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Ian Kinsler is mad about empty seats in Arlington.
According to The New York Times, baseball is dying. According to Craig Calcaterra, they're full of crap.
Calcaterra previews tonight's one-game playoff.
The Rangers are considered the frontrunner to sign Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu.
The list of playoff umpires has been released. The A's and Tigers will have to suffer through CB Bucknor. The Cardinals-Pirates/Reds series seems to have the best crew, headlined by Jim Joyce. The charming Laz Diaz will work the Braves-Dodgers series. The best thing in this article? No Angel Hernandez!
The Cubs have dismissed their manager, Dale Sveum.
Ron Gardenhire is expected to remain with the Twins.
Danny Salazar will get the call to start for the Indians on Wednesday when they take on the Rays or Rangers.
Matt Klaassen lists some of the most remarkable accomplishments of 2013.
Eno Sarris revisits some of his bold predictions that he made at the start of the season. While he was way off on a few of them, I'd say my predictions were the best. In GOG #00 I said Neal Huntington would be fired.
Dave Cameron breaks down Hunter Pence's contract and value.
Grant Brisbee synthesizes a wild weekend's action into one article.
Brisbee also has a piece on tonight's starter, Martin Perez.
Jim Johnson has joined an exclusive club.
Rob Neyer asks if Nelson Cruz should be allowed to play tonight.
Ken Rosenthal gives his picks for postseason awards. He has Josh Donaldson third in MVP voting, omits Bartolo Colon from his Cy Young ballot and votes Bob Melvin second for AL Manager of the Year.
Jon Heyman also picked postseason award winners and put Donaldson second on his MVP ballot. Bartolo is 5th on his Cy Young ballot and BoMel is his third pick for MotY.
Fox Sports has a nice little playoff primer.
The division series schedule still has a lot to be determined.
Melvin on Game 1 starter: "Bartolo's been an ace for us all season and you can do the math ... that's all I can say for now" #Athletics
— 95.7 The GAME (@957thegame) September 30, 2013
Melvin on Cespedes: "He took some swings yesterday and felt good ... we're optimistic he'll be in the lineup on Friday" #Athletics
— 95.7 The GAME (@957thegame) September 30, 2013
Umpires for #Athletics-#Tigers Division Series: Gary Darling, CB Bucknor, Mike DiMuro, crew chief Tom Hallion, Jim Reynolds, Mark Wegner.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 30, 2013
On this day a year ago, the A's felled the Mariners by a score of 5-2 with three runs in the eighth to finish off a three-game sweep. The magic number for a playoff spot stood at 1 after the win and the magic number for the division was reduced to 6. The first game of the series was a laugher, but the second game was one of the craziest wins all year long.
