Indians’ Francisco Lindor is now an inescapably big deal and new ALCS hero

The Cleveland shortstop is a superstar in the making. A strong showing in his first October is accelerating the process.

The Cleveland shortstop is a superstar in the making. A strong showing in his first October is accelerating the process.

MLB playoffs 2016: Could too much Miller give Cleveland a hangover?

Andrew Miller worked a lot in his two ALDS appearances against the Red Sox. A repeat in the ALCS against the Blue Jays could lead to an advantage for Toronto.

Andrew Miller worked a lot in his two ALDS appearances against the Red Sox. A repeat in the ALCS against the Blue Jays could lead to an advantage for Toronto.

MLB playoffs 2016: Nationals exit with bitter taste after ‘craziest’ loss to Dodgers

Washington is eliminated in a classic Game 5 that turned on a bad coaching decision but wasn’t decided until after the best pitcher in baseball came on as a closer.

Washington is eliminated in a classic Game 5 that turned on a bad coaching decision but wasn’t decided until after the best pitcher in baseball came on as a closer.

Dodgers bring in Clayton Kershaw to kill ninth-inning closer role

Clayton Kershaw was on the mound for the final out of the Dodgers-Nats NLDS . . . as a closer. It was a symbol of October baseball at its finest, and a possible glimpse into the sport’s future.

Clayton Kershaw was on the mound for the final out of the Dodgers-Nats NLDS . . . as a closer. It was a symbol of October baseball at its finest, and a possible glimpse into the sport’s future.

MLB playoffs 2016: Dusty Baker urges fans to deny their nature, think positively

The Nationals manager wants to push out any bad mojo heading into Game 5 of his team’s NLDS against the Dodgers in D.C.

The Nationals manager wants to push out any bad mojo heading into Game 5 of his team’s NLDS against the Dodgers in D.C.

MLB playoffs 2016: Cubs advance to NLCS, where chance often trumps talent

Playoff series are essentially coin flips, as the Cubs well know. They’re about to test their luck again in the NLCS.

Playoff series are essentially coin flips, as the Cubs well know. They’re about to test their luck again in the NLCS.

MLB playoffs 2016: Magic runs out for Red Sox, but never for David Ortiz and Boston fans

The bond between David Ortiz and the Red Sox fanbase was a connection between a player and a city on a rare level beyond the field.

The bond between David Ortiz and the Red Sox fanbase was a connection between a player and a city on a rare level beyond the field.