Top News:
Associated Press:
Brewers beat Cubs 3-1 in Game 5 of NL Division Series to earn NLCS matchup with Dodgers — Ending their recent run of playoff frustration earned the Milwaukee Brewers a new nickname from their manager. Pat Murphy has referred to his team as the “Average Joes,” a nod to their small-market status and lack of big names.
Discussion:
Marquee Sports Network, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, The Athletic, NBC Chicago, True Blue LA and Chicago Tribune
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NBCSports.com:
Cubs at Brewers - NLDS Game 5 prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats — The Cubs and Brewers take the field in Milwaukee tonight for Game 5 of their National League Division series with the winner earning the right to play for the National League pennant against the Dodgers.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Marquee Sports Network, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Chicago Sun Times
Associated Press:
Dodgers rolling in defense of World Series title after closing out Phillies to reach NLCS — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to be the first repeat World Series champions in a quarter century, helped along by superb starting pitching, a flame-throwing rookie in the bullpen and strong defense.
Associated Press:
Ian Happ's homer sets the tone for the Cubs in a playoff victory against the Brewers — CHICAGO — With one big swing, Ian Happ sent a charge through an electric crowd of 41,770 at Wrigley Field. — After a rough start to the playoffs, it was a pretty sweet moment for the longest-tenured player with the Chicago Cubs.
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times, The Athletic, Baltimore Sun, MLB.com and Associated Press
Christian Romo / Detroit Free Press:
Frustrated Dan Dickerson drops f-bomb on hot mic after Detroit Tigers' Game 5 ALDS loss — Even the ultimate pro can feel the frustration of the fans in the heat of the moment. — Detroit Tigers radio announcer Dan Dickerson was caught swearing into a live microphone during …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, New York Post, Awful Announcing and The Athletic
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Associated Press:
Polanco hits winning single in the 15th inning as the Mariners beat the Tigers to advance to ALCS — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night …
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, Sportsnet.ca, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB.com, Yahoo Sports, Bless You Boys and Bleacher Report
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Mariners outlast Tigers in 15-inning thriller, advance to ALCS — SEATTLE — After Jorge Polanco singled to end the Mariners' 3-2 victory over the Tigers in 15 innings late Friday night, propelling Seattle to its first American League Championship Series since 2001, a full accounting and assessment could begin.
Dianna Russini / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing on Bill Belichick's future, Eagles fallout and trade deadline rumblings — Once upon a draft night, they were the chosen ones. — Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield, Mac Jones. — They were not all in the same class, but they had similar stories.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, The Ringer, USA Today, New York Post, New York Daily News and Pro Football Rumors
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Yankees' Cody Bellinger plans for free agency, says source — As expected, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next month, a source told ESPN. — Bellinger, 30, has a $25 million player option for next season.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Albert Pujols interviews for Angels job. Will he be best player to ever manage? — Albert Pujols, the future first ballot Hall of Famer, interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels' managerial vacancy on Thursday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, Sportsnet.ca, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Report and Orange County Register
Gordon Wittenmyer / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds don't rule out trading starter for bat, but might be easier said than done — All that starting pitching. All that need on the roster everywhere else. — For a Cincinnati Reds team coming off a rare playoff appearance, an apparent surplus of good-looking rotation pitchers creates …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Orion Kerkering's wild throw ends Phillies' season in their latest playoff disappointment — LOS ANGELES — Eyes red, Orion Kerkering received words of support from his Philadelphia Phillies teammates. — “'Just keep your head up. It's an honest mistake. Just, it's baseball,'” he remembered hearing.
Discussion:
MLB.com, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Phillies Nation and OnPattison
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
What could Japanese star Munetaka Murakami's market look like? — Roki Sasaki is doing his part to help the Dodgers in their quest for a second straight World Series title, but the next Japanese star could be on his way to the Majors in the coming months. — According to sources …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Report
