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  —  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.

Baek sharp for Mariners  —  Righty gives Seattle six solid innings in first start since June  —  On the day the Mariners announced general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren will return for the 2008 season, the team played one of its best games of the month.

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 …

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 …

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

Games of the Day  —  This afternoon's matchup between Brandon Webb and Paul Maholm appears to favor the Diamondbacks.  Not only is Webb the Arizona ace, but his ERA drops 0.3 runs on the road.  This means, of course, that the Rockies won't see Webb this weekend.

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 …

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.