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 …
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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 …
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.
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) …
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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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Selling fans on the White Sox in 2019 will be no easy task — White Sox manager Rick Renteria talks about what the team's young core can accomplish in the season's final eight games and starter Carlos Rodon's downturn in strikeouts on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)
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.
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 — It all comes down to this. — Holding the second National League wild-card spot, the Cardinals (87-69) begin their final homestand of the regular season 7:15 p.m. Monday against NL Central rival Milwaukee for the first of three at Busch Stadium.
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 — Chicago Tribune — While the Cubs were playing the Pirates on Monday night at Wrigley Field, the Brewers and Cardinals faced off in St. Louis in what looks like a precursor to the Oct. 2 National League wild-card game.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jay Jaffe / ESPN:
Division, wild-card races at a glance
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Brew Crew Ball
Benjamin Hochman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
What to anticipate from Yelich and other Brewers hitters against Cards
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and MLB Baseball News …
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
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
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
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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
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants remove Bobby Evans as general manager
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish 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.
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Colorado Rockies resurgence reminiscent of magical 2007 postseason run
Discussion:
Purple Row, CBS Denver, MLB Baseball News … and Associated Press
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Nationals, A's stunned us with their collapse, uprising
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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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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.”
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.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Wondering when Rangers will have their new manager in place? Here's one educated guess — ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Only six games to go, not that anyone is counting, and only two more against Mike Trout. — Here's betting Texas Rangers pitcher are counting that one down.
ESPN:
Wright to be available for Mets vs. Braves — NEW YORK — The end of the final week of the season will be nostalgic and bittersweet for the New York Mets. The beginning will serve to remind the Mets of a past they'd thought was buried, and how far they have to go to catch a familiar foe.
