Top News:
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 …
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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.
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.
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.
Baltimore Sun:
Staff picks for baseball's 2018 American League and National League Championship Series — From left, Manny Machado and the Dodgers face Christian Yelich and the Brewers in the NLCS, while Mookie Betts and the Red Sox take on José Altuve and the Astros in the ALCS. (Associated Press)
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
Ted Berg / USA Today:
Why Astros have an edge over the Red Sox in the ALCS
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Surviving Grady, MLB Baseball News … and Houston Chronicle
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.
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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 …
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
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.)
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
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 — Aaron Boone has a lot to learn. — That's not an indictment on his first year as a manager, it's just a statement of fact. Coming into this assignment with zero experience in management or coaching …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Pinstripe Alley
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
$70M for Gregorius? Five questions Yankees should mull early
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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.
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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
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
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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?
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 …
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 …
