Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
NL Championship Series matchups we can't wait to see — Here are five matchups to watch in the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers: — As ESPN researcher Paul Hembekides noted on the podcast Wednesday, the Brewers have had great success …
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Christian Yelich vs. Clayton Kershaw a matchup we're eager to see — MILWAUKEE — If a best-of-seven playoff series can have a tone-setting moment in the first inning of Game 1, then make sure you're watching Friday night when all-world pitcher Clayton Kershaw takes on National League MVP favorite Christian Yelich.
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Ranking the four potential World Series matchups — Ten teams survived the regular season for a chance to win a World Series title. — After the division series, four teams remain — the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Surviving Grady
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Those rooting for a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series are going to be disappointed — Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts, left, and former Oriole and current Los Angeles Dodgers standout Manny Machado, right, could face off in the World Series. — No one can blame the World Series television rights holder …
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
As Dodgers win big with extreme platooning, a theme emerges: ‘Throw your ego out the door’ — MILWAUKEE - Max Muncy and his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates were only a few minutes into their charter flight to the National League Championship Series on Thursday afternoon when it was determined Muncy …
ESPN:
Your Friday NLCS guide: Can Dodgers stop Milwaukee's momentum? — Let's go already! — It seems like it has been weeks since we've seen the Brewers and Dodgers play. (Actually Milwaukee has been idle since completing its sweep of the Rockies on Sunday, and L.A. has been off since eliminating the Braves on Monday.)
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers to start Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill in NLCS Games 2, 3 and 4
Baltimore Sun:
Staff picks for baseball's 2018 American League and National League Championship Series
Jon Tayler / Sports Illustrated:
Do the Brewers Have the Starting Pitching to Stop the Dodgers?
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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.
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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.
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Yankees and Red Sox determined their fates in the offseason with these two moves — In performing the post-mortems on American League Division Series - specifically what went wrong for the Yankees and what went right for the Red Sox - it is now fair to say these two teams were defined by what they did last winter.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
ALCS: Managers Alex Cora, A.J. Hinch share brotherly bond, but now oppose each other
Discussion:
Climbing Tal's Hill, The Athletic and Beyond the Box Score
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
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Didi Gregorius To Undergo Tommy John Surgery — Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed a ligament tear in his right elbow, manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters today (all Twitter links via The Athletic's Marc Carig). He'll require Tommy John surgery …
Discussion:
New York Daily News, MLB Baseball News …, Pinstripe Alley and FanGraphs Baseball
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
$70M for Gregorius? Five questions Yankees should mull early
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sources: Rangers interviewing former Yankees manager Joe Girardi — The Rangers have added a fourth external candidate to their managerial search and it's a big name with a big ring: Joe Girardi. — According to two sources, Girardi, who managed the New York Yankees for 10 seasons …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Baseball America:
Arizona League Top 20 Prospects — Brayan Rocchio — AZL Indians — Age: 17. B-T: B-R. Ht: 5-10. Wt: 150. — Signed: Venezuela, 2017. — Rocchio's reputation for advanced instincts and game awareness preceded his early July arrival in the Arizona League.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Grant Lavigne / Baseball America:
Pioneer Top 20 — Grand Junction (Rockies) — Age: 19.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Astros keep finding new ways to dominate — An old Tom Seaver quote explains a lot about the success of the Houston Astros: “The good rising fastball is the best pitch in baseball.” — Now, we know a fastball can't actually rise. So what was Seaver talking about?
Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Randy Cesar, Ryan Hartman named Hooks Players of the Year for 2018 season — Infielder Randy Cesar and pitcher Ryan Hartman were each named the Hooks Players of the Year, the team announced on Thursday. — Cesar was a midseason and postseason Texas League All-Star and also set …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Will Kyle Schwarber be traded? 5 offseason questions for the Cubs about their outfielders — Chicago Tribune — This is the fifth in a series of position-by-position analyses about the Cubs entering the offseason. — Given the pleas from his supporters for more playing time …
Tim Bannon / Chicago Tribune:
7 things to know about the ‘Steve Bartman game,’ 15 years later — The Steve Bartman incident occurred at Wrigley Field on Oct. 14, 2003, during Game 6 of the NLCS between the Cubs and Marlins. — Chicago Tribune — The “Steve Bartman game,” otherwise known as Game 6 …
