EX-RAYVISION  —  CRAWFORD'S AVAILABLE IF METS ARE  —  DARE DEVILS  —  WOULD the Mets dare return to the scene of the crime?  Would they consider trading another high-end young starter such as Phil Humber or Mike Pelfrey to the Devil Rays and risk a sequel to the Scott Kazmir blunder?

Cards are looking like '64 Phillies  —  The ghost of Gene Mauch may not be hovering above Busch Stadium, ready to pay an unwelcome visit to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.  But with the Cardinals wheezing in the final days of a potentially devastating finish to the regular season …

Hammel battles Schilling in opener  —  Tampa Bay (60-96) at Boston (83-74), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  The Rays were embarrassed in their last home game on Monday and are just 2-28 in the second half away from Tropicana Field, so Tampa Bay needs to dig deep in its next two games at Boston if it wants to finish the season on a good note.

Hit List Factor Trend Comment  —  The Yankees clinch their ninth straight AL East title, the earliest they've done so (relative to games remaining) since 2001.  Mariano Rivera and Gary Sheffield return to action, the latter at an unfamiliar position, first base; Sheff may see a good deal …

For Kearns, Nats' Win Is Still Painful to Watch  —  When his Washington Nationals teammates were running into outs on the base paths, Austin Kearns watched from the dugout.  When Ryan Zimmerman laced a three-run double and rookie right-hander Beltran Perez worked his way out of trouble …

Notes: Webb's success no surprise  —  All business for Batista; Estrada feeling left out of catching mix  —  SAN FRANCISCO — When he first saw Brandon Webb pitch in 2003, then-Diamondbacks center fielder Steve Finley knew the right-hander had a chance to be special.

Clement goes to specialist  —  He hopes Andrews can give answers  —  At the end of the most maddening summer of his career, Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement has traveled to Alabama to see noted orthopedist James Andrews, with the hope that he may finally find answers to why he has not been able …

Dejan Kovacevic Chat Transcript  —  shouldBworking: I have been unable to get a definitive read on the team's longterm plans for Freddy.  Do you think they will attempt to sign him longterm this off-season or make him perform again next year?  —  Dejan Kovacevic: Before we start, an apology for missing the past two chats.

Greene's finger problem may be behind him  —  ST. LOUIS - Khalil Greene's finger has taken a turn for the better.  —  Unexpectedly, Greene was able to cut loose without any problems yesterday in a 15-swing soft-toss session.  —  Greene faces a more strenuous session today …

DeRosa's career year comes at right time  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mark DeRosa has much to be proud about his 2006 season.  —  DeRosa has put up career-best numbers in virtually every statistical category — batting average, at-bats, runs scored, RBI, doubles, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage.

Hermanson has Cooper's endorsement  —  CLEVELAND — White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper doesn't sign the checks, but when the organization has its offseason meetings and Cooper is asked his opinion about reliever Dustin Hermanson, he has seen enough to vote for bringing him back.

Uh...Wait a Minute  —  It would appear that Microsoft didn't like Friday's column.  I downloaded a Windows Update sometime last week, and when I turned my computer off Saturday night—prompting the install of the updates—I woke up the next morning with a very expensive paperweight.

Turnbow blows control experiment  —  Adjusting his pitching mechanics backfires  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Derrick Turnbow was so erratic with his control in 2004 that the Los Angeles Angels gave up on him after the season and placed him on waivers.

Though far in front, Mets take backseat  —  The Mets have an even more annoyingly successful, smug older brother than Eli Manning does.  The Yankees have more championships, better attendance, higher TV ratings and, entering last night, an equal record, even as the Mets enjoy their best season in a generation.