Poof!  Cardinals' ‘magic’ season vanishes in sweep.  Their next trick is up to new core  —  As he walked to the plate with a chance to push the game one hit deeper into the night, the season one game further into the weekend, and his career one day longer into October, Yadier Molina paused and whispered a prayer.

Inside the MLB Culture Wars That Led to Joe Maddon's Firing  —  How could a World Series-winning manager with 19 years of experience lose his job over a 12-game sample?  The answer is about much more than just a losing streak.  —  Excerpted from THE BOOK OF JOE: Trying Not to Suck at Baseball & Life by Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci.

Mater Dei football knocks off St. John Bosco with big lift from defense  —  Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.  Subscribe now  —  SANTA ANA — Mater Dei's football team claimed a state championship last season despite swirling controversy.

Jose Ramirez's 2-run homer sends Guardians past Rays in AL opener  —  CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Guardians needed a response, after Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series on Friday, it came as no surprise that All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez would be the guy to come through.

95-year-old Rockies employee ushers out another season  —  Win or lose, Peter Sabell is at nearly every Colorado Rockies home game ushering fans down to their seats along Coors Field's third base line.  —  DENVER — It's too late to catch a baseball game after the Colorado Rockies played out their last game of the 2022 season.

Detroit Tigers fire scouting director Scott Pleis after 15 seasons, per sources  —  Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has started the restructuring of his front office.  —  Amateur scouting director Scott Pleis was fired after 15 seasons with the organization …

Bullpen, right-handed bat, rotation help all high on Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen's to-do list  —  The Diamondbacks won 22 more games this year than the previous year, but it was clear from General Manager Mike Hazen's end-of-year session with reporters that fact did not mean much to him.

Mets prospect hesitation their trade deadline undoing  —  MORE FROM:  —  The Cubs had two players that obviously would have helped the Mets at the deadline — Willson Contreras and David Robertson — but Cubs management is said to have grown so frustrated by the Mets' unwillingness to give …

4 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' loss in their preseason opener, including Dalen Terry's spark and Patrick Williams' question mark  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 21  —  Bulls guard Dalen Terry celebrates after a big basket in the second half of the preseason opener against the Pelicans on Oct. 4, 2022, at the United Center.

Astros tension could be problem for GM James Click  —  There's said to be tension between Astros GM James Click and owner Jim Crane.  Despite another terrific season in Houston, could Click be on the hot seat?  —  Click declined comment, saying they are focused on the postseason.