Lovullo Stays Put

Arizona’s dugout won’t get a facelift—at least not yet. The D-backs locked down Torey Lovullo for two more seasons, ending any offseason managerial carousel before it started. Smart money says the front office liked what it saw in October, even if the finish line slipped away. Two years buys stability, but it also means Lovullo owns the rebuild narrative from day one.

Postseason Pitching Roulette

Tyler Kepner’s column hit like a 98-mph fastball to the ribs: why are managers yanking starters the second they sniff trouble in October? The Red Sox’s Bronx meltdown is Exhibit A—bullpen overuse, fragile confidence, and a rotation that suddenly looks like a JV squad. If the playoffs are a crapshoot, maybe the house should let the dice roll a little longer.

White Sox Flex, Astros Look Lost

A.J. Pierzynski didn’t mince words: Chicago’s South Siders looked like the playoff vets, Houston the wide-eyed rookies. That’s a storyline nobody saw coming—especially after the Astros spent the last half-decade collecting rings. If the Sox keep this up, the ALDS could be a short series.

Ray Kerr: From Slurpees to Starting

Braves’ Game 3 starter Ray Kerr’s story reads like a Hollywood script—7-Eleven clerk to postseason mound. The kid’s got guts, but more importantly, he’s got command. Atlanta’s rolling with him over the usual suspects, and if he delivers, it’s a middle finger to every scout who wrote him off. Resilience doesn’t always win games, but it sure sells tickets.

Cubs’ Offseason Head-Scratcher

Second place behind Milwaukee means the Cubs are still the bridesmaid. Three big questions loom: 1) Can they pry a frontline arm without mortgaging the farm? 2) Does the lineup need a power bat or just better plate discipline? 3) Will ownership finally open the vault, or is the “wait ‘til next year” mantra sticking around for another winter?