Top News:
Jesse Yomtov / Tennessean.com:
Blue Jays closer Ken Giles ‘felt trapped’ during time with Astros — Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles isn't backing down from comments he made about his time with the Houston Astros. — The World Series champions traded Giles to the Blue Jays on July 30, ending his rocky tenure in Houston.
Discussion:
The Commercial Appeal, Houston Chronicle and MLB Baseball News …
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
‘Some as equal, but never any better’: John Gibbons has left his mark in Toronto
ESPN:
Former Astros closer Ken Giles criticizes culture in Houston, draws response from A.J. Hinch
Former Astros closer Ken Giles criticizes culture in Houston, draws response from A.J. Hinch
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs offense hoping to break through against Pirates' Chris Archer — Chicago Tribune — The future is now for the Cubs, who will try to move closer to clinching their third consecutive National League Central title Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. — But they will have to do so against …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bucs Dugout
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Chicago Tribune:
NL Central tracker: Cubs close in on playoff berth, but division title up for grabs — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs have five games left in the regular season. — Their National League Central Division lead is down to a half-game after a 6- loss to the Pirates on Tuesday at Wrigley Field …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon trying not to sweat scenario where Cubs play extra game before postseason
Mark Didtler / Associated Press:
Gary Sanchez drives 3rd-inning outburst as Yankees beat Rays 9-2 — Luis Severino is making his bid to be on the mound and throwing to catcher Gary Sanchez in the New York Yankees' playoff opener. — Severino won his 19th game, the struggling Sanchez drove in four runs …
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Jake Faria struggles in loss to Yankees — ST. PETERSBURG — After being formally eliminated Monday from the postseason chase, the Rays on Tuesday turned their focus to addressing some issues for next season. — One is what to make of RHP Jake Faria, whose follow-up season …
Mark Didtler / Associated Press:
Rays knocked out of playoff contention with 4-1 loss to Yankees
Rays knocked out of playoff contention with 4-1 loss to Yankees
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
David Wright now eligible to play for Mets — NEW YORK — David Wright has been reinstated from the disabled list and added to the New York Mets' active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. — After a long road back from a string of injuries, the 35-year-old team captain …
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Orlando Sentinel:
Mets activate David Wright from DL, but the captain does not play in ugly loss to Braves — David Wright did not get in the game Tuesday night, and his team was not inspired by the captain's presence in the dugout. — After activating their captain from the 60-day disabled list …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards lose control of playoff destiny — The Cardinals no longer control their playoff destiny. — A second consecutive loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, this one by a 12-4 count Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, left them four games behind the Brewers for the first wild-card berth in the National League.
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Joe Lyons / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Brewers win bullpen battle to open series at Busch
Brewers win bullpen battle to open series at Busch
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Kohl Stewart closes out turnaround season in 4-2 Twins loss to Detroit Tigers — Kohl Stewart didn't get his third career victory, but the Twins' rookie right-hander still completed a remarkable career turnaround with six more scoreless innings in Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Twinkie Town
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Bryce Harper says he wants to remain a Nat. ‘But am I in those plans? I have no idea.’ — His jersey hung on a hook at the only locker he has ever known, the home white with HARPER facing out to the clubhouse at Nationals Park. A cardboard box sat in front of him …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Federal Baseball, MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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Travis Sawchik / FiveThirtyEight:
Who Needs Bryce Harper When You Have Aaron Hicks?
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves postseason roster reliant on opponent matchups — The Braves have confidence in who will comprise their postseason roster, though there's still opportunity for some to make the 25-man set. Part of that will be determined by whom the Braves play. — Lefty Max Fried is among those competing for a spot.
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Matt Carlson / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Bauer has solid start for Indians; ChiSox win 5-4 — Trevor Bauer took a step toward returning to Cleveland's rotation for the postseason by tossing four effective innings, but the — Chicago White Sox overcame a two-run, ninth-inning deficit and beat the Indians 5-4 Tuesday night.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Paul Sullivan / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Paul Sullivan: Selling fans on the White Sox in 2019 will be no easy task
Paul Sullivan: Selling fans on the White Sox in 2019 will be no easy task
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Shohei Ohtani To Undergo Tommy John Surgery — Angels starter and DH Shohei Ohtani will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, the club announced to reporters including Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group (via Twitter). While the outcome was expected, it's nevertheless significant …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Halos Heaven
Katherine Fitzgerald / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — Diamondbacks right-hander Shelby Miller threw 16 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, and manager Torey Lovullo says Miller could pitch in a game this weekend in San Diego. — “(He) faced right- and left-handed batters, said that he felt good,” Lovullo said.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Already playing well, Rays' Tommy Pham promises more — Tommy Pham has been doing some impressive things for the Rays since coming off the DL after coming over from the Cardinals in a July 31 trade. — Like hitting .357 in 32 games, posting a 1.087 OPS and reaching base in a career-best 27 straight games …