Top News:
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.
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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.
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 — 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 …
Discussion:
Climbing Tal's Hill, The Athletic and Beyond the Box Score
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Alex Cora pushed all the right buttons in getting Red Sox to ALCS
Discussion:
NESN.com and Over the Monster
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
Ted Berg / USA Today:
Why Astros have an edge over the Red Sox in the ALCS
Discussion:
Surviving Grady, MLB Baseball News …, Houston Chronicle and Over the Monster
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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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.)
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 …
Discussion:
ESPN
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:
Kershaw, Gonzalez open NLCS for Dodgers, Brewers — MILWAUKEE — The last thing Gio Gonzalez expected six weeks ago was to be the Game 1 starter in the National League Championship Series. — The veteran left-hander had slogged through a frustrating season with the Nationals and was 7-11 …
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Three reasons the Dodgers will beat the Brewers in the NLCS
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bleacher Report, 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
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:
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?
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 …
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 …
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.
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