Simulations heavily favor Rays to win Series  —  The 2008 postseason has produced one of the more intriguing World Series matchups in recent years: a pair of “Cinderella” stories.  The young upstarts from Tampa Bay, who went from worst to first after beating the defending champion Red Sox and the big-market …

Despite clean bill of health, Padres are gauging Peavy's trade value  —  Why are the Padres interested in finding out what Jake Peavy might bring on the trade market?  —  If they have concerns about Peavy's violent delivery, medical history and reluctance to trust his changeup - and …

Last Year's Free Agent Bargain  —  Yesterday, we looked at Mark Ellis' new contract and how it makes it likely that he'll end up being the best bargain of the 2009 free agent crop.  Well, let's take a look back a year later and see who (so far) has been the best signing from last winter.

Mets likely to retain Johnson, Warthen  —  Pitching, hitting coaches were praised for work in 2008 season  —  NEW YORK — Changes to the coaching staff of Mets manager Jerry Manuel remain a possibility.  Those revisions, though, apparently will affect the status of neither Dan Warthen nor Howard Johnson.

Don't be a hater: This World Series is must-see TV  —  When the first round of the MLB playoffs ended, the drumbeat for a Red Sox-Dodgers World Series began.  Two storied franchises in two huge markets.  The Red Sox versus Joe Torre, and Derek Lowe, and Nomaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.

Bob Costas May Become Part of MLB Network Broadcast Stable  —  While no contract agreement is in the offing, the Sports Business Daily is reporting that the MLB Network is in talks to bring Bob Costas on-board as part of the fledgling network's growing list of broadcasters.

Stuck in Tampa with hardly a Ray of hope  —  THE ATTACK on Philadelphia came yesterday, predictable as the sunrise.  (It was almost as predictable as the coming collapse of the wet-behind-the-ears, error-prone x-Rays.)  —  The attack came winging north from fetid Tampa Bay, launched by a Tampa Tribune columnist by the name of Ruth.

Joba Chamberlain's mom speaks on son's arrest  —  LINCOLN, Neb. - Jackie Standley said she knows her son, Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, is having a tough time after he was stopped on suspicion of DUI Saturday morning.  —  Standley said if she could see him, she'd give him one simple message.

Moneyball  —  I thought I'd go dig out some quotes from Michael Lewis's book, especially from the chapter on the 2002 draft.  Billy Beane desperately wanted Nick Swisher with the 16th pick, and was worried about other teams taking him first, especially the Mets, drafting one spot higher.

Gonzalez: The House That Tax Subsidies Built  —  The federal government just gave America's richest sports team another gift.  —  For the second time in two years, the Internal Revenue Service has approved special rules that allow the Yankees to use additional tax-free bonds to pay the skyrocketing costs of the team's new stadium.

Hendry signed to four-year extension  —  Third-longest-tenured Cubs GM won consecutive division titles  —  CHICAGO — Jim Hendry, who has guided the Cubs to the postseason three times during his six full seasons as general manager, has been given a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.