Top News:
Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Red Sox beat the Mets 4-3 and cut magic number to 2 — BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts doesn't seem to be badly hurt, so the Red Sox can focus on clinching the AL East at Yankee Stadium for the second time in three seasons. — Betts gave Boston a scare when he injured his left side making …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Beyond the Box Score and The Good Phight
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Your guide to the last two weeks of the regular season — When we near the end of a season, I always remember some of the improbable comebacks from death to life or life to death that we've seen, even in the recent past. — Who can forget the 2007 Colorado Rockies, who won 13 …
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
The 100s tracker: The triple-digits club is dwindling — The 100 club is dwindling again. The Yankees are no longer on pace for 100-plus wins, though they are still close. The Red Sox are already there, and the Astros are still on pace. — On the losing side, the Orioles are in and Royals …
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Shake-ups start at No. 1 while NL races narrow — The Boston Red Sox are cruising toward a franchise record for wins, just three shy of reaching a pinnacle no other Sox team has reached. But that doesn't earn them extra consideration among baseball's superteams …
USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Red Sox set to clinch in the Bronx — The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of one of the dominant seasons in the history of baseball and have the opportunity to pour even more salt in the wound of their mortal enemy this week. — Needing just one win to clinch the American League East …
Associated Press:
MLB: Yankees' Judge may play against Red Sox — New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said All-Star slugger Aaron Judge could return to the lineup against the Boston Red Sox during a three-game series that starts Tuesday in the Bronx. — Boone said Sunday that Judge is “getting real close” to returning from a broken right wrist.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Joe Harris / Associated Press:
Wainwright blanks Dodgers over 6 innings, Cardinals win 5-0 — ST. LOUIS (AP) - Adam Wainwright had something to prove. — Wainwright pitched two-hit ball over six innings for his first win in five months, Marcell Ozuna homered and the St. Louis Cardinals salvaged the finale of a four-game series …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Viva El Birdos and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:
Daily Dose: Wonderful Waino — Wonderful Wainwright — To say that the Cardinals desperately needed a terrific pitching performance on Sunday night would be a massive understatement. — The Red Birds had been reeling. Losers of four straight games, including the first three of a four-game weekend set against the Dodgers.
Jorge Castillo / Baltimore Sun:
Dodgers unable to complete the sweep of the Cardinals, lose 5-0 — A couple hours before the Dodgers took the field Sunday night vying for a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Dave Roberts was asked how it felt to be in first place in the National League West again. — “It's OK,” he said.
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Mets spoiled Phillies season by continuing seven-year dominance | Extra Innings — Unable to complete a sweep of the Miami Marlins, the Phillies woke up this morning still 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East and five games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Don Mattingly calls for changes to September roster rules
Don Mattingly calls for changes to September roster rules
Discussion:
The Good Phight and MLB Trade Rumors
Clark Spencer / miamiherald:
Don Mattingly calls for roster limits after Marlins, Phillies set unusual MLB record
Don Mattingly calls for roster limits after Marlins, Phillies set unusual MLB record
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and baseballmusings.com
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
How did Phillies' season go awry? They wonder, too
How did Phillies' season go awry? They wonder, too
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
3 things we learned from Cubs-Reds series — Chicago Tribune — Here are three things we learned from the weekend Reds-Cubs series, which the Cubs won 2 games to 1: — 1. The Cubs have the bullpen pieces to win close games without having a proven closer.
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Astros ace Justin Verlander showing no signs of slowing down — Justin Verlander probably won't win the Cy Young Award, although he helped his case with a crucial effort on Sunday, allowing one run with 11 strikeouts over seven innings in the Houston Astros' 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
RELATED:
Jake Seiner / Toronto:
Yankees fall to Blue Jays 3-2 — NEW YORK — Red Sox-Yankees in late September — as sure a thing as exists for baseball's schedule makers. AL East powers, historic foes, duking it out for a division title. — Not this time. With Boston's iron grip on the majors' best record …
Discussion:
Camden Chat and Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Winning record gives Rays something to hold onto
Winning record gives Rays something to hold onto
Discussion:
DRaysBay
CBS Atlanta:
Braves Still Lead NL East 6½ games after 6-4 Loss To Nats — ATLANTA (AP) — It's not a good time for a slump. — Sean Newcomb is fighting for a spot in the rotation for the Atlanta Braves' run to the postseason. The way he's been playing recently at home, Newcomb is leaving doubt that he can handle the job.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Newcomb chased early as Braves drop series to Nationals
Newcomb chased early as Braves drop series to Nationals
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
Astros, Mariners looking to win season series — HOUSTON — After the news broke that Astros third baseman Alex Bregman had accomplished something never previously done by a player at his position, someone somewhere suggested he'd receive the Barry Bonds treatment when he came to the plate in high-leverage situations.
RELATED:
Jesse Yomtov / Arizona Republic:
Joe Maddon rips Cubs catcher Willson Contreras for failing to hustle — Cubs catcher Willson Contreras earned a strong rebuke from his manager after standing to watch a would-be home run in Sunday's game against the Reds at Wrigley Field. — Pinch-hitting in the fifth inning, Contreras hit a ball to dead center field.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Daily News and Bleacher Nation
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Last Slide — If the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching is this stinking good, what are they doing in fourth place? — That had to be what the Brewers were thinking late Sunday afternoon after yet another frustrating day against Pittsburgh's pitching staff. If the Brewers do fall short …
RELATED:
Todd Rosiak / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Pirates 3, Brewers 2: Offense comes up short yet again
Pirates 3, Brewers 2: Offense comes up short yet again
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Mets' Jay Bruce: 2018 ‘probably the least favorite season I have ever played’ — Former Cincinnati Reds first-round draft pick Jay Bruce had his ups and downs in nine seasons in the Queen City. He was an All-Star three times; he had three consecutive seasons of at least 30 home runs …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Memphis Redbirds go to title game — It seems as if most of the Memphis Redbirds already are here, but the Cardinals' Class AAA club, by virtue of a 5- win over Fresno on Saturday night, clinched a second consecutive Pacific Coast League title and advanced to the Class AAA championship game …