Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 160: Yankees at Red Sox — YANKEES (87-72) — RED SOX (94-65) — Alfredo Aceves (1-0, 1.38) has never faced any of the Boston hitters. — Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-2, 2.80) vs. the New York hitters. — Notes: The Yankees have won seven of eight and 10 of their last 12. ...
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Giambi wants to re-sign with Yankees — TORONTO - Jason Giambi's seven seasons in pinstripes have run the gamut. He had 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons his first two years before being diagnosed with an intestinal parasite and a benign tumor and testifying to a grand jury that he had used steroids.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Giambi appreciates time in pinstripes — Wild ride with Yankees could be coming to end for slugger — TORONTO — Jason Giambi is aware that he may be putting on his Yankees uniform for the final time this weekend, ending a dizzying seven-year run in pinstripes filled with ups and downs.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
MLB.com:
Manuel unhappy with Phils' recent slip — Skipper calls meeting to convey importance of final games — PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel was angry. He didn't say so, but words weren't necessary. — A lieutenant went to the message board in the players' den and scribbled: Meeting. Friday.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins aim to reprise Mets KO — Situation similar for another finale series playoff coup de grace — WASHINGTON - A year later, the memories haven't faded for the Marlins. Scott Olsen even recalled having pizza in the Shea Stadium visitors' clubhouse after that final regular-season win.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins relish spoiler role — WASHINGTON — The Marlins didn't plan on missing the playoffs again this season, but they're at least hoping their season ends like it did in 2007 - by going to New York and eliminating the Mets. — “Anytime you have a chance to knock a big team …
Bill Conlin / Philly.com:Brace yourself for wild weekend in baseball's homestretch
Discussion:
Bats
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Tiebreakers loom after walk-off wins — Races in AL Central and NL Wild Card remain tight — The regular season is supposed to end on Sunday, but with the way things are going, it might take until Tuesday to determine the three remaining playoff spots. — Minnesota's walk-off win …
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Mark Herrmann / Newsday:Rain could scramble Mets' schedule
Discussion:
Bronx Banter, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, New Jersey Online, Newsday, NJ.com and ShysterBall
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Walk-off win helps Mets' playoff hopes — NEW YORK (AP)—With a desperate rally in the rain, Carlos Beltran and the New York Mets kept their playoff destiny in their own hands. — Beltran singled home the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and New York beat the Chicago Cubs 7-6 …
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue, The Musings and Prophecies …, Mets Geek, MetsBlog.com and My Summer Family
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Kary Booher / Baseball America:
Brackman Kicks Off HWB — 2007 first-rounder makes pro debut, finally — Out in Hawaii Winter Baseball, Yankees' 2007 first-round draft pick Andrew Brackman already has his eyes on grabbing a surfboard and hanging 10. — Well, that and finally launching his pro career come Saturday night.
Chicago Tribune:
Fans sue over seats for Cubs playoffs — A budding legal dispute over the divvying up of Cubs playoffs tickets reflects the tensions and possible treacheries that abound as fans who share season-ticket packages attempt to split their much-coveted seats for the upcoming postseason.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
This is the Cubs year. Really. … NEW YORK — These Cubs are not your father's Cubs. Or your grandfather's. Or even your great grandfather's. — This should finally be their year. No, really. — Beyond having the most solid rotation in the National League …
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
M's respond to clubhouse anger toward Ichiro — Ichiro reached base on... Another loss Thursday night for the Mariners at Safeco Field began the way so many other contests have this season. — Ichiro reached base on his 176th single of the season and the 1,800th hit of his career.
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Hardy might have hand injury — As speculated by others on the Brewers Blog earlier today, shortstop J.J. Hardy might have injured a hand during the home-plate celebration when Ryan Braun hit his walk-off grand slam last night in the bottom of the 10th inning against Pittsburgh at Miller Park.
Mark Herrmann / Newsday:
Maine wants to pitch, but knows he may not — John Maine knows now that there is a big chasm between being “activated” and being active. — After long, tough rehabilitation work, Maine was taken off the disabled list Wednesday and activated. But manager Jerry Manuel suggested …
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Mets announce Basic Plan for Farewell — The Mets today announced that Tom Seaver, Willie Mays and Mike Piazza, among 45 other former players, will be on hand for this Sunday's Shea Goodbye post-game, on-field ceremony following the team's 1 p.m. game against the Marlins.
