‘If Boston wins this series, then Joe West is the MVP’: Fans at center of controversial call tell all  —  HOUSTON — The thought has crossed the mind of just about anyone who's ever attended a baseball game: See the ball, try to catch the ball.  —  For two men, that might be worth rethinking now.

Jose Altuve HR controversy could happen in a lot of MLB parks, including Yankee Stadium  —  NEW YORK - From a Bronx perspective, this was Jeffrey Maier in reverse on Wednesday night.  —  A Houston fan in the Astros' park gets involved with Jose Altuve's deep fly ball to right …

The Brewers went from unbeatable to the brink of elimination.  They need to wake up.  —  The Washington Post  —  Christian Yelich shook his head as he ducked into the Milwaukee Brewers dugout at Dodgers Stadium on Wednesday, his evening finished without a hit, his team reeling toward another loss …

Dodgers' Max Muncy finds his swing against Brewers' unpredictable bullpen  —  Max Muncy stood at the plate one botched swing away from what would have been his third strikeout of the game.  But this time, he knew what to do.  —  In his third at-bat against Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff on Wednesday …

This is how the Royals roster will look in 2019, GM Dayton Moore says  —  At some point last summer, as the Royals trod toward 104 losses, general manager Dayton Moore essentially banned a word from the lingo of front-office personnel.  —  Rebuild.  —  The designation seemed rather suitable …

Offseason renovations resume at Wrigley Field — and the Captain Morgan Club is the first to go  —  Renovations are underway at Wrigley Field on Oct. 17, 2018, in Chicago.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Captain got the hook.  —  Offseason renovations at Wrigley Field have begun …

Cincinnati Reds blog: Ballclub is willing to pay to get its next manager  —  Three things are apparent with word the Cincinnati Reds are bringing back David Bell, Brad Ausmus and Joe Girardi for second interviews:  — The Reds are willing to spend money to get their guy.  Girardi would not be on the list otherwise.

Rangers already searching for the ‘smoking gun’ of their injury woes in recent seasons  —  This has been a season of introspection for the Rangers.  What they found led to the firing of a manager and the shuffling of front-office responsibilities.  —  One problem area is not so easily resolved.

Peter Alonso, Mets 1B prospect, continues to produce in Arizona Fall League  —  Mets assistant general manager John Ricco on Peter Alonso Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  Every time the Mets tested first baseman Peter Alonso this past season, the first baseman passed the challenge with flying colors.

Detroit Tigers' next TV announcers: Insider's look at whom FSD may get  —  Tigers broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen got into a physical altercation.  It was known by many that they are not close friends.  Wochit, Detroit Free Press  —  CONNECT  —  The search began unofficially on Sept. 7 …

Cubs' prescription for a better offense: Improved health and focus  —  Chicago Tribune  —  How do you fix an offense productive enough to contribute to a 95-win season?  —  The Cubs took the first step toward addressing their flaws when they dropped hitting coach Chili Davis for Anthony Iapoce.

MLB says Astros didn't cheat, considers ‘the matter closed’  —  CLEVELAND — The Houston Astros didn't cheat.  They didn't want to get cheated.  —  That's their story, and Major League Baseball agrees.  —  Following an investigation into two incidents this postseason …