Top News:
Mark Didtler / Associated Press:
Rays knocked out of playoff contention with 4-1 loss to Yankees — Brett Gardner and the Yankees dropped the Rays from the playoff picture. — The players who combined for the run that clinched the New York Yankees' postseason berth are both hurt. — Aaron Hicks injured his left hamstring running …
RELATED:
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Didi Gregorius confident he'll return before postseason — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Injured New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius confidently said Monday he believes he will be back in the starting lineup before the regular season ends. — “Yes,” Gregorius said at his Tropicana …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks exits Yankees game with tight hamstring — The Yankees suffered yet another potential blow to their playoff hopes on Monday night as the second wind of the injury bug continues to hit them at the exact wrong time. — Aaron Hicks left the game against the Rays in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Trevor Story returns to Colorado Rockies' lineup — DENVER — Trevor Story is going over the top to get back on the field, altering his throwing motion to take some of the stress off his sore right elbow. — The Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop returned to the lineup Monday night after missing a week with the ailment.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — If there were good news for the Diamondbacks on Monday, it was modest in nature and it came via the out-of-town scoreboard. The Colorado Rockies won big over at Coors Field, meaning that no matter what happens here with the Los Angeles Dodgers this week …
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks trying to balance resting starters while staying competitive
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Colorado Rockies resurgence reminiscent of magical 2007 postseason run
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Baseball News …, CBS Denver and Associated Press
ESPN:
Kluber gunning for career-high 20th win vs. WhiteSox — Cleveland Indians Trevor Bauer missed more than a month because of a stress fracture in his right fibula. — Now, the immensely talented 27-year-old will return to the scene of the crime. — Bauer (12-6, 2.21 ERA) …
RELATED:
Joe Lyons / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Brewers score late in 6-4 victory over Cardinals — The Milwaukee Brewers assured themselves of leaving St. Louis ahead of the Cardinals, coming away with a 6-4 victory Monday night before 36,508 in the series-opener at Busch Stadium. — The win, coupled with Pittsburgh's 5-1 victory …
RELATED:
Joe Lyons / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals, Brewers begin key final-week series at Busch
Discussion:
Associated Press
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Facing a division rival in the playoffs can be a blessing or a curse for the Cubs
Jay Jaffe / ESPN:
Division, wild-card races at a glance
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
McCann, Reddick go back-to-back, Astros beat Blue Jays 5-3 — Dallas Keuchel (12-11) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings for his first win since Sept. 3 against Minnesota. — TORONTO (AP) - Brian McCann and Josh Reddick hit back-to-back home runs, and the Houston Astros beat …
RELATED:
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Sanchez shut down, Estrada knocked around as Jays fall to Astros — As Marco Estrada prepared for what was likely his final Rogers Centre start as a Blue Jay on Monday night, there was a noticeable absence to the left of his locker. — That would be the clubhouse home …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Bluebird Banter
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB playoffs: Four burning questions for the final week of regular season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Gideon Rubin / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Mitchell, Yates combine on 7-hitter, Padres top Giants 5-0 — Bryan Mitchell struck out seven in 8 2/3 strong innings, — Jose Pirela had a homer among his three hits, and the — San Francisco Giants 5-0 Monday night. — The Giants lost their fifth straight game hours after the team announced …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
Giants GM Bobby Evans out amid another losing season — Bobby Evans is out as San Francisco Giants general manager “effective immediately” and will be reassigned, the team said Monday in a news release. — Executive vice president Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy are expected to be retained.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
NY Mets traded Matt Harvey, turned in a wrong lineup and will send off David Wright — Mickey Callaway on being ejected against the Nationals Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — A season that started with such high hopes ended early once again. — Despite an 11-1 start …
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Red Sox manager? Ron Darling? Outside-the-box options to save Mets
Discussion:
WEEI
Associated Press:
Red Sox beat Orioles 6-2 to clinch home field through Series — BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox were still shaking hands on the field when the “106” went up in the win column of the AL East standings that are posted on the Green Monster. — Scoreboards flashed “106 Wins.”
RELATED:
Jared Diamond / Wall Street Journal:
Red Sox Hope Price Is Right for October
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
The Phillies were progressive, but did they progress? | Bob Ford — Gabe Kapler, who is about to complete his rookie year as a major-league manager, has proved during this up-then-down Phillies season to be a master of relentless optimism and encouragement in the face of events that didn't always lend themselves to those.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman: It's a new era for starting pitchers — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer — MIAMI - It's not a new concept that starting pitchers are more likely to give up runs the deeper they pitch into a game. But the numbers paint a stark reality.
