NL could be in playoff tiebreakers until Thursday … If you think the National League standings are making you blind, it could easily get worse.  —  Try looking at the tie-breaker scenarios.  —  If five teams in the East and West finish the season with the same record …

Marlins complete 3-game sweep of Cubs  —  MIAMI (AP) — Swept by lowly Florida, the Chicago Cubs shambled out of town Thursday with this consolation: If they make the playoffs, they won't have to face the Marlins again.  —  The problem is Chicago may not make the playoffs.

Bavasi, McLaren to return for 2008 season  —  General manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren will return for the 2008 Mariners season.  —  Seattle CEO Howard Lincoln and club president Chuck Armstrong said Thursday afternoon "we have the right two guys for us" in their leadership positions.

Brewers' McClung, Yost suspended  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers reliever Seth McClung was suspended for three games and Milwaukee manager Ned Yost for one after the commissioner's office concluded Thursday the pitcher intentionally hit the Cardinals' Albert Pujols with a pitch a night earlier after a warning had been issued.

Yanks clinch 13th straight playoff berth  —  Seven-run fifth against Rays helps secure October appearance  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Celebrate!  The Yankees popped the corks and sprayed some bubbly on Wednesday, clinching their 13th consecutive postseason appearance with a 12-4 victory over the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.

Sox still trail by one  —  A lot going on in the fifth.  To recap: Twins second baseman Nick Punto started the top of the inning with a double to center.  He ended up coming home on a two-out single by Torii Hunter up the middle.  Dustin Pedroia (of course) dove to get the ball in short center …

Will Pirates take from main roster to finance development?  —  New GM says 2008 important to management, but players skeptical  —  Neal Huntington, the Pirates' new general manager, sent a shudder through the players' clubhouse when, in his introductory media session Tuesday, he uttered two R-words.

preGame: Mets vs. Cardinals  —  The Game  —  The first-place Mets (87-71) host a makeup game against the Cardinals (74-84) this evening at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EDT.  —  The Lineup  — SS Jose Reyes  — 2B Luis Castillo  — 3B David Wright  — CF Carlos Beltran

Mets' Marlon Anderson loses appeal  —  Marlon Anderson's two-game suspension was upheld by Major League Baseball on appeal, meaning he won't be available to the New York Mets on Thursday and Friday.  —  Anderson, 33, is New York's finest pinch-hitter, cranking out 10 hits in his last 22 …

Mets stumbling toward finish line  —  Alou extends hit streak to 30, but Amazin's continue to reel  —  NEW YORK — Waves of worry washed over Shea Stadium on Wednesday night, when the Mets slipped closer to the once implausible.  Yet another loss to the Nationals had seriously imperiled their lead in the National League East.

Skip Caray left off TBS' postseason lineup  —  Longtime broadcaster voices displeasure at decision  —  TBS named its broadcast lineup for the baseball playoffs this week, and Skip Caray was none too happy about being excluded.  —  "It hurt my feelings, and I'm mad at myself for thinking …

Giants, not-so-happy Bonds prepare to enter a new era  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run king, talks softly, his dark brown eyes smoldering in pain.  —  This makes no sense to him.  He had hoped to tell the San Francisco Giants when he was leaving, not the other way around.