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
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 …
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.
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.
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 …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
5 keys for the Yankees to take care of the Astros in Houston to start the ALCS
Joe Belock / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Astros playoff history is just a one-game affair Bomber fans want to forget
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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
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
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:
baseballmusings.com and AZ Snake Pit
ESPN:
Report: Rockies' Greg Holland won't exercise player option, will become free agent — Greg Holland, an All-Star closer for the Rockies this season, will not exercise a $15 million player option in his contract and instead will become a free agent this offseason, FanRag Sports reported Thursday.
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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Greg Holland will opt out and aim high
Greg Holland will opt out and aim high
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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:
CBSSports.com, FanRag Sports and CBS New York
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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
ESPN:
Indians ace Corey Kluber knocks down notion that injury held him back
Indians ace Corey Kluber knocks down notion that injury held him back
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Baby Bombers were carried to ALCS on backs of Yankees veterans
Baby Bombers were carried to ALCS on backs of Yankees veterans
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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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Ari Gilberg / New York Daily News:
Thumbs Down Guy, who is a devoted Mets fan, now hopes Yankees keep winning — Gary Dunaier may be a Mets fan but he doesn't want his 15 minutes of fame to end just yet. — Dunaier, 54, became an internet sensation after cameras caught him giving a thumbs down sign following Todd Frazier's home run against the Rays at Citi Field.
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Aroldis Chapman gets redemption for 2016 World Series with save in final game of ALDS — CLEVELAND - Aroldis Chapman had a chance to close out the Indians in this same stadium barely one year ago. He could not do it in Game 7 of the World Series, even though his Cubs went on to end their century-long championship drought.
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, USA Today, Bless You Boys, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com