Top News:
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs counting on Javier Baez to keep them covered at shortstop — CHICAGO — If there wasn't enough riding on the shoulders of Chicago Cubs MVP candidate Javier Baez before, then there is now, as he'll take over the full-time shortstop duties while teammate Addison Russell is on administrative leave …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester says Cubs not ready to celebrate yet: 'Whoa, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves' — Chicago Tribune — After the Cubs trimmed their magic number to six Saturday night, a persnickety reporter asked Jon Lester if he was feeling a sense of anticipation in regards to clinching …
Chicago Tribune:
NL Central tracker: Can Cubs hold off Brewers in quest for 3rd straight division title?
NL Central tracker: Can Cubs hold off Brewers in quest for 3rd straight division title?
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Why have the Red Sox won almost 20 games more than the Indians? — Going into the season, I thought the Cleveland Indians would be better than the Boston Red Sox. Not a lot better, a little better. But better. — EDITOR'S PICKS — My opinion on this matter was based on numbers …
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Toronto Sun:
Yankees ride Happ in series finale with Orioles — NEW YORK — For the New York Yankees, the question is do they start J.A. Happ in the wild-card game or hold off on using him until a possible division series matchup with the Boston Red Sox. — Based on the fact Happ is lined …
Steve Herrick / Associated Press:
Michael Brantley single in 11th lifts Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox 5-4 — The win delayed Boston's bid for a club-record 106th victory and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. — CLEVELAND (AP) - Michael Brantley singled in the winning run in the 11th inning …
Logan Mullen / NESN.com:
Red Sox Wrap: Boston Falls To Indians 5-4 In 11-Inning Thriller
Red Sox Wrap: Boston Falls To Indians 5-4 In 11-Inning Thriller
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and MLB Baseball News …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Inside Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez's final game, start to finish — Victor Martinez, the 39-year-old designated hitter, is retiring after the 2018 season. Free Press sports writer Ryan Ford takes a look at his career. Wochit — CONNECT — The hardest part, Victor Martinez said, was the drive to the ballpark.
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
J.A. Happ could be AL wild card starter, but Yankees say they're still weighing options — Pete Caldera, Staff Writer, @pcaldera — NEW YORK — J.A. Happ just might be the Yankees' choice to start the AL wild card game, though it's hard for the veteran lefty to publicly campaign for that assignment.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
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Stefan Bondy / Baltimore Sun:
Yankees continue to bet on potential over production with slumping Gary Sanchez, who will …
Yankees continue to bet on potential over production with slumping Gary Sanchez, who will …
Discussion:
New York Daily News and Star Tribune
Associated Press:
Dodgers hit 3 home runs in 7-2 win over Padres — LOS ANGELES — Manny Machado caught his wife's first pitch before the game and hit a three-run homer to notch the first 100 RBI season of his career. — “It can't get any better than this,” Machado said. — Except maybe reaching the World Series and winning.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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New York Daily News:
Mets one-hit by Nats in meaningless loss between preseason NL-East favorites — The two teams originally favored to compete for an NL East title played meaningless baseball Saturday. — But the Nats got revenge on the Mets for playing a role in Washington's elimination from postseason contention …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Associated Press and Amazin' Avenue
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Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' need for more effective lefty reliever magnified in 6-0 loss to Nats
Mets' need for more effective lefty reliever magnified in 6-0 loss to Nats
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Amazin' Avenue and New York Post
Associated Press:
Astros rally for 9 runs in 8th, beats Angels 10-5 — Justin Verlander reached double digits in strikeouts for the third straight outing and has 12 such games this season. — HOUSTON — Justin Verlander struck out 11 in six dominant innings, Jose Altuve capped a nine-run eighth with a two-run homer …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Brian Snitker's journey reaches latest apex: the playoffs — Brian Snitker devoted 42 years to the Braves. On Saturday afternoon, the latest pinnacle of his commitment was realized. — The manager, who took over as interim in May 2016, hugged bench coach Walt Weiss after the final …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen will be limited to 60-70 pitches in his 2nd start — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer — MIAMI - As Michael Lorenzen prepares to make his second start of the season Sunday against the Miami Marlins, he will throw again with another pitch count.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Martinez thriving in closer role; Flaherty will open Brewers series — Adam Wainwright has stood where Carlos Martinez stands. Both at the start of a game, and at the end. — In 2006, Wainwright became the Cardinals' closer at the end of that World Series championship season when Jason Isringhausen got hurt.
Detroit Free Press:
Last Slide — It was hot as hell the day Eddie Guardado's life changed, probably 90 degrees as he ran from foul pole to foul pole on a summer day in 1992, trying to sweat out the struggles that had the young right-hander questioning his baseball-playing future.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Photos: Cardinals win with walk-off homer — The Cardinals beat the Giants on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. — 1 of 32 — St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina (4) is congratulated by teammate Jedd Gyorko (3) after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant out of Cubs lineup; Yoan Moncada leads off for White Sox — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant is out of the Cubs lineup Sunday as they try to win the third and deciding game of the City Series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. — Bryant is 2-for-10 this series.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sandy Leon gives Boston a new Tek solution behind the plate — CLEVELAND — Sandy Leon was raised by his parents to be respectful, to treat others the right way, to act the right way. He could have fun and run around and play with his friends in Maracaibo, Venezuela, but at the Leon dinner table …