Is Rookie of the Year candidate Francisco Lindor's outstanding offense here to stay?

The only thing better than beating the Tigers is beating the Tigers thanks to late inning heroics during a Wild Card race. As you settle in for a full weekend of Tiger beating, here's a look at what else is going on around September baseball:

Yesterday's game: Indians 7, Tigers 5

Two late homers by Michael Brantley put the Tribe over the Kitties in a pivotal series despite some questionable Indians pitching performances.

• LGT recap (Jason Lukehart)
• Cleveland.com recap (Paul Hoynes)
• Indians.com recap (Jordan Bastian and August Fagerstrom)

Indians news & notes

What can we make of Francisco Lindor? | Fangraphs - In the second half, Lindor has posted an fWAR of 3.0, ties with Bryce Harper a a touch better than FG's previous contender for best shortstop in baseball, the Astros' Carlos Correa. He's been a spark plug for the resurgent Indians lineup, but how likely is he to continue this level of play? Unlikely, according Jeff Sullivan - but his defense alone makes him a game-changer for the Tribe.

Is Francisco Lindor the front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year? | Cleveland.com - In a rare treat, we get to hear good ol' Hoynsie's voice in person in a hilariously low production quality video interview discussing whether or not we waited too long to call up Lindor and what his chances are for the ROY award.

Will Lindor give Correa a run for AL Rookie of the Year? | CBS Sports - Among a historically great class of rookies league-wide, the AL ROY race is neck and neck between Correa and Lindor.

Brantley carries Tribe along on power trip | Indians.com - With his heroics last night, Michael Brantley became only the fourth player in Indians history to hit multiple game-tying or go-ahead homers in the 7th inning or later in the same game. How's that for obscure stat trivia?

Almonte could be Cleveland's latest gem stolen from Padres | Did the Tribe Win Last Night? - First Carlos Baerga/Sandy Almomar, then Corey Kluber, and now Abraham Almonte. If Honest Abe is all he seems to be, the Tribe may have struck gold in a trade with the Padres one more time.

Chisenhall puts himself in right spot | Indians.com - Speaking of statistical trivia, Lonnie Baseball became the first outfielder since 2007 to record three assists in a game. One of those assists was a part of a rundown between 1st and 2nd base, as the Chiz channeled his former infielder after having found new life as a defense stud in RF.

Cody Allen: a Cleveland closer's weird year | Fangraphs - Allen has limited homers in 59 innings this year, but has a much higher ERA than last year, so what gives? The man himself talks about his aggressive approach, his curveball, and what's different this year.

An extremely early look at the 2016 bullpen | Burning River Baseball - September callups and Tito's prolific bullpen usage means we've been able to get a look at some relievers we otherwise wouldn't have. BRB takes a look at the chances that the likes of Gavin Floyd, Jeff Manship, et al. have for sticking around in the 2016 'pen.

Tidbits from around MLB

• The biggest news of the day is that the Phillies have finally cut ties with GM Ruben Amarao Jr.
• Fangraphs explains why the case for Yoenis Cespedes as MVP is silly (spoiler alert: it's Bryce Harper)
• Craig Calcaterra also has a hearty LOL about the Cespedes for MVP chatter
• Bartolo Colon has surpassed Cy Young (in an obscure stat related to being old and pitching well)
• Despite GM Dave Stewart's love for an "old-school" approach, the Diamondbacks are crunching numbers just like every other team
• Josh Hamilton needs arthroscopic knee surgery, but could still return this season
• Will Leitch writes about the beauty of Joey Votto's blowup in an era of instant replay