playoff debut in Game 1 of ALCS vs. Astros — HOUSTON — Matt Holliday will finally get his shot. — Holliday will make his Yankee playoff debut at DH in Game 1 of the ALCS vs. Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel on Friday night. — The Bombers did not get a hit from their DH spot in the ALDS.
Fox Sports:
Astros hope Keuchel continues success vs. Yankees (Oct 13, 2017) — HOUSTON — It was difficult to determine whether Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel was entertained or exhausted by the number of times he was asked the same question on Thursday, a query seeking perspective on his career success against the New York Yankees.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
After emotional ALDS comeback, Yankees seem destined to beat Astros and advance to World Series
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Yankees, Astros set ALCS rotations: Tanaka squares off against Keuchel in Game 1
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Yankees are not the best team left in the playoffs, but they are the most lovable
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs plane diverted to Albuquerque — A jet lands at Los Angeles International Airport. — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs' arrival in Los Angeles for their National League Championship Series was delayed Friday when their plane was diverted to Albuquerque due to a medical situation …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
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ESPN:
Can the Dodgers fulfill Magic's vision? — LOS ANGELES — There is no way to pin down Magic Johnson at any moment. He's up long before dawn and in the gym for a morning workout. After that, he's everywhere and anywhere. The Lakers' new offices, practice courts, Dodger Stadium, a business meeting, a political rally.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
‘Jackass’ Alex Rodriguez makes lame excuse for using performance-enhancing drugs — Alex Rodriguez says he used performance-enhancing drugs through Biogenesis and its founder Anthony Bosch because he felt a “responsibility” to bounce back from injuries and give the Yankees a positive return …
Cincinnati.com:
The Reds will add this offseason, but they won't go bananas — In 2014, the Chicago Cubs made a marginal improvement after spending years in the cellar. After averaging 96 losses a season over the previous three years, they'd gone 73-89. They'd still finished last in the National League Central …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' off-season has started. Where's the beef? Well ... The 2017 season ended 11 days ago for the Texas Rangers, who must rebuild their starting rotation, add to the bullpen and determine where they will put Joey Gallo and Delino DeShields. — Yet, all that has come from the head offices …
