New life in this old rivalry  —  It's been a long time since the Tigers and Red Sox were contenders in the same summer.  That's why this mid-August clash of American League charter members easily holds our attention as we await the arrival of You Know Who Friday.

Betemit's Full-Time Work Is Exemplary  —  So this is what Wilson Betemit can do as an everyday player.  —  Stuck behind Chipper Jones and Rafael Furcal for years in the Atlanta Braves system, Betemit has blossomed given regular playing time with the Dodgers.

Martínez Is Hurt and Then Routed  —  After missing nearly a month with a hip injury, Pedro Martínez had again become a master of reinvention for the Mets, using his cunning and guile to replace the speed lost on his fastball.  —  But he will be 35 in October and, like an old house …

Division Roundup, NL West  —  Promotions to the big leagues have left some holes in the Sidewinders' offense, but highly regarded prospects Alberto Callaspo and Chris Young (.278/.368/.543) are both doing their best to make up for it.  At .336/.403/.470, Callaspo is already approaching season-highs …

Howard: Letter writer threatened to put him in a wheelchair - 8/15/2006 03:01 AM EDT  —  Talk about focus.  —  In the last 3 ½ weeks, Ryan Howard, a National League All-Star who won the Home Run Derby, has hit .360 with 10 homers and 28 RBI.  In his first full season with the Phillies …

First pitch, August 15  —  REHABBING  —  Right-hander Mike DeJean who appeared in only two games before requiring surgery on his right shoulder, is moving forward with his recovery and said he is scheduled to begin throwing on Oct. 14.  He is expected to face hitters in December …

Kornheiser, Not Yet in Game Shape On 'MNF'  —  Tony Kornheiser played it safe in his "Monday Night Football" announcing debut last night, making few missteps but offering little for the highlight reel.  It wasn't exactly clear at times why he was there at all.  —  It's still early, as the coaches like to say.

Prospectus Matchups  —  The Loneliness Factor  —  Biggest Mismatchup (opponents with greatest difference in Prospectus Hit List rankings): Kansas City Royals (30th) @ Chicago White Sox (4th)  —  Can I get an amen on something here?  Are you as sick to death as I am of hearing the following bulls**t …

Mirabelli was talked out of his slump  —  Catcher credits team's counselor  —  Doug Mirabelli, who has homered in three straight starts for the first time in his career, credits a conversation he had with Don Kalkstein before the All-Star break for helping him find himself at the plate.

Telling signs can tip scales on mound  —  Pitcher's quirks weigh into batter's advantage  —  After a dominating season, Oakland closer Dennis Eckersley struggled in the 1992 ALCS because he was tipping his pitches to Toronto.  ''They knew what I was throwing,'' he said.  (AP/ File)

Owners face key winter in building Tribe  —  Paul Dolan says team payroll will top $60 million, likely exceed revenue.  Fans need reason to believe  —  Indians owner Paul Dolan has a far more serious problem than the Indians falling out of contention by June.  —  He needs to give his customers a reason to believe.

Salmon Has Bronx Tales to Tell  —  NEW YORK — Tim Salmon wasn't looking too forward to Monday night's game.  —  "Honestly, I was mapping out this start 10 days ago at home," Salmon said.  "I was trying to figure out if the Big Unit was throwing."  —  The Big Unit, of course …

Life's a pitch: Canseco set to start in minors  —  For Jose Canseco, life in the minors is a pitch.  —  On Wednesday, Canseco is scheduled to start his first regular-season game as a pitcher for the Long Beach Armada of the Golden Baseball League.  It will be the first time the former major-league slugger …

S. Florida may need to bid farewell to Loria  —  Jeffrey Loria is at it again.  —  The Florida Marlins owner has proved adept at embarrassing himself and the game of baseball, but his latest misstep is an uncharacteristic one.  As you may have heard, Loria was reportedly a hairsbreadth …