BRAVES BLEW CHANCE TO BRING GLAVINE BACK  —  FORGET about if Tom Glavine is going to pitch next year.  It was his decision for this current season that altered the NL East balance of power.  —  He all but begged the Braves to return him to Atlanta to win his 300th game in his most familiar uniform and to be near his family.

BoSox have baseball's best organization  —  Special to FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  In some senses, it's fitting that the Boston Red Sox have the best record in baseball.  They are, after all, the model organization in the game today.

Cubs back in 1st with win  —  Despite Dempster's bizarre 9th, Cubs grab share of Central lead  —  HOUSTON — When Houston shortstop Mark Loretta started the bottom of the ninth inning with a ground ball that took a freakish bounce off the first base bag and wound up in right field for a base hit …

Marlins Knock Off Nationals in a Slugfest  —  Bacsik Gets Shelled, Florida Totals 21 Hits: Marlins 13, Nationals 8  —  What occurred Tuesday night at Dolphin Stadium defied easy classification.  Was it a thrilling slugfest?  A migraine-inducing display of pitiable pitching?

Blue Jays mail bag  —  Baseball columnist Richard Griffin answers your Blue Jays questions in his mail bag.  This week: Road woes, the Matt Stairs fan club, and Vernon Wells' shoulder.  —  Q: Hi Richard,  —  I enjoy reading your mailbag every week.  One thing I've wondered about this season is the Jays' road record.

Pettitte plans to stay put  —  TORONTO — Andy Pettitte would be by far the best pitcher on the free-agent market, should he decline his player option for 2008.  —  But Pettitte said yesterday that he has no intention of testing the market; he will play for the Yankees or not at all.

Best record sets your own schedule … It's not just bragging rights over the Yankees or home-field advantage in the playoffs that is riding on the Red Sox [team stats] maintaining the best record in baseball.  —  It's all about picking their own playoff schedule in the Division Series.

Rise and fall of the pennant race (cont.)  —  And now, three down ...  1. Mariners.  GM Bill Bavasi planned to recommend a return for solid baseball man John McLaren, assuming the team performed at all for him.  However, McLaren, who's never been saddled with the "interim'' manager tag …

What's Craig Biggio Got to Do with Paula Marshall?  Not Much, But Hear Us Out.  —  I'm watching the Astros battle the Cubs last night, and Jim Deshaies and Bill Brown start talking about how Cecil Cooper's not playing J.R. Towles in the games against the Cubs because he doesn't want to mess with the dreaded integrity of the game.

Astros acquire Sarfate from Brewers  —  Right-hander will join Astros tomorrow; Asencio designated for assignment  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Dennis Sarfate from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.

Tigers keep pace in wild card race  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  DETROIT (AP) - Magglio Ordonez hit a three-run home run, Gary Sheffield had a two-run homer and Justin Verlander allowed only a run, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

5 Questions with... Tal Smith of the Astros  —  One aspect of The Biz of Baseball that I've always enjoyed doing are the interviews we've published.  Of all the feedback we get at the Business of Sports Network, it is the long list of Q&As with those that work in sports business that always garner the most interest with readers.

Gnarly Hustle  —  Two years after his career appeared to be over, Eric Byrnes has made himself into much more than a high-energy novelty act for the National League's most surprising contender  —  The shaggin' wagon is on the move.  It's 1 p.m. on a baking hot Thursday in Phoenix …

Dates, opponents set for finales at NYC stadiums  —  NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium is set to host its final regular-season game on Sept. 21, 2008, with New York playing Baltimore.  —  Shea Stadium will hold its regular-season wrapup a week later, on Sept. 28 against Florida.

Dodgers' Lowe scratched from start against Pads  —  LOS ANGELES — A bruised hand forced right-hander Derek Lowe out of Wednesday night's start against the San Diego Padres, and will keep him on the sidelines until this weekend at the earliest.  —  Right-hander Chad Billingsley replaced Lowe …

Mets Notes: Hernandez not right  —  Do you remember what I wrote last night, that Hernandez's problems was rust related?  Well, he's complaining about his foot again.  I should have seen it coming.  The Mets say he'll make his next start, but that's why they call them ``probables'' and not ``definites.''

Peavy is logical choice for Cy Young and MVP  —  LOS ANGELES - Since no hitter stands head and shoulders above this National League season, maybe the Most Valuable Player can be found at an elevation of 10 inches.  —  Perhaps there's an argument worth advancing on behalf of a pitcher.