Top News:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Epstein looks ahead to the winter — Had the Red Sox won yesterday, Fenway Park would be brimming with activity right now with batting practice about to begin before Game 4 of the ALDS. Instead the stands are empty, the mound and plate are covered and all is quiet save a few writers …
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Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Brad Mills and Tim Bogar will interview with the Astros — BOSTON — Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills said he's excited for the opportunity to interview for the Houston Astros' managerial opening, but doesn't yet know when that will be. — It was announced on Monday afternoon in a press conference …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Angels Can Win in Various Ways, and Often Have — MINNEAPOLIS — The Yankees have never played the Los Angeles Angels in a best-of-seven series, and baseball has been poorer for it. There may be no matchup with such intense play and opponents who are more respectful of each other's strengths.
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iYankees
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Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
NY Yankees set up CC Sabathia for Game 1 start in ALCS … MINNEAPOLIS — Even before the Yankees beat the Twins to complete a sweep in the American League Division Series, manager Joe Girardi talked about some extra motivation to close the series out. — The Angels, who completed a sweep …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Chess Match: Key pitching moves — Girardi, Gardenhire give starters hook at crucial points — MINNEAPOLIS — Aside from splendid defense by the Yankees in their three-game sweep of the Twins in the American League Division Series, it was pitching and a few adroit decisions in that area …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:Bring on the Halos! Yanks sweep Twins in ALDS
Discussion:
Zell's Pinstripe Blog, Blogging The Bombers, New York Times, Pinstripe Posts, Yahoo! Sports and Yahoo! Sports
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Umps admit missed call on Utley hit — Replay shows key play in ninth should've been ruled foul — DENVER — Whether it was umpires being in the wrong place or some gamesmanship by the Phillies' Chase Utley, the fact is a missed call played a part in Philadelphia's 6-5 victory over Colorado …
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Philliesflow.com
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Hot-hitting Torrealba bats fifth for Rox — Catcher has just 23 career at-bats above No. 6 spot — DENVER — With a strong finish to the regular season and a surprise home run in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba found himself with a more prominent role for Sunday night's Game 3.
Discussion:
Sports Blog Net
Associated Press:
Jim Tracy: Chase Utley's disputed hit not why Colorado Rockies lost — DENVER — Shane Victorino joked about Chase Utley's single off his right knee that put the Philadelphia Phillies on the cusp of advancing to the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
There's certainly a lot to love about the Angels; more notes (cont.) — Abreu thriving in Southern Cal, a good spot for him — Abreu was shocked at his lack of market last offseason, but he should do better this time, especially with Scioscia calling him the team MVP (he would have been the ALDS MVP …
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Notebook: St. Louis Cardinals will start discussing future today
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions — The offseason is officially upon us. The first wave of minor league free agents make their way to the open market as their contracts expire. The list includes a pair of No. 1 overall draft picks in Kris Benson ('96) and Bryan Bullington ('02).
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Offseason Outlook: Toronto Blue Jays — Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Blue Jays. Their likely commitments for 2010: — C - — C - Raul Chavez - $500K+ — 1B - Lyle Overbay - $7MM — 2B - Aaron Hill - $4MM — SS - — 3B - Edwin Encarnacion - $4.75MM
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Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Will Jonathan Papelbon be wearing a Red Sox uniform in 2010? — sat silently in front of his locker after Sunday's season-ending blown save to the Angels, but the usually chatty closer was causing a lot of discussion around the baseball world. — And not just talk of the …
Discussion:
Fack Youk, MLB Babble, Sports Blog Net, Over the Monster, Full Count, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Rumors
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers' pitching core guarantees future — With top-flight rotation trio, Detroit will be back in 2010 — DETROIT — The Tigers have some decisions to make after a division lead they held or shared since May 10 slipped through their grasp on the 163rd game of the season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Lidge turns back the clock in Game 3 — Phillies closer, after awful regular season, goes into postseason mode and gets save … DENVER — He came trotting out of the bullpen at 2:02 a.m. ET, or Philadelphia Daylight Nail Chewing Time. — A year ago, this was his time. His place. His mountaintop.
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Astros line up familiar names for manager — Garner, Melvin, Yost among 10 candidates set for interviews — HOUSTON — Former Astros manager Phil Garner, former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin and former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost are among 10 candidates scheduled to interview …
Bill Mitchell / Baseball America:
Ackley Ready To Debut In AFL — No. 2 overall pick will be one of five top-10 picks in Arizona — PHOENIX—Opening day of the Arizona Fall League's 18th season, which kicks off Tuesday, will feature the professional debut of college baseball's premier player at his position.
