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Fox Sports:
No doubt: Tigers are World Series-bound — It's over. Not in the mathematical sense, but in the less anal-retentive environs of reality, the ALCS is over. — On Friday, the Oakland A's needed a strong outing from hobbled No. 2 man Rich Harden, and, most important, they needed to take one from the Detroit Tigers.
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Cutoff Man
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Wayne Drehs / ESPN:
Chavez: 'We've run into a better team' … DETROIT — They stand in the quiet locker room and tell you this series isn't over. They tell you they came here to win and that they're not just going to provide a doormat for the Tigers to march their way to their first World Series in 22 years.
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
Associated Press:
Selig ponders postseason changes — Baseball might consider reward for division winners — While the first round of the playoffs is likely to stay a best-of-five series, Wild Card teams might find a tougher road next season, commissioner Bud Selig said Friday.
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
Tigers 3, Athletics 0 — DETROIT (AP) — Kenny Rogers took off his cap, waved it to the crowd and twirled around for all to see. And that sent a real chill to the fans packing Comerica Park. — Because of him, they can really start dreaming about seeing their Detroit Tigers in the World Series.
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
Janie Mccauley / Associated Press:
ALSC: Detroit takes a 3-game lead — DETROIT (AP) — The Big Hurt has been a big bust in the AL championship series. — Same with Nick Swisher and Marco Scutaro. — Frank Thomas and Swisher were the top home-run hitters for the Oakland Athletics this season.
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Cardinals 9, Mets 6 — NEW YORK (AP) — Super subs So Taguchi and Scott Spiezio saved St. Louis on a night when Mets closer Billy Wagner wobbled, allowing the Cardinals to head home with a split in the NL championship series. — Taguchi hit a tiebreaking homer off Billy Wagner leading off …
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Vaunted Mets bullpen lets Game 2 slip away — NEW YORK (AP) — Just as they planned all postseason, the New York Mets built a late cushion and handed it to their vaunted bullpen. — Turns out, that plan was far from foolproof. — Guillermo Mota coughed up a two-run advantage …
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards stun Mets on Taguchi's homer — Reserve outfielder evens NLCS with long ball in ninth — NEW YORK — Maybe it's time for So Taguchi to get some more playing time. — Taguchi's second at-bat of the 2006 postseason ended with his second home run of the 2006 postseason …
WCBS-TV:
A-Rod OK After Plane Skids Off Calif. Runway — Agent Scott Boras Confirms; No Injuries Reported — (CBS/AP) BURBANK, Calif. A private jet, carrying Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and six others, overran a runway at Bob Hope Airport on Friday and was brought to a halt by an arresting system.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rolen surprised, irked by being left on bench — NEW YORK — A slow-growing fissure between Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and his Gold Glove third baseman threatened to rupture Friday when Scott Rolen was benched in favor of Scott Spiezio in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Shea Stadium.
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
A likely new twist to Cubs' list — Padres' Bochy expected to join managerial derby — Just when it appeared the Cubs' managerial search was winding down, a new candidate is expected to land on general manager Jim Hendry's interview list — possibly by today.
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Chicago Tribune
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Skippers scorecard — Lou Piniella: Veteran manager is still …
Skippers scorecard — Lou Piniella: Veteran manager is still …
Discussion:
GROTA
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Negotiations continue for Biggio's return — Veteran's agent confident deal for 2007 will happen soon — HOUSTON — While it's a foregone conclusion that Craig Biggio will be wearing an Astros uniform next year, the club is still in negotiations with the second baseman's agent, Barry Axelrod …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Associated Press:
Former Phillie Johnny Callison dies at 67 … PHILADELPHIA // Johnny Callison, the strong-armed outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who won the 1964 All-Star game with a ninth-inning homer, died at 67. — He died Thursday at Abington Hospital following an illness, Phillies spokesman Larry Shenk said Friday.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Anderson undergoes elbow surgery — Vet has bone chips removed, expected to need three weeks — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Marlon Anderson underwent arthroscopic surgery this week to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts