Top News:
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Ups and downs of bullpenning on display as Brewers take Game 1 — MILWAUKEE — The aim of bullpenning is supposed to be to prevent runs, not generate them. Even when it comes to that, it seems the Milwaukee Brewers cannot follow convention. — EDITOR'S PICKS
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Genaro C. Armas / Toronto Sun:
Reliever Woodruff's homer stuns Kershaw, Brewers take Game 1 — MILWAUKEE (AP) The high-five at the plate from Brandon Woodruff nearly took out Lorenzo Cain. — It's not often that reliever hits a home run. — Batting left-handed. Off lefty Clayton Kershaw. In the playoffs.
ESPN:
Saturday LCS guide: Red Sox take aim at the champs; and can the Dodgers even up? — The league championship series started with a bang as the Milwaukee Brewers ran their winning streak to 12 games and handed Clayton Kershaw the shortest postseason start of his career to seize a quick lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker to throw out NLCS 1st pitch — MILWAUKEE — Back in the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2011, the Milwaukee Brewers decided to bring out the big gun, announcing that Mr. Baseball — Bob Uecker — will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday night's Game 1.
Andrew Wagner / UPI:
Dodgers look to clean up their act against Brewers in Game 2 — MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers came up empty against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, but after rallying to within a run in the ninth inning …
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Inside the inning when Brandon Woodruff's swing rocked the NLCS — MILWAUKEE — The inning, which defined Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, was about as unlikely as one you'll see in baseball.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Christian Yelich vs. Clayton Kershaw a matchup we're eager to see
Christian Yelich vs. Clayton Kershaw a matchup we're eager to see
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yankees' Aaron Boone says he was ‘greedy’ with pitching moves in ALDS — NEW YORK — With the benefit of hindsight, New York Yankees first-year manager Aaron Boone admitted Friday that he left starting pitcher Luis Severino in Monday's Game 3 of the American League Division Series too long.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
MLB: Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius needs Tommy John surgery — Yankees star shortstop Didi Gregorius needs Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after injuring himself making a throw in Boston during the AL Division Series, and there's no telling exactly when he'll be able to play again.
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Brian Cashman addresses Yankees' state after disappointing end to promising season
Brian Cashman addresses Yankees' state after disappointing end to promising season
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Boone regrets the way he handled Luis Severino in Game 3, but Yankees are doubling down on Giancarlo Stanton
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Yanks' Didi Gregorius to have Tommy John surgery, miss part of 2019
Yanks' Didi Gregorius to have Tommy John surgery, miss part of 2019
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Pinstripe Alley, New York Post, USA Today, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Didi Gregorius To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Didi Gregorius To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Daily News and Pinstripe Alley
ESPN:
Astros' Justin Verlander: ‘No set number’ of seasons left in career — With one World Series ring in his possession and a second in his sights, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander said he hasn't given any thought as to walking away from baseball after 14 seasons.
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Chris Sale weighs in on Mookie Betts-J.D. Martinez debate for AL MVP — The Boston Red Sox have two viable MVP candidates on their ballclub. — Mookie Betts led the majors with a .346 average and became just the second player in franchise history to join the 30-30 club (32 homers and 30 stolen bases).
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Martin Maldonado won't mind trading in a halo for a ring … If he ever felt any apprehension joining the Houston Astros in the middle of a postseason run as he did this summer, former Angels catcher Martin Maldonado long ago dispelled it. — He said on Friday evening at Fenway Park …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Red Sox deal for Chris Sale will pay postseason dividends for years to come
Red Sox deal for Chris Sale will pay postseason dividends for years to come
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Minor League Ball and Over the Monster
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Ranking the four potential World Series matchups
Ranking the four potential World Series matchups
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Baseball News … and Surviving Grady
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Astros keep finding new ways to dominate
Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Rangers interview Joe Girardi for their open manager job — Joe Girardi was interviewed Friday by the Rangers during their search for a new manager. — Girardi, the former Yankees and Marlins manager, was the first person with big-league managerial experience interviewed by the Rangers …
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sources: Rangers interview former Yankees manager Joe Girardi
Sources: Rangers interview former Yankees manager Joe Girardi
Discussion:
CBSSports.com and Lone Star Ball
USA Today:
Alex Rodriguez wears full Red Sox uniform on air after Yankees' ALDS loss — The bill came due for Alex Rodriguez on Friday night. — On FS1's postgame show after Game 1 of the NLCS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, Rodriguez - longtime star for the Yankees …
Discussion:
SBNation.com, Boston Globe and MLB Baseball News …
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ESPN:
Ryan Braun, Yasiel Puig meet in NLCS two years after near trade — Here's a stupid and obvious thing to say at the start of an article: Two teams are more interesting than one. We could test the Dodgers against an anthropomorphized algorithm, and we could have the Brewers play a simulated opponent …
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:
redsminorleagues.com and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Grant Lavigne / Baseball America:
Pioneer Top 20 — Grand Junction (Rockies) — Age: 19.
Pioneer Top 20 — Grand Junction (Rockies) — Age: 19.
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com and Brew Crew Ball