Top News:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Dodgers stick with division series rotation as they prep to face Cubs in NLCS — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced his rotation for L.A.'s National League Championship Series matchup against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. — Roberts said that after Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw starts …
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True Blue LA
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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.
UPI:
NLCS Game 1: Chicago Cubs arrive late in Los Angeles after unscheduled stop — The Chicago Cubs' overnight flight to Los Angeles lasted into Friday afternoon before arriving more than five hours behind schedule. — The United charter plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport at 12:09 p.m. PT …
Fox Sports:
A capsule look at the Cubs-Dodgers playoff series — A look at the best-of-seven National League Championship Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers: — Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Los Angeles, 8:08 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Sunday, at Los Angeles, 7:38 p.m. …
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 …
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 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 …
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.
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
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.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs plane diverted to Albuquerque
Cubs plane diverted to Albuquerque
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Seidel / UPI:
NLCS: Chicago Cubs' bats come alive at right time
Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
For vanquished Nationals, an inning that will live in infamy
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, Bleed Cubbie Blue, True Blue LA and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
15 pivotal moments in Cubs' 9-8 victory over Nationals in Game 5 of NLDS
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:
Chicago Tribune and The Daily Beast
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Cubs can laugh at their good fortune: On to the NLCS after absurd 9-8 win over Nationals
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!
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
End of an era for Jayson Werth in Washington
ESPN:
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has no plans to drop Aaron Judge in order during ALCS — HOUSTON — Despite Aaron Judge's struggles in the ALDS, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he has no plans to move Judge down in the order during the ALCS. — “I never talked about moving him down,” Girardi said.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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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 …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, The Crawfish Boxes and Federal Baseball
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
ALCS stacks up teams with MVP candidates — One of the great photos of the 2017 season featured the diminutive Jose Altuve and the gigantic Aaron Judge beside each other on the basepaths — a shining example that baseball starpower comes in many shapes and sizes.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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 and The Crawfish Boxes
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Jose Altuve: Aaron Judge's power, humbleness makes him MVP favorite — HOUSTON — If it was up to Jose Altuve, Aaron Judge will be crowned MVP of the American League. — With the two leading MVP candidates converging Friday night for Game 1 of the AL Championship Series …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Jose Altuve makes the case for Yankees rookie slugger Aaron Judge as AL MVP
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Matt Holliday to make Yankees playoff debut in Game 1 of ALCS vs. Astros
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Yankees, Astros set ALCS rotations: Tanaka squares off against Keuchel in Game 1
Yankees, Astros set ALCS rotations: Tanaka squares off against Keuchel in Game 1
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, The Crawfish Boxes and AZ Snake Pit
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
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Angels Notes: ‘Dialogue’ ongoing with Justin Upton — Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Friday he recently had a “positive conversation” with Justin Upton and agent Larry Reynolds and “there is dialogue going on,” although he wouldn't characterize the situation any further.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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:
Lonzo Wire, Bleacher Report and 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 …