Top News:
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
In postseason baseball, aces aren't just for starting anymore — Chris Sale is all set to start Game 1 at Fenway Park. If the Boston Red Sox later need him for middle relief, he's ready. Or a setup spot, sure. — “I mean, it's postseason baseball. You have to be prepared for anything,” the All-Star lefty said.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Astros' George Springer back in postseason mode — HOUSTON — Ask Houston manager AJ Hinch to name the best thing about George Springer and he rattles off a laundry list of qualities he admires in the outfielder. — When he finishes that list, he adds a final thought.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
ALCS: Managers Alex Cora, A.J. Hinch share brotherly bond, but now oppose each other — BOSTON — They would argue, aggravate one another, raise their voices, and had days they barely could stand looking at each other. — It was as if A.J. Hinch and Alex Cora were siblings …
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
ALCS preview: Astros should win a closely contested series — A capsule look at the Boston Red Sox-Houston Astros ALCS: — When they matched with the Boston Red Sox in last year's American League Division Series, the Houston Astros seemed unstoppable. They'd bolstered their starting rotation …
Associated Press:
Red Sox, 57-24 at Fenway, hope home-field makes the difference — BOSTON — The Red Sox hope home-field advantage makes a difference after consecutive Division Series eliminations. — Boston began the postseason 0-2 on the road at Cleveland in 2016 and again at Houston last year.
Discussion:
ESPN
Associated Press:
A capsule look at the Astros-Red Sox playoff series — A look at the best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox: — ___ — Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Saturday, at Boston, 8:09 p.m.; Game 2, Sunday, at Boston, 7:09 p.m.; Game 3 …
Alex Reimer / WEEI:
Brock Holt shows support for David Price on D&K: ‘We want him on the mound’ in Game 2
Discussion:
NESN.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees are in good shape at manager as long as Aaron Boone is willing to learn from his 2018 mistakes
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Alex Cora pushed all the right buttons in getting Red Sox to ALCS
Discussion:
NESN.com and Over the Monster
Ted Berg / USA Today:
Why Astros have an edge over the Red Sox in the ALCS
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Houston Chronicle and Over the Monster
Hunter Atkins / Houston Chronicle:
Texas ties abound for Red Sox in ALCS vs. Astros
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Brewers going with Gio Gonzalez in Game 1 of NLCS — MILWAUKEE — Gio Gonzalez will start for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. — The Brewers have chosen Wade Miley to start in Game 2 on Saturday …
RELATED:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers to start Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill in NLCS Games 2, 3 and 4 — MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers will start left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 2, righty Walker Buehler in Game 3 and lefty Rich Hill in Game 4 of their National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Three reasons the Dodgers will beat the Brewers in the NLCS — All we can ask of our league championship series is that the two best teams are involved, which is precisely the case with the National League Championship Series. The Milwaukee Brewers have won 11 in a row …
Discussion:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News …, Brew Crew Ball and CBSSports.com
Jared Wyllys / Sporting News:
Craig Counsell on his managerial journey, style: 'I'm a product of my experiences'
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
Do the Brewers Have the Starting Pitching to Stop the Dodgers?
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Shed Long, who can be a ‘game changer,’ is working on his consistency — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer — SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - A few hours before Shed Long made his debut in the Arizona Fall League Wednesday, Barry Larkin gave a scouting report of the 23-year-old second baseman.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds top prospect Nick Senzel needs surgery on elbow, out 4-6 weeks in offseason
Discussion:
Red Reporter and MLB Trade Rumors
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds star prospect Taylor Trammell working on finding his voice
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies coach Dusty Wathan will interview for Texas Rangers managerial job — Phillies third-base coach Dusty Wathan is among the candidates for the vacant job as the Texas Rangers manager, a source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday night. Wathan, 45, was the runner-up to Gabe Kapler …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News
RELATED:
Associated Press:
AP sources: Rangers do 1st 3 interviews in manager search — The Texas Rangers have done their first interviews in the search to replace fired manager Jeff Banister. — According to people familiar with the details, the Rangers on Thursday interviewed Chicago Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde in Arlington …
Anthony Fenech / USA Today:
What really happened between Detroit Tigers announcers involved in altercation? — At the beginning of the end of Mario and Rod, there was an early afternoon interview on the schedule. There was a comfortable chair in the visiting television booth at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.
RELATED:
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
My pick for Detroit Tigers' next play-by-play announcer
Discussion:
ESPN
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Next wave of Diamondbacks prospects could be their best in years — Geraldo Perdomo glides toward ground balls and gloves tricky hops with no apparent effort. Kristian Robinson hits towering fly balls, doing so with a swing that generates easy power. Alek Thomas sprays balls across the diamond …
