Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Master motivator working magic again — NEW YORK — If Gary Sheffield had never played for Jim Leyland or won a championship with him in 1997 with the Marlins, he probably would respect Leyland's managing from afar. — But because he has played for him, he believes that Leyland's motivational skills win postseason games.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
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Bob Herzog / Greenwich Time:
Th-uhh-uhh Yankees Win! — Of course the season turned in Boston. Where else? It's been a Yankees-Red Sox story line throughout the Joe Torre Era and it has become more intensified since 2003, when Boston clearly closed the gap between the two AL East powers.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankee Lineup Leaves Tigers Little Room for Error — Todd Jones threw 45 pitches Sunday, all in vain. He retreated to the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at Comerica Park and took off his spikes. All around him were T-shirts and caps, placed neatly at each locker, billing the Tigers as champions of the American League Central.
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Inside the Matchups - Yankees vs. Tigers — A year ago we asked a major-league scout for his division series prediction and he gave us Angels in five - hitting it exactly right. So this season, we went back to the same scout for his analysis and - fortunately for Yankees fans …
Discussion:
Canyon of Heroes
Lee Panas / Tiger Tales:Playoff Preview: Tigers Versus Yankees
Discussion:
The Detroit Tiger Weblog, The Wayne Fontes Experience, WasWatching.com and Mack Avenue Tigers
Keith Law / ESPN:
Cards' hitters an undisciplined lot … In three games last week at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals lost the first two to the Padres and only won the third because Cla Meredith threw a fastball intended to run in on Albert Pujols out over the plate ... and Pujols hit it into Illinois.
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Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Healthy Peavy ready for Game 1 start — Padres ace hopes to atone for injury-marred outing last year — SAN DIEGO — When Padres pitcher Jake Peavy walked up the podium steps Monday to discuss his feelings about starting Game 1 of the National League Division Series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Four ways to pitch to Pujols - ball, ball, ball, ball — You want to know how to pitch to Albert Pujols? It's easy. You don't. — You put him on. You issue an intentional walk. You let Pujols pass Go and collect $200 if that's what it takes to keep the ball in the ballpark.
Associated Press:
As expected, Marlins fire Girardi after one year — MIAMI — Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi was fired Tuesday, a move that had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago. — Girardi lost his job even though he's considered …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs part ways with Baker — Manager not offered extension following 2006 campaign — CHICAGO — Dusty Baker didn't take any questions on Monday after the Cubs announced they were not renewing his contract. There was nothing left to be said. — Baker is gone after four seasons in Chicago …
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:He can manage up storm — Piniella has credentials to thrive …
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Jackson, Wallace out — Red Sox part ways with pair of coaches — The Red Sox, in the wake of their third-place finish, severed ties with pitching coach Dave Wallace and hitting coach Ron ``Papa Jack" Jackson yesterday, and only two members of Terry Francona's coaching staff …
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
It should be a tough day for hitters — Santana faces off against Zito in battle of Cy Young winners — MINNEAPOLIS — For a playoff matchup that was literally thrown together at the eleventh hour, Oakland and Minnesota found a way to super Cy-ize the opener.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
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ESPN:
Prosecutor, Grimsley's attorney: Story inaccurate — The federal prosecutor overseeing an investigation of steroids in baseball and the attorney for former pitcher Jason Grimsley questioned a news report indicating five players, including Roger Clemens, had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Larry Stewart / Los Angeles Times:
Morgan to Turn Broadcast Doubleheader in N.Y. — TV commentator to get a police escort so he can cover playoff games at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on the same day. — Joe Morgan will have rare doubleheader duty Wednesday as ESPN's lead baseball commentator works the Dodgers-Mets playoff opener …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Fans of Yankees and Mets Cast a Wary Eye at the Other Side — If a 15th Subway Series is nigh, it is time to study anew the passions of Mets and Yankees fans. Or, to demonstrate scrupulous objectivity, let us also refer to them as Yankees and Mets fans. — There is, evidence shows …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Playoff Health Report, Divisional Series — Why are these called the "Division Series?" I've never gotten a good answer. They don't decide divisions. Those are now all decided and six winners, plus two wild cards, head into the playoffs with questions.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Hartford Courant:
Breaking Down The Series — Catcher — Jorge Posada, Yankees vs. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers — Posada was rejuvenated by coach Tony Pena, throwing out 37.3 percent of base stealers, his best percentage since 1998. Offensively, he had one of his best years, and this time came on strong at the end …
