Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Justin Verlander delivered the one thing worth remembering about Game 1 — victory — BOSTON — At times, Game 1 of the American League Championship Series devolved into a comedy of errors and miscues, looking more like a rec league softball game between two teams that were sipping from can of Natty Light between innings.
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Ted Berg / Courier-Journal:
Red Sox biggest postseason concern exposed: Can pitching compete with Astros? — BOSTON — October baseball has a way of blinding us to regular-season realities. — We can understand, rationally, that the outcome of one individual baseball game is never reliably predictive and that great teams …
Discussion:
USA Today
ESPN:
Your Sunday ALCS guide: Can the Red Sox bounce back? — It wasn't the most crisp win in postseason history, but the Astros ground down the Red Sox bullpen to notch a 7-2 victory in Fenway Park in the first game of the American League Championship Series. Will they be able to expand …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Flawless Astros will be very hard to beat if they play like this — BOSTON — The only way for anyone to stop the Houston Astros from winning back-to-back World Series championships is by playing perfect baseball. — The Astros are too talented, a team without obvious flaws.
Brandon Scott / KHOU-TV:
LIVE BLOG: Reddick, Gurriel blasts provide insurance runs for Astros in Game 1 of ALCS — This is a series between baseball's two strongest teams. — 10:50 p.m. Yuli Gurriel put the final touches on an Astros victory in Game 1 of the ALCS with a three-run home run. — The Astros beat the Red Sox 7-2 at Fenway.
ESPN:
Red Sox's Chris Sale makes early exit from ALCS Game 1 — BOSTON — Red Sox ace Chris Sale made an early exit in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros. — Sale lasted just four innings Saturday night, giving up two runs on one hit and four walks as Boston dropped the series opener 7-2.
Ted Berg / USA Today:
Justin Verlander, like many pitchers, improved immediately upon joining the Astros — BOSTON — When Justin Verlander takes the mound Saturday night for Game 1 of the ALCS, he'll do so as one of baseball's most recognizable players: A seven-time All-Star, a former Cy Young and MVP Award winner …
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Three reasons the Astros will beat the Red Sox in the ALCS
Three reasons the Astros will beat the Red Sox in the ALCS
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Buckle up for an epic ALCS as 108-win Red Sox and 103-win Astros collide
Buckle up for an epic ALCS as 108-win Red Sox and 103-win Astros collide
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
NLCS: Turner, Dodgers beat Brewers to even series — • Justin Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers know all about performing in the postseason. — Backed into a tough spot Saturday, the red-headed slugger delivered — again. — Shut down for most of the afternoon …
Discussion:
Leader-Telegram
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Hall of Famer Jim Palmer criticizes Manny Machado for lack of hustle in Game 2 of NLCS — Manny Machado's baserunning in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series did not go unnoticed. — The Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop was roasted on social media and during the Fox Sports broadcast …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Justin Turner shrugs off 0-for-5 night to spark Dodgers' Game 2 win — MILWAUKEE — It was admittedly the worst game of his career and one of the worst games in baseball history. Justin Turner — among the sport's hottest hitters since the start of August, including in a first-round playoff series …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Justin Turner bounces back and becomes Dodgers' Game 2 hero in 4-3 victory over Brewers
Justin Turner bounces back and becomes Dodgers' Game 2 hero in 4-3 victory over Brewers
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
After bad Game 1, Yasmani Grandal out of starting lineup for Game 2
After bad Game 1, Yasmani Grandal out of starting lineup for Game 2
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Dodgers' relievers taking focus on Brewers' bullpen personally
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Ups and downs of bullpenning on display as Brewers take Game 1
Ups and downs of bullpenning on display as Brewers take Game 1
Discussion:
Cubs Insider
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
NLCS Game 1: Yasmani Grandal's historic defensive horror show puts Dodgers in early hole vs. Brewers
NLCS Game 1: Yasmani Grandal's historic defensive horror show puts Dodgers in early hole vs. Brewers
Discussion:
Cubs Insider
Genaro C. Armas / Toronto Sun:
Reliever Woodruff's homer stuns Kershaw, Brewers take Game 1
Reliever Woodruff's homer stuns Kershaw, Brewers take Game 1
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Brew Crew Ball and AZ Snake Pit
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Why the Dodgers are in big trouble — and why they might be just fine
Andrew Wagner / UPI:
Dodgers look to clean up their act against Brewers in Game 2
Dodgers look to clean up their act against Brewers in Game 2
Discussion:
True Blue LA
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Red Sox's David Price still seeking elusive win in postseason start — BOSTON — If a pitcher with 143 career wins in the majors, including 16 in 2018, needs a boost of confidence, maybe Alex Cora gave just that to David Price immediately following Game 4 of the American League Division Series …
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Ryan Hannable / WEEI:
David Price doesn't know what he's learned from past postseason starts, but says success is coming
David Price doesn't know what he's learned from past postseason starts, but says success is coming
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Reds Xtra: The snowball started rolling downhill six years ago — We're a couple days past the sixth anniversary of what for at least one man — me — believes is the game or the moment that led to the predicament the Reds are in. — Game 5, National League Division Series, Reds versus the San Francisco Giants, the bottom of ninth.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' rebuild going in right direction, but no end is in sight — What do I think? — I get that question a lot, from readers and fans, friends and my barber, strangers who want to know when they'll watch winning baseball in Detroit again. — I think the Detroit Tigers are going in the right direction.