Top News:
D.J. Short / NBCSports.com:
MLB Power Rankings: Brewers, Phillies clinch playoff spots, Mariners surging, races galore — Featured in this week's MLB Power Rankings, we've officially entered clinching season, the Mariners surge into first place, the final spot in the NL Wild Card race is up for grabs …
Discussion:
MLB.com, New Jersey Online and Yahoo Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Brewers first in MLB to clinch playoff spot — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have become the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season. — According to MLB, the New York Mets' 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday sealed at least a National League wild card for the Brewers …
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, AZ Snake Pit, Crashing the Pearly Gates and The Good Phight
ESPN:
Mariners' Cal Raleigh ties record, sets another with 54th home run — SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle's season record for most home runs by a switch hitter with his 54th, and the Seattle Mariners extended their winning streak to nine by routing the Los Angeles Angels 11-2 Sunday …
Discussion:
The Bandwagon and The Athletic
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cal Raleigh matches Mantle, M's beat Angels, take sole possession of AL West lead with 9th win in row — SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle's season record for most home runs by a switch hitter with his 54th, and the Seattle Mariners extended their winning streak to nine by routing …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Sportsnet.ca, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Lookout Landing and World Baseball Network
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants calling up top prospect Bryce Eldridge to help their playoff bid — With 13 games left in the season and the team still in the pennant race, the San Francisco Giants are calling up their top prospect, first baseman Bryce Eldridge, the Chronicle has learned.
Associated Press:
Odds by Looking for a pesky spoiler? The Athletics just swept the Reds — and have been above .500 since the break — It won't exactly make up for the 1990 World Series — won by Cincinnati in a sweep over Oakland — but the Athletics played the role of spoiler to perfection after they won three straight over the Reds.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
The Athletic:
Mets likely moving Sean Manaea to bullpen temporarily as losing streak continues — NEW YORK — With their starting rotation in constant flux, the Mets are planning to temporarily move Sean Manaea to the bullpen. Manaea will be available out of the pen for the Mets in Sunday's series finale with the Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
New York Post, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue and New York Daily News
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Yanks' Volpe won't start in Red Sox series after cortisone shot — BOSTON — New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is unlikely to start any of the team's three games against the Boston Red Sox this weekend as he recovers from receiving a cortisone shot in his injured left shoulder …
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors and The Athletic
Associated Press:
Dodgers put All-Star catcher Will Smith on 10-day injured list with bruised right hand — All-Star catcher Will Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday by the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a bruised right hand. The move was made retroactive to Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB.com
Associated Press:
Kurtz hits 493-foot grand slam, longest MLB homer this season — Nick Kurtz launched a 493-foot grand slam — the longest home run in the majors this season — and the Athletics hammered Hunter Greene early in an 11-5 victory Saturday night over the Cincinnati Reds.
Discussion:
CNN, World Baseball Network and Redleg Nation
Associated Press:
Astros receive injury scare as 9-time All-Star Jose Altuve leaves game with right foot discomfort — ATLANTA — The Houston Astros received an injury scare in Saturday night's 6-2 win over the Atlanta Braves when nine-time All-Star Jose Altuve was pulled after complaining of right foot discomfort.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Sportsnet.ca
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Jazz Chisholm Jr. on Yankees' surge: 'We're the team to beat' — BOSTON — The New York Yankees outlasted the Boston Red Sox for the second straight day Saturday, beating their rivals 4-3 in front of a sellout crowd at Fenway Park to expand their lead for the top American League wild-card spot to 1½ games.
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, Pinstripe Alley, New York Daily News and Boston.com
Associated Press:
Jacob deGrom gets present in Citi Field return: a six-run lead before throwing his first pitch — NEW YORK — Jacob deGrom received a gift in his Citi Field return: not just a video tribute but a six-run lead before he threw a pitch. — A montage of the slender star's highlights flashed across …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Dallas Morning News, The Athletic, Just Baseball and New Jersey Online
