Bullpen thwarts Cubs' hopes  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Logan Kensing wasn't the least bit concerned about the last-place Marlins sending Cubs fans into a panic over the possibility of another late-season collapse.  —  "I cannot stand Cubs fans,'' the Florida reliever said after the Marlins dealt another blow …

Mets show how much pressure they are feeling  —  Until now you could blame it on the bullpen, on bad pitching up and down the staff, and while that may not soften the fall, pitching is pitching.  Last night was different.  Last night the Mets played scared.

Bavasi, McLaren to return for 2008 season  —  Howard Lincoln freely admits he doesn't come out of this season fully satisfied with the Mariners' results.  —  "It's a year of mixed emotions," the club CEO said Thursday in announcing that general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren will return in 2008.

Chilling reminder  —  Bubbly on hold; Sox' lead cut to 2  —  It wasn't for a lack of trying.  While Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter were given the night off by the Yankees, 20-game winner Josh Beckett threw 99 pitches for the Red Sox, David Ortiz reached base five times …

Races could reach dizzying heights  —  Complex tiebreaker scenarios loom in National League  —  Brace yourself.  —  That is the message Major League Baseball essentially sent everyone on the final Thursday of this unforgettable regular season, holding further coin tosses due to four …

Notes: Biggio to catch one last time  —  Berkman rests knee; Brown, Deshaies, Ford recognized  —  CINCINNATI — As a kid growing up in Galveston, Texas, Brandon Backe attended his fair share of games at the Astrodome.  He idolized Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, and he has vivid memories …

Mediocrity, parity is winning combination for Selig  —  Too bad Abbott and Costello aren't around to do a routine on this wacky National League finish.  It's not who's on first, it's who's in first?  —  Let's see, it could be: New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee, Arizona, San Diego or Colorado.

The Mystical Collapse of a Bullpen  —  For the Mets and their fans, the last two weeks have been less like a late season collapse and more like a mystical experience in which science and religion have converged and become one.  Many baseball teams have lost a lead down the stretch, but few …

Wang and Pettitte are Bombers' 1-2 punch in playoffs  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The Yankees won't announce their rotation for the division series until the matchups are officially set, but Joe Torre stated the obvious yesterday, saying that Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte will pitch the first two games one way or another.

Red Sox Gearing Up For Postseason  —  BOSTON - With the regular season down to its final weekend, the Red Sox were preparing not only to secure their first American League East title since 1995, but the league's best record, giving the team the right to choose which Division Series schedule they wish to play.