Tracy on Freddy Sanchez  —  Anyone who doubts that Jim Tracy is just Lloyd McClendon redux needs to check out today's Post-Gazette: … Got that?  Maybe the way to get players to hit is to play them less.  Granted, there's no good evidence whatsoever to support this hypothesis, but it still sounds pretty awesome.

Pujols has >no equal: Close call: A record month  —  Up next: 1:15 p.m. today vs. Washington, KPLR (Ch. 11)  —  When he reached Roger Dean Stadium this spring, Albert Pujols and Cardinals hitting coach Hal McRae agreed that, MVP or not, the Cardinals' first baseman could improve on his 2005.

Dodgers-Padres Preview  —  The slumping San Diego Padres try to avoid a season-high five consecutive losses when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.  —  The Padres (8-14) were shut out for the second time in three games and only managed two hits in a 3- loss to the Dodgers on Friday …

Peoria likely to get a look at rehabbing Wood  —  The Peoria Chiefs could strike gold for a second consecutive year.  —  The Midwest League club seems to be in perfect position to host Kerry Wood's first minor-league rehabilitation start if it takes place May 7.

These Mets Just Don't Dread the Ted  —  Mets 1 - Braves 0  —  Prescription for beating the Braves: Take one vintage Tom Glavine, mix in one longball from Lo Duca, add a few splashes of near-flawless defense, a dose of Aaron Heilman at his unhittable best, and cap it off with our slider-slinging closer.

TOUCHING THE IVY AT WRIGLEY FIELD  —  Growing up in Alabama, I always watched the Cubs on cable TV.  What I remember the most as a kid is they always sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame in the seventh inning.  That, and the ivy on the wall.  It was pretty cool riding up to Wrigley Field for the first time in the cab.

Notes: Boston bats stranding Sox  —  Hits with runners on base proving few and far between  —  ST. PETERSBURG — On Saturday, the Red Sox ended their longest losing streak so far this season.  —  Entering Saturday, that unlucky number stood at three, and though it was too early to nitpick …

Pickin' up where they left off  —  Sox triumphant in return to scene of ALCS-clinching wins  —  ANAHEIM — It was like the White Sox never had left Angel Stadium after winning the American League Championship Series.  —  An Angel Stadium sellout crowd of 43,940 booed villain A.J. Pierzynski …

Mark Cuban: Pittsburgh's Dream Owner  —  Mark Cuban has been dubbed "the fans' dream (come true)."  And, It's easy to see why.  —  Cuban, the self-made billionaire and current owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise, is the only professional sports owner who truly is a fan …

Sox already deep into draft prep  —  ANAHEIM — Scouting director Duane Shaffer has seen about 45 potential candidates for the White Sox's first pick in the June amateur draft.  —  And by this time next month, Shaffer estimates he will have seen from 135 to 175 potentially high picks.

Howe lived a life without restraints  —  The police are saying that Steve Howe wasn't wearing a seatbelt when his pickup truck rolled over early yesterday morning in Coachella, Calif., which should surprise no one who knew the guy.  —  Howe died tragically, though it is not at all clear …

Billingsley flirts with another no-hitter  —  51s right-hander loses bid in eighth inning  —  Chad Billingsley doesn't have to do anything to catch the attention of the Los Angeles Dodgers' front office.  He's already is regarded as the top pitching prospect in the organization and it would seem …

Boys will be boys, it's worth Mansioning  —  LOS ANGELES — It was a look I had seen before but couldn't quite place.  —  As the White Sox players and members of the organization boarded a bus destined for the Playboy Mansion on their day off Thursday, in walked the club's manager of media relations, Pat O'Connell.

Rocket's coming-out party was striking  —  It was 20 years ago today and relatively few Boston sports fans were paying attention.  —  On the night Roger Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game, only 13,414 paid their way into Fenway Park.