Top News:
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 …
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Daily Record:
Last Slide — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Choosing a starter for the AL wild card isn't the only item weighing on the Yankees' minds as the regular season rushes to a close. — Their slugging catcher, Gary Sanchez - hitless in four more at-bats, with two more passed balls - remains lost at and behind the plate.
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:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
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 …
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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
Benjamin Hochman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
What to anticipate from Yelich and other Brewers hitters against Cards
Discussion:
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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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Colorado Rockies resurgence reminiscent of magical 2007 postseason run — PHOENIX — The last boys of Rocktober - the most magical period in the Colorado Rockies' history - are working on a sequel. — Baseball's last remaining division race could be one for the ages, bringing back a whole lot of memories.
Discussion:
CBS Denver, Purple Row, MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
Phil Thompson / Orlando Sentinel:
Dylan Covey shines, but White Sox can't touch Corey Kluber in 4-0 loss to Indians — Chicago Tribune — White Sox manager Rick Renteria says Dylan Covey can't do anything to cement a role in the 2019 starting rotation, but Monday night's effort in a 4-0 loss to the AL Central champion Indians certainly doesn't hurt his cause.
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Jay Jaffe / ESPN:
Division, wild-card races at a glance — We're down to the final week of the regular season. The Red Sox, Indians and Braves have clinched their respective divisions, and the Yankees have clinched a wild-card spot. Everything else is up for grabs, though some teams have a firmer grip …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB playoffs: Four burning questions for the final week of regular season — In between champagne showers, so many questions. — As several major league clubs mop up from - or line the lockers in anticipation of - playoff or division-clinching wins, the postseason is bearing down quickly.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
Records that could fall in final week of MLB season — From the difference between teams at the top of the standings and those at the very bottom, to the number of balls in play (or not in play, to be specific), it has been a historic season in the majors. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks trying to balance resting starters while staying competitive — There's no tiptoeing around it. Things have changed for the Diamondbacks after being eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday. — Still, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo insists that …
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager — In a move that comes as no surprise at the end of a second straight losing season, the Giants are removing Bobby Evans as general manager, The Chronicle has learned. — An announcement is expected later Monday.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, McCovey Chronicles and MLB Daily Dish
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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:
Bluebird Banter and The Crawfish Boxes
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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Terrance Gore could provide a late-inning kick to Cubs playoff roster — Chicago Tribune — With the Cubs in position to clinch a National League playoff berth as soon as Monday night, there's reason to start sculpting the 25-man postseason roster. — And given that every run …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jason Heyward's winning ways help him stay calm for the Cubs during pennant races
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies could use Carlos Santana at third base next season — DENVER - Carlos Santana had not played an inning at third base in more than four years before he found himself standing there last month. By moving the first baseman across the diamond, manager Gabe Kapler was able to bring Rhys Hoskins …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Red Sox manager? Ron Darling? Outside-the-box options to save Mets — Earlier this month I recommended Chris Marinak to be hired to run the Mets' baseball operations department. — I believe MLB's current executive VP of strategy, technology and innovation possesses a skill set for a unique job …
Discussion:
WEEI
