In baseball, Tampa Bay is 2-for-2 in elimination playoff games. After beating Texas to get to the American League wild card matchup, the Rays got a great pitching performance from Alex Cobb and blanked Cleveland 4-0 to reach the AL division series against Boston on Friday.
The Indians, who haven't won a World Series since 1948, were making their first postseason appearance since 2007. They won 10 straight games at the end of the season to reach the wild card elimination game.
Meanwhile, Boston manager John Farrell says Jon Lester will get the start in the playoff opener. The Red Sox will also pay tribute to victims of the Boston Marathon bombings Friday with a giant "B Strong" logo mowed into the center field grass.
And the agent for manager Joe Girardi met with the Yankees regarding a new contract and possible raise. ESPN reports that the Cub’s will try to hire Girardi for its vacancy.
Checking NFL news, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said Wednesday that he is on the same page with the team regarding his rehab and eventual return. Gronkowski is recovering from offseason back and forearm surgeries.
Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman has been fined twice in the last month for conduct detrimental to the team. The infractions include missing at least one team meeting and participating in an unauthorized media interview.
In hockey, Toronto passed Philadelphia 3-1. Detroit bested Buffalo 2-1 and it was Colorado over Anaheim 6-1.
Finally, the on-again, off-again college football games involving service academies this weekend are on again, despite the partial government shutdown. A senior defense official says U.S. military academy football teams will play because the games are paid for with non-appropriated funds. Army is scheduled to travel to Boston College and Air Force will play at Navy.
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