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12:50 PM ET, October 18, 2017

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 Top News: 
Charlotte Knights / The Charlotte Observer:
Dylan Hernandez: Ethier doesn't waste chance  —  CHICAGO - Andre Ethier waited six months for this, seven months, really, if you count the end of spring training.  —  The monotonous therapy sessions, the periods of despondence and frustration, Ethier endured in the unlikely chance he could live …
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
LEADING OFF: Dodgers seek sweep; Yanks try to solve Keuchel  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors today:  —  BRING OUT THE BROOMS  —  One win from their first World Series appearance in 29 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers go for a four-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs …
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
ALCS Game 5 preview: Dallas Keuchel tries to get Astros back on track  —  NEW YORK — After a pair of crushing losses, the Houston Astros will lean on the left arm of Dallas Keuchel to get them back on track in the American League Championship Series.  —  With Keuchel and Justin Verlander dominating …
Charlotte Knights / The Charlotte Observer:
Dodgers one win away from first World Series since 1988  —  CHICAGO - Yu Darvish stepped outside the batter's box as his eyes registered the location of the last pitch.  It was a fastball from Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr., like the three pitches before it, and it was not a strike, like the three before it.
Discussion: Beyond the Box Score
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
NLCS: Yu Darvish's RBI walk was first by a pitcher in postseason since 1977  —  Dodgers starter Yu Darvish's walk in the sixth inning of Tuesday's NLCS Game 3 marked the first time a pitcher walked with the bases loaded in the postseason since in 40 years.  —  The last time it happened …
Discussion: New York Times
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Yu Darvish's domination has Dodgers on brink of taking 3-0 lead on Cubs  —  Yu Darvish pitched a gem and has the Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of their first World Series since 1988.  —  Darvish held the Chicago Cubs to one run — a solo homer by Kyle Schwarber in the first inning …
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue and True Blue LA
Ted Berg / USA Today:
Dodgers beat Cubs 6-1, move one win from first World Series since 1988  —  CHICAGO — Breaking down Game 3 of the NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field:  —  Dodgers 6, Cubs 1: Dodgers lead the series, 3-0.
Ted Berg / USA Today:
NLCS: 5 takeaways from Dodgers' Game 3 win over Cubs  —  CHICAGO — Five takeaways from the Dodgers' 6-1 win over the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.  —  1. The Cubs are (probably) done  —  Only one team in baseball history has lost the first three games …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers' depth puts them on brink of first World Series since 1988  —  CHICAGO - Can you imagine what the Los Angeles Dodgers would look like if they bothered to bring their best player to Wrigley Field?  —  The Dodgers can tell All-Star shortstop Corey Seager to hit the beach, work on his tan …
Associated Press:
Kyle Schwarber batting second as Cubs look to cut NLCS deficit against Dodgers
Discussion: ESPN and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Judge HR sparks NY, Yanks beat Astros 6-4 to even ALCS at 2  —  NEW YORK (AP) — With a soaring shot headed for Monument Park, Aaron Judge got New York back on course for another memorable October.  —  Yankee Stadium sounds like it's ready, too.  —  “That ballpark is alive,” Judge said after this latest rousing rally.
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Howie Kussoy / New York Post:
Dallas Keuchel embraces the ‘calmness’ of being Yankees killer … The Astros will have the right starter on the mound to kill the Yankees' momentum.  —  Three years after knocking them from the playoffs — and less than a week removed from dominating them again — Astros ace Dallas Keuchel …
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Yankees rally late to stun Astros, even ALCS 2-2  —  NEW YORK — Breaking down Game 4 of the AL Championship Series between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium:  —  Yankees 6, Astros 4: Series tied, 2-2.  —  The game: In a series packed with outstanding starting pitching …
ESPN:
Larger than life, Aaron Judge officially arrives as an October hero  —  NEW YORK — Now we know where our grandfathers were coming from when they told their stories about Babe Ruth, and how he could fill a ballpark with his overpowering presence at the plate.
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees' confidence soaring after latest comeback as Stadium rocks like '90s glory days  —  When it was over and Team Comeback had pulled off its most death-defying feat yet in this thrill-ride of a postseason, you walked away thinking not so much about the clutch hits from Aaron Judge or Gary Sanchez …
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Keuchel breathes deep before his task: Take back the Astros' ALCS advantage in Game 5  —  NEW YORK — Before every start he makes for the Houston Astros, in those precious seconds prior to throwing his first pitch, Dallas Keuchel steps off the mound, gazes around the ballpark, takes a deep breath and slowly exhales.
Matt Young / Houston Chronicle:   Heartbreaking reason kid who got Carlos Correa's HR ball was sitting in that seat
Pedro Moura / Baltimore Sun:   Yankees come back late to beat the Astros and even ALCS
John Harper / New York Daily News:   Aaron Judge sparked Yankees' rally, now Yankees need him to continue recent surge to win ALCS
Larry Fleisher / UPI:   ALCS: New Yankees rally late to even series
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees turn the tables on Red Sox after Dave Roberts tweet
Associated Press:   Catcher Austin Romine to start for Yankees in Game 4 of ALCS
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
40 years ago, George Brett punched Graig Nettles in the ALCS.  Then the game continued  —  The clip is grainy.  It is short.  It is 3 minutes and 22 seconds, to be precise, and it is amazing.  —  It is 40 years old, too, its anniversary coming earlier this month, and as the baseball playoffs continue …
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Podcast: Stories from the Royals beat with recently retired reporter Bob Dutton
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Royals Review
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Robin Ventura doesn't want to manage Mets — or anywhere … CHICAGO — It was nothing personal against the Mets.  —  Robin Ventura's name had been linked to the Mets' managerial opening in recent weeks, but after the former All-Star third baseman showed no interest in the job, he was removed from consideration, according to sources.
Discussion: Newsday and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Doug Mittler / ESPN:   Rumor Central: Kevin Long the early favorite for Mets' manager job?
ESPN:
Playoff baseball games lasting longer than ever before  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's postseason has featured some compelling storylines and classic endings — from Justin Turner's walk-off homer against the Chicago Cubs to Carlos Correa's game-winning double to beat the Yankees.
Discussion: Associated Press
Associated Press:
Red Sox's Ramirez, Rodriguez have shoulder, knee surgeries  —  BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox say designated hitter Hanley Ramirez and pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez are recovering from offseason surgical procedures.  —  The team said Tuesday that Ramirez underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Eduardo Rodriguez Undergoes Knee Surgery
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
 
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 More News: 
FOX59:
Colts running back Robert Turbin's season ‘probably over’ following elbow injury
Discussion: FanRag Sports and ProFootballTalk
Washington Times:
A looming question for Nationals infield is Daniel Murphy's contract
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
Will the Nationals have to overhaul their bench?
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
LEADOFF: Braves' McGuirk says MLB probe ‘basically wrapped up’
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs-Dodgers series splits some celebrity duos
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
 Earlier Picks: 
Phil Rosenthal / Chicago Tribune:
Taco Bell plans another ‘Steal a Base, Steal a Taco’ promotion for World Series
Wall Street Journal:
Baseball's Hidden Key to Success: Throwing Slower
Discussion: Red Reporter
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Free agent Lucroy, Rockies make good fit
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Exactly 12 years ago, Albert Pujols took Brad Lidge deep
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

 
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