Blame Theo for reeling BoSox's bare staff  —  The Red Sox have the second-worst September record in the American League.  Their wild-card lead is down to an uncomfortable two games.  They are playing an ugly brand of baseball, and even Theo Epstein and Terry Francona (best organization evah!) are taking criticism.

Berkman talks hit a speed bump  —  • The Cardinals and pending free agent first baseman Lance Berkman remain engaged in talks regarding a one-year contract.  After the talks showed initial signs of promise, an agreement remains elusive because of a difference of opinion over its worth …

Lasorda to be Dodgers coach on Thursday  —  LOS ANGELES — Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda will serve as an honorary coach Thursday, his 84th birthday and the final home game of the season for the Dodgers.  —  Current manager Don Mattingly made the invitation to Lasorda, whose Dodgers managerial …

2011 Gulf Coast League Top 20 Prospects  —  The Yankees have built one of the most productive international programs in the game, and they used that talent and the early signing of league MVP Dante Bichette to carry them to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League championship.

Mariano Rivera always a cutter above the rest, Yankees closer and class act basks in own glory  —  In the joyous aftermath of freezing a 23-year-old September call-up named Chris Parmelee for a called third strike to seal his record-breaking 602nd save, Mariano Rivera stood alone …

Guillen hopes to find out status with Sox before Spain trip  —  CLEVELAND — Manager Ozzie Guillen hopes to find out his status with the White Sox before leaving for a trip to Spain with his wife two days after the conclusion of the regular season.  —  “I hope I do,” Guillen said Tuesday.

Diamondbacks president announces he has cancer  —  PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks say team president and chief executive Derrick Hall has prostate cancer.  —  The team said Tuesday a prostate biopsy was performed on Sept. 14, which was diagnosed as positive and revealed tumors.

Can Ruben Tejada replace Jose Reyes at SS?  —  According to David Lennon in a report for Newsday, ‘Jose Reyes and Ruben Tejada have developed a mentor-pupil type relationship,’ especially now that they share the same agent.  —  “I used to be 150 pounds (at his age),” Reyes said, according to Lennon, in regards to Tejada.

190,000-plus register with Brewers for playoff tickets  —  The Milwaukee Brewers said Tuesday that they have received more than 190,000 entries from fans looking to buy single-game tickets for potential National League Division Series games.  —  Online registration for the so-called …

Video: Paul DePodesta talks about data & tech in baseball  —  Hat tip to Kerel Cooper from On the Black for the link.

His pitchers decision: They shouldn't win MVP award  —  It's a “you wanna step outside?” issue in Detroit.  The Big Meanies out there in the Great Beyond are going to deprive Justin Verlander of his rightful American League Most Valuable Player award.  —  The Tigers righthander has been the best pitcher in baseball this year.

Kennedy Wins 20th, Diamondbacks Beat Pirates 1-0  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Ian Kennedy pitched eight dominant innings to become the NL's first 20-game winner, Justin Upton hit a broken-bat homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks moved a step closer to their first NL West title in four years with a 1- victory …