MLB lockout looming as postseason rolls on

The GIST: And just like that, both Championship Series are nearly set. The two-time defending champion LA Dodgers face the Milwaukee Brewers beginning on Sunday, while either the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians will take on the Tampa Bay Rays starting on Monday.

• Before those seven-game sets get underway, let’s preview tomorrow’s winner-take-all Game 5 and breakdown the latest on the league’s looming lockout. Dun, dun, dun…

🛡️🧦 Cleveland storm back to win Game 4 9–5: Much to the dismay of the Southside faithful, the Guards put up 18 runs across their last two elimination games to send this thing back to their home ballpark for a decisive Game 5 tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. These American League Central foes have been evenly matched all season long — expect a true battle with their seasons on the line.

🔒 MLB proposes major changes as CBA negotiations continue: Amid the playoff push on the field, MLB and the MLBPA continue to work toward an agreement before the current deal expires on December 1st. The league’s latest proposal features a return to a 154-game season (last used in 1960), along with postseason changes that include allowing higher-seeded teams to pick their opponents.

• The MLBPA responded by saying they’ll review the proposal but that the league made it clear any changes are contingent on players agreeing to a salary cap — the main issue at hand — and other “anti-player proposals.” This fight is just beginning.