Verlander, Tigers search for sweep  —  Detroit (78-41) at Boston (68-50), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  No Tigers pitcher of any experience level has won 15 games in a full season since Willie Blair and Justin Thompson in 1997.  Rookie Justin Verlander could this year do it just after the midpoint of August.

The Yankees' Lion in Winter  —  George M. Steinbrenner 3rd, his face puffy, limping on a painful knee, walked slowly, then stumbled a bit, to the podium at the makeshift ballpark where the Yankees held yesterday's groundbreaking for their new stadium.  —  This was a glorious morning for Steinbrenner …

Who will wear the AL crown?  —  Not only has the National League transformed into Quadruple-A, as far as I can tell the Dodgers and Mets are the only two NL teams capable of doing anything in October.  And by "anything," I mean not "getting swept in the World Series."

Martinez placed on 15-day disabled list  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez has the kind of mild calf injury that probably wouldn't keep him off the mound in the postseason.  —  But with the New York Mets holding a double-digit lead in the NL East, there's no way they're taking any chances with their All-Star ace.

Froemming umpires 5,000th game  —  BOSTON (AP) — Bruce Froemming's day began with a few congratulatory phone calls early in the morning.  His family was in town to watch him work, and he was honored during an on-field ceremony at Fenway Park.  —  It's not often an umpire is in the spotlight for doing something good.

Notes: Green sits out again  —  Outfielder the subject of trade rumors with the New York Mets  —  DENVER — For the second straight game, right fielder Shawn Green was out of the starting lineup.  —  D-Backs manager Bob Melvin said with the trade talk that has been swirling around Green …

Stairs' veteran presence a bonus  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers' trade deadline addition of outfielder/designated hitter Matt Stairs didn't attract nearly the attention that adding outfielder Carlos Lee did, and that's a fair difference.  —  At 38 years old, Stairs is no longer the same home run threat he once was.

Struggling Red Sox look to deal with Toronto  —  The Red Sox, seeking to boost their offense, are talking to the Blue Jays about a trade for infielder/outfielder Eric Hinske, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Hinske, who has cleared waivers, was pulled from the Jays' lineup Wednesday night …

Edmonds diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome Wednesday, one day after leaving a game because of dizziness and blurred vision.  —  Edmonds underwent an MRI on Tuesday night …

Enough already  —  Media blitz of Lo Duca's personal life beyond absurd  —  All right, I'm calling Uncle.  I have officially had enough of Paul Lo Duca's love life.  —  Look, any honest former sorority girl will admit that a little gossip can be entertaining.

Take baseball, race, and religion.  Add Denis Leary.  Mix.  —  WEDNESDAY MORNING EDIT: In retrospect, this was the most fun I had on Tuesday night.  —  Denis Leary and Lenny Clark came by the NESN broadcast booth for an inning of tonight's game.  It started out smoothly enough — you know …

Pirates' Sanchez defying the odds  —  Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez made his contribution to team camaraderie in May when he bought a Ping-Pong table for the PNC Park home clubhouse.  To no one's surprise, the ultra-competitive Freddy Sanchez is now ranked No. 1 ahead of shortstop Jack Wilson …

Close doesn't count  —  Padres one run short again against Giants  —  The Padres, empowered by sharp bullpens but also somewhat lucky, defied statistical norms when they won 75 percent of the games decided by one run in the first two seasons at Petco Park.

Gonzalez, Hankerd Promoted  —  Diamondbacks outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was promoted from high Class A Lancaster to Double-A Tennessee after tearing up the California League at a .300/.356/.563 clip.  The 20-year-old Venezuelan also led the league with 94 RBIs and 60 extra-base hits, including 21 home runs.

Cubs select O'Malley, place Eyre on the disabled list  —  The Chicago Cubs today selected left-handed pitcher Ryan O'Malley from Triple-A Iowa.  In addition, Chicago has placed left-handed pitcher Scott Eyre on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.