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As we all wait with baited breath for the start of the most highly anticipated World Series in history, here's a glimpse of what's going on around Tribeland and beyond.
Indians news & notes
Four steps to a contender in 2015 | Indians Baseball Insider - IBI presents a to-do list for getting the Indians back into contention in 2015. It's defense, plus three other things, naturally.
Counting on Carrasco | Did The Tribe Win Last Night? - The emergence of Carlos Carrasco as an elite starter was extremely unexpected and certainly welcome in 2014. But now that he's emerged, the Indians are counting on him. What should they expect in 2015?
Should the Indians exercise Aviles' options? | Burning River Baseball - Mike Aviles won't be expensive next year, so it seems like a pretty safe bet to bring him back, doesn't it? BRB argues it may not be worth the roster spot.
Price overcomes injuries to make debut | Wahoo's on First - It was a long, winding road but after five years and multiple injuries, Bryan Price finally made his debut with the Tribe in 2014. He didn't fare too well in his brief cup of coffee, but he showed some promise and may challenge for a roster spot in 2015.
WAR Room: Columbus pitchers | Indians Baseball Insider - Breaking down the performances of Clippers starters in 2014.
World Series and other MLB news
Shields and Ventura to start games 1 & 2 | Hardball Talk - James Shields gets the ball for Game 1, and Yordano Ventura for Game 2 as expected. Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy will go for San Francisco.
Is the DH actually a disadvantage for the Royals? | CBS Sports - Billy Butler had a down year thanks to a decline in plate discipline among other things. The Royals may be better with him and San Francisco's Michael Morse out of their respective lineups.
Where World Series rooting interests *should* lie | Sports On Earth - There probably aren't many people pulling for the Giants outside of Northern California and LGT, so SOE takes a look at where allegiances would lie if people examined other factors.
Jeff Foxworthy and Ned Yost: BFFs | Sports On Earth - There's actually a whole lot of good stuff over at SOE today but rather than link it all, I thought I'd fuel the Royals/Yost hate by linking this piece about Yost's friendship with everyone's favorite redneck.
Boston could make Cespedes available | Boston Globe - Nick Cafardo notes Yoenis Cespedes could be made available for trade by the Red Sox. He's due $10.5 million in the last year of his contract.