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Yesterday's Baseball
Cleveland Indians top prospect Francisco Lindor's big day leads way for Peoria Javelinas | MiLB.com News - Indians top prospect Francisco Lindor went 4-for-6 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored from atop the Peoria lineup in the Javelinas' 11-2 win over Scottsdale.
Today's Baseball
The ALCS starts today with two teams, that are, as Adam Jones of the Orioles put it, "playing with house money."
Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles - October 10, 2014 | MLB.com Preview - Kansas City (Shields) at Baltimore (Tillman) at 8 p.m ET on TBS
2014 ALCS Preview: Royals vs. Orioles - Grantland.com series preview
These five matchups could define the ALCS. | SportsonEarth.com : Anthony Castrovince Article - Castrovince breaks down the ALCS matchups.
LCS umpires named; Joe West, Gerry Davis crew chiefs - CBSSports.com - Expect the Joe West Bubble of Weirdness to plague the ALCS.
Umpire Joe West did not have a good year behind the plate - CBSSports.com - I suspect this is true at every base for Joe West. Inexplicably, he was rewarded by being named crew chief for the ALCS, in another example of MLB deliberately trying to sabotage the on-field product.
Tribe-related News
The middle-infield puzzle: What do the Indians do with Aviles, Ramirez and Lindor? | cleveland.com - The Indians have plenty to sort out with regard to their middle infield. Aviles' club option could serve as the first piece of that puzzle.
Rangers interview Cleveland’s Cash; if hired, he’d be youngest MLB manager | Dallas Morning News - Sandy Alomar was not the only Tribe employee to interview for the Rangers job.
Corey Kluber, Jacob deGrom use time at Stetson as springboard to majors - Orlando Sentinel - Pitchers Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians and Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets enjoyed success in the major leagues this season after playing collegiately at Stetson.
LGFT
Asdrubal Cabrera on the Nationals: ‘I would love to stay’ - The Washington Post - The shortstop played second base for the Nationals and would be open to staying because he wants to win a World Series.
Texas Rangers rumors: Justin Masterson, potential offseason acquisition - Lone Star Ball - Taking a look at Justin Masterson, a free agent who is reportedly on the Rangers' radar
Astros decline Matt Albers’ option for 2015 | HardballTalk - Injuries limited right-hander Matt Albers to just 10 innings this season and the Astros have declined the reliever's $3 million option for 2015, buying him out for $200,000.
Around the Horn
So Why Do Our Playoff Odds Love the Royals? | FanGraphs Baseball - Fangraph odds give the Rotals the best shot at winning it all. Here's why.
An Analysis of Available Tommy John Surgery Data – The Hardball Times - More analysis of TJ data.
Don Mattingly is "assuming" he’ll remain Dodgers manager | HardballTalk - We all know what happens when one assumes. I clipped this article primarily to use that line.
Dan Johnson is working on a knuckleball | HardballTalk - Dan Johnson has been on the fringes of the major leagues for the past few seasons as a position player/designated hitter, but he's hoping to prolong his career by developing a knuckleball.
Yogi Berra World Series rings and MVP plaques stolen from museum | HardballTalk - Authorities say that "several" of Berra's World Series rings and two of his MVP plaques were among the items taken.
J.J. Hardy and the Orioles agree to contract extension | HardballTalk - A whole bunch of teams in need of a shortstop are going to be sad about this. Fortunately, this is not a problem the Indians have.