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NY Daily News:
All that's missing for Mets is the black cat — Black cat. Black bat. It's always something when these teams meet, which is why the Mets should be very pleased today they may be playing these same Chicago Cubs again in some very important games next week.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Marshall earns NLDS spot in Cubs' loss — Piniella tickets lefty for postseason 'pen after five solid frames — NEW YORK — The Cubs still don't know who their opponent will be in the playoffs, but they're starting to get a better feel for who will be in their bullpen next week.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Lou Piniella cites ‘toll’ of managing — NEW YORK - Cubs manager Lou Piniella is only one victory shy of his 1,700th career triumph as manager, but he seems to be weary of the long grind that accompanies the season. — “It has been a tough year,” Piniella told the New York Daily News.
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Santana's lucky bat propels Mets past Cubs — Mets pitcher Johan Santana is hugged in the dugout by Jose Reyes after Santana pitched eight innings in Tuesday night's 6-2 win over the Cubs. (Newsday Photo / Kathy Kmonicek / September 23, 2008) — The Mets followed the bouncing ball …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Johan Santana's broken-bat hit sparks Mets' rally in 6-2 win over Cubs — Johan Santana swings away in the fifth inning with the Mets trailing 2-0 ... Lou Piniella called it Johan Santana's “magic bat trick.” Santana said his quirky grounder should “count for two hits.”
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Sources: Mets GM Minaya to get 4-year extension … Omar Minaya will receive a four-year extension to continue as general manager of the New York Mets, sources said on Tuesday. The deal is all but done, but it is not known when the extension will be formally announced.
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays have two ALDS sellouts — First playoff games at Tropicana Field prove hot tickets — BALTIMORE — The Rays have sold out the first two playoff games that will be played at Tropicana Field. — A limited number of tickets will still be available for fans who make deposits on 2009 season tickets.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Yankees want answer from Cashman … Brian Cashman was asked by the Steinbrenners to respond by next week to their offer to return as Yankees general manager, according to people familiar with the situation. — Cashman's current three-year, $5.5-million contract doesn't expire until Oct. 31 …
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Champagne still waiting as Phils fall — Hamels effective but outdueled in loss to Braves — PHILADELPHIA — Crates of champagne likely nestle somewhere in the bowels of Citizens Bank Park, ready for clubhouse relocation when needed. — At some point between now and Sunday …
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:The East Contracts — The Phillies lose and the Mets win …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Happy berth day — For fifth time in six years, Sox wrap up a playoff spot — The celebration erupted again at Fenway Park last night, Red Sox players storming from the dugout and streaming from the bullpen, a scene as familiar and predictable by now as the fall chill moving in.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Vazquez loses as Twins close on Sox — Offense stays quiet as Minnesota cuts division lead to 1 1/2 — MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox fans might need to take the ultimate “cup is half full” approach when breaking down Minnesota's 9-3 victory Tuesday night at the Metrodome.
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Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Rebuilding the Mariners | M's puzzle tougher to reshape with big contracts — And a nervous Kenji Johjima seemed to be dying a little inside as he spoke... It was the night the Mariners saw their 2008 season die for good. — And a nervous Kenji Johjima seemed to be dying a little inside …
Bill Ballew / Baseball America:
South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects — Only 19, Bumgarner pitches like a vet — Youth was served throughout the South Atlantic League in 2008, a season in which teenage talent dominated the low Class A circuit more than at any time in recent memory. League champion Augusta set the tone …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Florida Marlins' Lo Duca looks to revive career in 2009 — WASHINGTON - Catcher Paul Lo Duca didn't get too choked up about returning to Washington for the first time since the Nationals cut him Aug. 1. — Signed to a $5 million, one-year contract, Lo Duca spent time on the Nationals' disabled list …
Terence Moore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Aaron recalls making call on Chipper — When Hank Aaron leaves you a message to call his southwest Atlanta home as soon as possible, you dial his number even faster than that. Said the man who is baseball's legitimate home run king instead of that other guy, “Something has just been bothering me, really.
