I'm taking a break from explaining the "Affiliation Shuffle." Really, that ought to be the dance hit of the summer next season.
- The Nationals are NL East Champions. Christina Kahrl explains that the Nationals success isn't so much because of their best players but more because of their "worst" players. (Their worst players still being pretty good. That's the point.)
- Just up Interstate 95, the Orioles won their first AL East Championship since 1997. Jerry Crasnick explains how the Orioles got here.
- Richard Justice writes that manager Buck Showalter created a new "Orioles Way" with a nod to the Orioles glory days of the 60s through the 80s.
- David Lauria has an interview with Showalter.
- The Angels haven't quite clinched the AL West, but they have clinched a playoff spot. Will Leitch thinks the Angels are a win-now team that had better win it all now. Because they're not getting any younger.
- Jorge L. Ortiz has a look at the Angels "creative" starting lineup.
- The Angels did make news by firing Greg Morhardt, the scout who discovered Mike Trout. What have you done for me lately, I guess.
- The Dodgers are fighting for a playoff spot and now all Dodgers fans in Southern California will be able to see the final six games of the season on the over-the-air channel KDOC. However, the showdown between Time-Warner and DirecTV (and all the other cable systems) goes on with no end in sight.
- MLB and the Players Association are meeting to work out a policy on domestic violence, in order to try to avoid the mess the NFL is in.
- Ken Rosenthal explains why coming up with such a policy is easier said than done.
- Jonathan Papelbon was suspended for seven games for his actions on Sunday. Jay Jaffe thinks this incident is the last straw for the Phillies in regards to Papelbon. He doesn't think Papelbon will be with the Phillies next year.
- Marcus Stroman, on the other hand, is not expected to be suspended for throwing at Caleb Joseph's head.
- C.J. Nitkowski thinks a pitcher should stand up for a teammate, but never throw at a ballplayer's head. His rear is fair game though.
- Giancarlo Stanton posted some pictures of his face. Some might find the pictures disturbing, but he is looking better in the second photograph.
- The suspended Chris Davis came to the aid of the victims of a car accident. Are we sure this Adderall suspension wasn't just a cover to allow Davis more time to fight crime and save people under superhero name "The Blue Oriole"?
- Peter Gammons takes a look at the the new talent pipeline of players from Cuba.
- However, federal agents have been interviewing Cuban ballplayers as they investigate smuggling and human trafficking from Cuba.
- Vox.com explains MLB's problems with human trafficking.
- Compared to human trafficking, the length of games seems like a pretty petty problem. But Joe Maddon says that integrating technology into the game would be more effective than shortening games in appealing to young people.
- Richard Justice thinks Michael Young is the right guy to be the new manager of the Rangers.
- David Schoenfield points out that we have no idea how much value there is in a good manager.
- Dodgers Assistant GM DeJon Watson will be given a second interview for the Diamondbacks GM job.
- Rangers AGM Thad Levine has withdrawn from consideration for the job.
- Bud Selig doesn't have any problems with what's going on with the New York Mets.
- Grant Brisbee asks when it is acceptable to break up a no-hitter with a bunt? I'd tell him, but I can't find my unwritten rulebook.
- Rob Neyer looks at the ethical questions of manager Bruce Bochy letting his kid pitch for the Giants. It's the first time ever that a major league manager called for his son to enter the game as a reliever.
- Richard Justice says the Royals are showing grit and determination down the stretch. Now if only they'd show more wins.
- Dayn Perry asks if Josh Harrison's performance this season is a fluke or whether he can continue to be this good?
- Alex Torres' cap is going to Cooperstown.
- Jose Altuve broke the Astros single-season record for hits in a season. But Craig Biggio still holds the Astros' National League record.
- Nolan Arenado has pneumonia.
- At this point, it's easier to list parts of the body that Shin-Soo Choo isn't having operated on.
- The Braves new stadium will be called SunTrust Park. I guess "White Flight Field" was taken.
- Michael Baumann wonders if it is OK to be disappointed that Jason Heyward only turned out to be "pretty good."
- Lance Lynn is the Cardinals secret weapon. Naah. I'm sure any Cardinals fan will be more than happy to go on for hours about how wonderful he is, thus spoiling the surprise.
- Gabe Kapler talks about playing in the minor league playoffs when you'd rather be making your major league debut.
- Ken Rosenthal asks what it will take for skeptics like himself to vote for Clayton Kershaw for MVP?
- Sam Miller says that the winner of the MVP award says more about the times than who the best player is. He also blasts Bud Selig for making a mockery of the "Hank Aaron Award" that is supposed to be the equivalent of the Cy Young Award for hitters.
- And finally, getting back to the issue of managers, you could always do what Bill Veeck did in 1951 and let the fans run the team.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.