Top News:
ESPN:
Power Rankings: One last Red Sox-Astros showdown before October — who's No. 1? — With just three weeks left in the season, we're at the point when a good run matters a lot more for teams that still have October on their agenda than it will for, say, the Rays building on their stretch-run spoiler bragging rights.
RELATED:
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
The 100s tracker: Astros rejoin the club — With a series win against the best team in baseball, the Astros made their way back into the group of teams on pace for triple-digit wins. Who else could hit the century mark in wins or losses as the season hits the homestretch? — THE 100-WIN-PACE CLUB
Donald Duench / Toronto Sun:
On Deck: Blue Jays at Red Sox — TORONTO BLUE JAYS at BOSTON RED SOX — STARTING PITCHERS — LHP Ryan Borucki (3-4, 4.39 ERA) vs. LHP Chris Sale (12-4, 1.97 ERA) — Sale (mild left shoulder inflammation) is expected to be activated off the DL to start the game.
Calli Remillard / Boston Globe:
'I'm tired of these questions': Astros manager insists the wrong call was upheld against Red Sox
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and NESN.com
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Red Sox-Astros series left us wanting more in October
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: MLB needs to change the venue for Thursday's Cubs-Nationals game with Hurricane Florence looming — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs can't complain or cry about the decision to postpone Sunday's game in Washington because of the nonstop rain. — And they won't complain or cry …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant starts in left field as Cubs try to rebound vs. Brewers
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 questions about the upcoming Cubs-Brewers series at Wrigley Field
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: For now, Cubs fending off Brewers as showdown looms
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Detroit Free Press:
Justin Verlander gets emotional during video before start vs. Tigers — For the first time in his career, Justin Verlander is a visitor at Comerica Park. — The Detroit Tigers did their best to pay homage to the former All-Star and ace. … As Verlander was walking from the bullpen …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Last Slide — It already was a big night for Christin Stewart, one of the top prospects in the Detroit Tigers' organization. — The much-anticipated major league debut for the outfielder came Sunday, when he ended the game as a pinch-hitter and popped out to third base.
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Nationals endorsed decision not to play on Citizens Bank Park infield that felt like ‘pudding’ — At about 6:25 p.m. Monday night, less than an hour before the first pitch was supposed to have been thrown, Washington Nationals leadoff hitter Adam Eaton went for a walk on the infield at Citizens Bank Park.
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies postponed by wet field; blowtorches fall short — The Phillies will have to get hot in the final two weeks of the season if they are to chase down first-place Atlanta. But that's not why five blowtorches flamed the infield dirt on Monday afternoon.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Federal Baseball, The Good Phight and The Comeback
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Fenway Fun and more awaits Blue Jays as season fades away — BOSTON - The future of the Blue Jays will meet the present (such as it is) head on in the most literal way possible over the next three days. — With a bloated Jays roster to play the remainder of the season …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Grichuk hurt in odd accident, Blue Jays top Indians 6-2
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Red Sox, Yanks miffed at Indians' acquisition of Josh Donaldson
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Several rival clubs are unhappy with the circumstances of the Josh Donaldson trade
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sporting News, Over the Monster, NESN.com, Deadspin, Let's Go Tribe, WEEI and Bluebird Banter
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' Daniel Descalso to see more action in stretch run at Ketel Marte's expense … CONNECT — DENVER - Daniel Descalso was in the Diamondbacks' lineup at second base for the fourth consecutive game on Monday night, a trend that manager Torey Lovullo said will continue and likely will come at the expense of Ketel Marte.
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Brad Boxberger out as closer as Diamondbacks look to favor late-inning matchups — DENVER - Following a stretch of games in which the Diamondbacks have blown late leads seemingly at every turn, manager Torey Lovullo said prior to Monday's series opener against the Rockies …
New York Daily News:
Mets, Marlins game gets postponed. Here's how it'll affect the rotation — Mother Nature must not be fan of Jacob deGrom. — The NL Cy Young contender missed out on another start Monday as the Mets home matchup against the Marlins was postponed due to rain.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
The Phillies are running out of time | Extra Innings
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Phillies Nation
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Aaron Judge takes batting practice but pain in wrist continues — MINNEAPOLIS — Even as he says the pain in his injured right wrist persists, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge continues to make strides in his recovery. — The days when he'll be back in pinstripes appear to finally be drawing a little closer.
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Tyler Glasnow ready to return to form — ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Tyler Glasnow doesn't know exactly what led to him pitching so badly in his last start, allowing seven runs Wednesday at Toronto without getting out of the first. — But he is pretty sure he knows …
ESPN:
Cubs reliever Drew Smyly won't return for stretch run — Chicago Cubs left-handed reliever Drew Smyly, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in June 2017, has been shut down for the season, the team announced Monday. — Smyly was throwing simulated games …
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Albert Pujols aiming to play ‘as many games at first base next year as I can’ — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Albert Pujols said he will “try to play as many games at first base next year as I can” after undergoing season-ending surgery on his left knee two weeks ago.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Mike Montgomery waiting in the wings to start Thursday at Nationals — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs were victims of two rainouts in Washington last weekend, but manager Joe Maddon didn't lose his sense of humor when asked if he's no longer wet. — “I'm going through mold remediation right now,” Maddon said Monday.
