Top News:
ESPN:
Alex Bregman wears No. 2 in part because Diamondbacks didn't draft him No. 1 — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman still isn't over the fact that the Arizona Diamondbacks passed over him in the 2015 MLB draft. — “I was super happy to come to a good organization like the Astros …
Discussion:
Arizona Republic
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Jordan Godwin / Associated Press:
Springer helps Astros beat D-backs 10-4, extend AL West lead — Astros starter Charlie Morton (15-3) frustrated Arizona hitters, who struggled to get anything off the ground against him early. Morton was perfect through three innings before the Diamondbacks scored on a sacrifice fly from David Peralta in the fourth to pull to 2-1.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — HOUSTON - Third baseman Alex Bregman said he couldn't be happier being with the Houston Astros, the team that drafted him second overall out of LSU in 2015 and the club he helped to win a World Series last October. — But he didn't deny being upset that the Diamondbacks …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — HOUSTON - When Clay Buchholz suffered a flexor strain in his right arm last year, he needed surgery. The flexor had ripped a piece of bone off with it, and Buchholz knew he had a long road to recovery ahead of him. — Buchholz on Thursday suffered another injury to that same right flexor …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
Chris McCosky / WKYC-TV:
‘A class act:’ Cleveland bids a fond farewell to former Indians All-Star Victor Martinez — Martinez was a three-time All-Star during his time with the Indians from 2002-09. — Cleveland — These are the types of emotional episodes Victor Martinez has been trying to avoid as his 16-year career winds down.
Discussion:
Detroit News
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
WATCH: Yonder Alonso belts two-run home run for Cleveland Indians
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
WATCH: Cleveland Indians score six runs in first inning against Detroit Tigers
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians win third straight American League Central Division Championship
ESPN:
A's turn to Fiers to salvage series with Rays — Mike Fiers has been nothing short of spectacular since the Oakland Athletics acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in a waiver deal Aug. 6. — On Sunday, the veteran right-hander tries to put a stop to Oakland's mini-skid when he goes …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tommy Pham is making his way as a Ray — When the July 31 trading deadline without waivers approached, Cardinals center fielder Tommy Pham had assumed, if he was dealt, that he would be going to one of two American League contenders - Houston or Cleveland - both of which had been reported to be seeking outfield help.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
It's a changing of the guard for Yankees, who clearly will be relying more on young talent like Miguel Andujar come playoffs — Time marches on and the next generation in pinstripes steps up and takes the place of former champions. Hours after first-year Yankee manager Aaron Boone …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Despite some promising signs, the Yankees are fast running out of games to put everything together before the playoffs — The pieces are slowly coming back, but will the Yankees have time to put them all back together? Aaron Judge and Aroldis Chapman could be ready to rejoin the roster …
Daily Record:
Aaron Boone will have decisions to make once Aaron Judge rejoins New York Yankees' lineup
Alec Brzezinski / Sporting News:
Yankees activate Aaron Judge from disabled list
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Everyone getting into the act to keep Cubs rolling in NL Central — Chicago Tribune — The shadows crept over the mound in the fifth inning late Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, a harbinger of the season's end and the postseason's arrival. — For years fans here were conditioned …
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Phil Rogers / Baltimore Sun:
Jon Lester pitches Cubs to 1-0 win over Reds; Cubs lead NL Central by 2 1/2 games after Brewers' loss — Photos from the Cubs' 1-0 win against the Reds on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 at Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — Jon Lester is 34, which sounds a lot older measured in pitcher's years.
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies use 22 players, including eight pitchers, for come-from-behind victory over Marlins — Vince Velasquez struck out three of the first four batters he faced Saturday night. Then, he gave up four runs on five hits. Then, he missed a return throw from the catcher, leading to an inning-ending caught stealing.
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ESPN:
Phillies, Pivetta go for sweep of Marlins — Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena is hoping his Sunday start against the Philadelphia Phillies goes like the last time he faced them. — Urena (6-12, 4.29 ERA) threw seven strong innings against Philadelphia earlier this month.
Clark Spencer / miamiherald:
30 years later, cancer survivor re-unites with Don Mattingly
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Yasiel Puig on 3 HRs: Teammates said ‘to stop hitting ground balls’ — ST. LOUIS — The Los Angeles Dodgers arrived in St. Louis for a four-game series with teetering playoff hopes and a need to for their marquee players to get hot at just the right time. With three home runs on Saturday …
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Mike Chiari / Bleacher Report:
Yasiel Puig Blasts 5th Home Run in 2 Games vs. Cardinals
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Yasiel Puig's increased focus leading to better production
Discussion:
USA Today
ESPN:
Royals go for sweep of slumping Twins — Three straight losses to the Kansas City Royals has left a sour taste in the Minnesota Twins' mouths as they prepare to kick off their final road trip of the season, a 10-game, three-city jaunt that will include stops in Detroit and Oakland.
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ESPN:
White Sox go for fourth straight win, sweep of Orioles — BALTIMORE — The Chicago White Sox will try to stretch their winning streak to four games and finish a weekend sweep of the Baltimore Orioles when the teams meet Sunday at Camden Yards. — Chicago has bounced back after dropping seven straight games.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
President of baseball operations Dick Williams is keeping quiet on specifics of the Cincinnati Reds managerial search — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer — My wife was listening when I interviewed Dick Willams about the managerial search. — When I hung up, she allowed this: “Boy, that was a whole lot of nothing.”
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Michael Lorenzen will make his first start of the season for the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
New York Daily News:
Mets waste a Brandon Nimmo homer in loss to Red Sox, now hand the ball to Jacob deGrom for a potential series victory — It's up to Jacob deGrom now. — The Mets ace will take the ball Sunday afternoon with a lot riding on his start against Chris Sale. DeGrom will have a chance to bolster …
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ESPN:
Braves go for seventh straight win vs. Nationals — ATLANTA — Juan Soto's season has been historic for a 19-year-old and that would normally make the Washington Nationals outfielder a lock for National League Rookie of the Year. — Not in 2018, though, with the way 20-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr …
Associated Press:
Trevor Bauer, inching toward comeback, throws off mound — CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer moved a little closer to pitching in the postseason, throwing 40 pitches off the mound inside an empty Progressive Field on Saturday. — It was a positive step in the All-Star right-hander's recovery …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Hicks, other top relievers gathering cobwebs — Fresh off a complete season at Class A and soon to be Arizona-bound for an invitation-only fall league, Jordan Hicks returned to Florida to gather his car a year ago at this time and begin the 18-hour drive back home to Texas. It took at least 22.
