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:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Brett Gardner has one more Yankees moment, and possibly one more October run left — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - There's a wild card game to win, a World Series to pursue. Plenty of drama for Yankees Universe to consume. — But there ought to be room this week to appreciate the pinstriped career of Brett Gardner.
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 …
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians' Corey Kluber becomes 20-game winner with victory over Chicago White Sox — Cleveland Indians starter Corey Kluber became a 20-game winner with Monday's victory over the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. — Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber is a 20-game winner.
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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.”
Discussion:
Over the Monster and CBS Boston
RELATED:
Jared Diamond / Wall Street Journal:
Red Sox Hope Price Is Right for October
Red Sox Hope Price Is Right for October
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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 …
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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:
The Crawfish Boxes and Bluebird Banter
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB playoffs: Four burning questions for the final week of regular season
MLB playoffs: Four burning questions for the final week of regular season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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
Colorado Rockies resurgence reminiscent of magical 2007 postseason run
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Baseball News …, Lansing State Journal and CBS Denver
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Midseason moves may have impacted Phillies chemistry | Extra Innings — Imagine if someone told you, after the Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Marlins on Aug. 5 and improved to 63-48, that they would have a .500 record only seven weeks later. As Richie Ashburn undoubtedly would've said, “Hard to believe, Harry.”
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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.
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies could use Carlos Santana at third base next season
Phillies could use Carlos Santana at third base next season
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and MLB Baseball News …
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
Giants GM Bobby Evans out amid another losing season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager
Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle, NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, 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 …
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Red Sox manager? Ron Darling? Outside-the-box options to save Mets
Red Sox manager? Ron Darling? Outside-the-box options to save Mets
Discussion:
WEEI
Nick Stellini / Baseball Prospectus:
What You Need To Know: Cubs L But Cole Hamels HRs! — The Monday Takeaway — The Cubs lost to the Pirates, but we're not here to talk about that. Not exactly that, anyways. Part of that. — Chicago lost 5-1. Here's the “1” part: … Look at that sweet, beautiful swing. That's a power swing.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
Cardinals, Brewers begin key final-week series at Busch
Discussion:
Associated Press
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
‘Good night, Mr. Young’: A's closer Blake Treinen on Cy-worthy run — During a recent homestand, Blake Treinen was on his way out of the Oakland Coliseum when he passed by a security guard who addressed him as “Ty.” Although the Oakland Athletics' closer was confused, he didn't think much of it at the time.
Jesse Dougherty / Washington Post:
Stephen Strasburg not worried about his shaky start against the Marlins — Stephen Strasburg wore his emotions for parts of Monday night, throughout four waterlogged innings that called for his ability to grind through a start without his usual velocity or command.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball