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?

Notes: Verlander to rest until playoffs  —  Rookie righty hopes skipping start will allow him to be fresh  —  DETROIT — Justin Verlander's regular season is over so that his postseason has a better chance of a good start.  —  Though manager Jim Leyland left his rotation open for the final weekend …

Padres-Cardinals Preview  —  With their lead in the NL Central rapidly disappearing, the St. Louis Cardinals hope the return of Jim Edmonds can provide the boost the team desperately needs.  —  Edmonds and the Cardinals continue a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday …

Cloud follows Martinez, Mets' plans  —  Righty makes final regular-season start Wednesday  —  ATLANTA — The Mets play three games here this week, three games of no consequence in terms of their playoff positioning.  Pedro Martinez starts one of them, though, and for him and the Mets …

Girardi wants to stay with Marlins  —  Manager denies speculation he wants job with Cubs  —  MIAMI — As far as Joe Girardi is concerned, he was hired as Marlins manager for three seasons, and he intends to fulfill the terms of his contract.  —  Speaking Tuesday afternoon before the Marlins faced …

Cubs' Rusch: `I was scared'  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Glendon Rusch was short of breath and when he hopped on the treadmill to do some running, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.  —  Dr. Stephen Adams wasted little time sending him to the emergency room of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

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 …

This Man Is Extremely, EXTREMELY Old  —  This bespeckled elderly gentleman is Silas Simmons, and he was recently discovered to be the oldest living Negro Leagues ballplayer.  He is 110 ... wha?  He's 110??!!  And he's 111 next month?  Jesus.  —  Anyway, he played for the Homestead Grays in 1913 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Tonight's start may be Jennings' last this year  —  Jason Jennings knows the end will come someday.  But will it be today?  There's a strong possibility Jennings will pull the curtain on one of the best years by a Rockies starter when he faces the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight.

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.

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.