Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals take 2-1 lead over Mets in NLCS — What does it mean when lightning strikes both sides of Spruce Street within the same block and the same 13 months? — What does it mean when a 97-win team glances up from its sixth postseason game to discover its bullpen has worked more than its starting rotation?
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NY Daily News:
Mets need place to run and hide — Bumbling at Busch, and now feeling pressure — ST. LOUIS - The minutes were ticking by long after the game had ended, and there wasn't a Met to be found in the visitors' clubhouse. Twenty minutes, 30 minutes, and the only player answering …
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
NLCS: Mets vs. Cardinals: Jeff Suppan Masters the Mets — In five career postseason series, Jeff Suppan has hardly been a star. But Saturday night, he did everything, leading St. Louis to a 5-0 victory and a 2-1 lead in the NLCS. He threw eight innings and combined with Josh Kinney …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Focused Perez to start must-win game — Looking to even series, Mets turn to young left-hander — ST. LOUIS — It's not as if Oliver Perez hasn't started some big games before in his career, but none of them have been in the playoffs. And on Sunday night, because of the circumstances …
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:Trachsel Does Little but Place the Mets in a Big Pitching Bind
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Lou 'refreshed,' ready to return — Piniella says time off from managing has changed his perspective — but his only goal still is to win, and it appears he'll try with Cubs — DETROIT — Barring a snag in contract talks that are expected to begin Monday, Lou Piniella will become the next manager of the Cubs.
Discussion:
1060west
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Fox Fires Baseball Analyst Over Ethnic Comments — Steve Lyons, the No. 2 Fox Sports baseball analyst, was fired Friday night for offensive comments he made earlier in the day during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series in Detroit. — He was replaced by Jose Mota …
Discussion:
Deadspin
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lyons dismissed by FOX for remarks — Mota replaces former Major Leaguer in ALCS broadcast booth — DETROIT — The American League Championship Series underwent a quick lineup shuffle in the broadcast booth, with news coming down shortly before Saturday's Game 4 that FOX …
Discussion:
Chicks Dig The Pitchers' Duel
NY Daily News:
Pujols pulls no punches — Bat, mouth are trouble — Albert Pujols had an at-bat to remember last night, one that showcased all of his ability as the game's most dangerous hitter. In the seventh inning he fouled off six pitches from Guillermo Mota during an 11-pitch at-bat that ended …
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Tim Brown / Los Angeles Times:
La Russa Supports Cooling-Off Period — ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols' decision to slight Tom Glavine's pitching performance in Game 1 had legs for another day, with Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa advocating a 24-hour cooling-off period for athletes before they address the media and threatening …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Bruce Jenkins / San Francisco Chronicle:
A Very Classy Clubhouse — From Sporting Green columnist Bruce Jenkins in Detroit: — One of baseball's toughest men was moved to tears. Sitting at his locker, a towel draped over his head, Milton Bradley had been crying. His eyes were blood-red as he finally turned to face the media.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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NY Daily News:
Gonzo journalism — Fox drops ball with Luis in booth — Fox's Jeanne Zelasko and Kevin Kennedy got all self-righteous a couple of weeks ago while attacking the veracity of a Los Angeles Times report that revealed names said to appear on the affadavit from the federal investigation of Jason Grimsley and his alleged HGH distribution.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
NY Daily News:
It's all about the arms — Even as the postseason goes on without the Yankees, here and in St. Louis and so splendidly in Detroit early yesterday evening, here is a daring prediction for next season: — The Yankees win the American League East again. — Yankee fans are hoping for more …
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Krivsky offers Twins peek — Reds insider — The firing of Chris Chambliss was the latest move in the "Minnesota-ization" of the Reds. If the Minnesota-ization continues we could see bigger moves. — Let's explain the Minnesota-ization theory. — Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky worked …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals not close to hiring Girardi — Contrary to news reports, club mum on plans — ST. LOUIS — The Nationals are not close to naming Joe Girardi as their new manager, according to sources in Chicago. — The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Saturday that the Nationals are expected …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Floyd update — The good news for Cliff Floyd is the diagnosis for his strained left Achilles tendon did not change following yesterday's visit with team physician Struan Coleman. The bad news? Floyd's condition isn't likely to improve until he eventually has surgery this winter …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
NY Daily News:
Memories of a decent man — OAKLAND - The first thing a journalist does upon entering most any professional locker room or clubhouse is check his or her dignity at the door. No matter how often league officials remind players that they must share their work space, it is still often an awkward situation.
Discussion:
Chad Finn's Touching …
