Top News:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Who can the Yankees trust in the wild-card game? — NEW YORK — For the first three months of the season, Luis Severino looked like an ace, the kind of consistently dominant pitcher a team would gladly start in a pivotal, must-win elimination game. — Several hiccups since the All-Star break made him look far different.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees front office, field staff begin planning for Wild Card game and playoffs — Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera — NEW YORK — The playoff strategy sessions have begun in the Bronx. — “We had an organizational meeting a few days ago, the first one where we had front office members …
Toronto Sun:
Yankees host Orioles, turn attention toward wild card
Yankees host Orioles, turn attention toward wild card
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Camden Chat
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Are these the best Red Sox ever? Only a championship will truly cement their legacy
Are these the best Red Sox ever? Only a championship will truly cement their legacy
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Phillies Nation
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
Tigers call up minor-leaguer Harold Castro to bolster infield — Detroit — The Tigers have been playing short-handed in the infield for a couple of weeks now. — Jose Iglesias is done for the season. Niko Goodrum (quad bruise) and Jeimer Candelario (back) are close to returning from their injuries, but they aren't ready just yet.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Christin Stewart's power surge a glimpse of Detroit Tigers' future — They had heard about his power, about the way this linebacker-looking outfielder can put the ball in the seats with ease. — Detroit Tigers fans had been waiting for Christin Stewart to show it to them all year.
Chris Thomas / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez: Saturday will be final game of career — Victor Martinez plans to end his career at Comerica Park. — Martinez said his last game will be Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, according to a Tigers spokesperson. — Martinez, speaking to a scrum of reporters …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Cubs' Russell placed on leave after domestic violence claims — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave Friday following fresh allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife. — Last year, Melisa Reidy posted a photo on her Instagram account …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ESPN
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
The evolution of the domestic abuse investigation of Addison Russell — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs made a point of saying they were staying out of Major League Baseball's investigation into domestic abuse allegations against shortstop Addison Russell by his then-wife, trusting the process would play out.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
‘We go where he goes’: Rockies' DJ LeMahieu faces wild finish, free agency — DJ LeMahieu ranks down the list of recognizable Colorado Rockies players, behind Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story, Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Holliday, to name a handful. For the uninitiated, LeMahieu's given name is “David John.”
Discussion:
Purple Row
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter returns to lineup vs. Giants; Cardinals set for sprint to the finish — Teammates congratulate St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) who scored on an RBI single by St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna (23) during the first inning during a game between …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Jeff Banister fired as Texas Rangers manager — In the span of four years, Jeff Banister went from first to worst. — He will not get a chance to reverse the club's course again. — With the Rangers headed for a last-place finish and the team's second consecutive losing season …
RELATED:
Chris Vivlamore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
For Markakis, this is what Braves' rebuild has been all about — This is what the Braves' rebuild has been all about. — Just ask Nick Markakis. He's been here for much of it. — Markakis is in his fourth season with the Braves, after nine with the Orioles, after signing as a free agent in 2014.
RELATED:
Chris Vivlamore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Newcomb out of Braves rotation - for now
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
Max Scherzer, Nationals see season slip away; Bryce Harper ejected in loss to Mets — The Washington Post — Even as the Washington Nationals' playoff hopes fade with the September crowds, even as the end settles in slowly like signs of autumn on the heels of a hot summer, possibility lives in Max Scherzer.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Jesse Dougherty / Washington Post:
Bryce Harper is ejected for first time this season in Nationals' loss to Mets
Bryce Harper is ejected for first time this season in Nationals' loss to Mets
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
New York Post:
Red Sox fan electrocuted train surfing from Yankee Stadium — A Red Sox fan on his way home from Yankee Stadium died Wednesday when he tried to climb on top of a Metro-North train and was electrocuted by overhead wires, creating a chaotic situation where riders were trapped for more than two hours, MTA officials and riders said.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, The Sports Daily and Sportsnet.ca
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
A little talk with Cora goes a long way for Mookie
A little talk with Cora goes a long way for Mookie
Discussion:
NESN.com and SBNation.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Where Dominic Smith stands with Mets after lost season … WASHINGTON — Dominic Smith smiles to hide the frustration when his lost season is mentioned. — This was supposed to be the year the Mets discovered if their top pick in the 2013 draft was a viable major league player …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Mets' Wilmer Flores shut down for season because of arthritis in both knees
Mets' Wilmer Flores shut down for season because of arthritis in both knees
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Kent Somers / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' Patrick Kivlehan adds a chapter to his ‘cool story’ — Triple threat? Patrick Kivlehan hits two of them in Diamondbacks' victory over Cubs on Wednesday. — CONNECT — Patrick Kivlehan realizes he might end up being nothing more than a footnote in this Diamondbacks season …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers to honor Steve Garvey, Don Newcombe and Fernando Valenzuela — The Dodgers have not issued jersey No. 34 since Fernando Valenzuela retired two decades ago. They have not retired his number, either. — The Dodgers' standard for retiring a number has been simple and unsparing.
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Where's there's Smoak, there's defence. Is Tellez ready to unseat the veteran 1B? — Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was asked before Friday's game at the Rogers Centre if he has noticed rookie infielder Rowdy Tellez picking Justin Smoak's brain in terms of learning the intricacies of playing first base.
ESPN:
Astros set to host Angels for weekend series — HOUSTON — The standard of expectation is so high for the Houston Astros, reigning World Series champions and possessors of the second-best record in baseball, that any unusually poor performance subsequently demands a lengthy explanation from all the involved parties.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Halos Heaven
RELATED:
Ray Ratto / NBCSports.com:
A's put up 21 runs on Angels, tie second-most in Oakland history
A's put up 21 runs on Angels, tie second-most in Oakland history
Discussion:
NBC Bay Area and MLB Baseball News …