‘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.

ALCS Game 4 fan interference call among most controversial in MLB postseason history  —  Let the Jeffrey Maier comparisons begin.  —  In the first inning of Wednesday night's ALCS Game 4 between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros, a fan interference call prevented a potential game-tying, two-run homerun for Jose Altuve.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …