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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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.
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
Chicago Tribune:
The last Cubs-Dodgers NLCS: A 6-game masterpiece — Baseball- Los Angeles Dodgers- Chicago Cubs- National League Championship Series- Clayton Kershaw- Kyle Hendricks- Anthony Rizzo — The Cubs third-straight trip to the National League Championship Series will feature the same matchup as last year: The Dodgers.
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
Chicago Tribune:
Fans at Wrigley watch party endure gut-wrenching twists, turns as Cubs advance — Robin Cordero, 24, center, covers her eyes Oct. 12, 2017, while watching the Chicago Cubs play the Washington Nationals during the first inning of Game 5 of the National League Division Series. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, McCovey Chronicles, Athletics Nation and Let's Go Tribe
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 — 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 — 1. Jon Jay doubled on the second pitch of the game …
Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
For vanquished Nationals, an inning that will live in infamy
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
All defeats are not created equal. For Nats, this one is a special kind of painful.
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
Rotation, roster decisions await Cubs vs. Dodgers in NLCS rematch
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs can laugh at their good fortune: On to the NLCS after absurd 9-8 win over Nationals
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
End of an era for Jayson Werth in Washington
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs outlast Nationals 9-8 in decisive NLDS Game 5 to clinch series, advance to NLCS
Cubs outlast Nationals 9-8 in decisive NLDS Game 5 to clinch series, advance to NLCS
Discussion:
The Daily Beast
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs pull out all stops to win ‘nutty’ National League Division Series
Cubs pull out all stops to win ‘nutty’ National League Division Series
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Cubs beat the Nationals 9-8 to set up an NLCS rematch with the Dodgers
Cubs beat the Nationals 9-8 to set up an NLCS rematch with the Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Game 5 turning point: Addison Russell's 2-run double fuels Cubs' 4-run 5th
Game 5 turning point: Addison Russell's 2-run double fuels Cubs' 4-run 5th
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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.
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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:
Beyond the Box Score
ESPN:
Astros betting on Dallas Keuchel to repeat history — HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel had already established himself as the real deal in baseball circles when he embraced the moment and pitched the Houston Astros over the New York Yankees in the 2015 American League wild-card game.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
After emotional ALDS comeback, Yankees seem destined to beat Astros and advance to World Series
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Yankees are not the best team left in the playoffs, but they are the most lovable
Joe Belock / New York Daily News:
All-time Yankees-Astros team composed of players who played for both franchises
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Why the Houston Astros will win the AL Championship Series
ESPN:
Masahiro Tanaka to take mound for Yankees in ALCS opener vs. Astros
Masahiro Tanaka to take mound for Yankees in ALCS opener vs. Astros
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Associated Press, Minor League Ball, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Yankees, Astros set ALCS rotations: Tanaka squares off against Keuchel in Game 1
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
AL MVP candidates Aaron Judge, Jose Altuve, couldn't be more different
AL MVP candidates Aaron Judge, Jose Altuve, couldn't be more different
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
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
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 …
ESPN:
Max Scherzer's unbelievable, impossible, unprecedented loss — Max Scherzer didn't deserve the loss. This is often true of pitchers who get the loss, but this one goes in the Didn't Deserve The Loss Hall of Fame. I mean, mathematically speaking, he really didn't deserve the loss. — Just look at this:
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 …