Francona expected to leave Red Sox  —  Terry Francona will meet with Red Sox management on Friday morning, and the expected resolution is that he no longer will be the team's manager, major league sources say.  —  While Francona's departure is not certain, it is the likely outcome …

Unlikable Red Sox flunked chemistry  —  Somehow the team became what it once abhorred — arrogant, complacent and entitled  —  You can wring your hands all you want over whether Jonathan Papelbon served up the wrong pitch to Robert Andino or why Marco Scutaro hesitated just long enough …

Petco Park claims another victim as Padres fire hitting coach Randy Ready  —  Earlier this season general manager Jed Hoyer tried to deflect criticism aimed at hitting coach Randy Ready for the Padres' offensive struggles, but today the team fired Ready after 2.5 seasons on the job.

NLDS Preview: Phillies vs. Cardinals  —  Why the Phillies Will Win: The Phillies boast the best pitching staff in baseball and can throw three of the NL's top 10 starters in four of five possible games.  Should they fail to sweep, they'll be forced to hold their nose, avert their eyes, and hand the ball to... Roy Oswalt.

Baseball Night in America  —  Baseball, like life, revolves around anticlimax.  That in many ways is the beauty of it.  I realize that's a hard thing to explain to someone who doesn't love baseball, no, more than hard, it's an impossible thing to explain because many people want sports to be more than life …

Dodgers need to swing for the fences on new deal with Matt Kemp  —  The Dodgers will probably need to pay close to $200 million to keep the star center fielder in Los Angeles.  And they'll need to move quickly.  The question is, do they have the resources?

Cardinals broadcaster McLaughlin again arrested for DWI  —  Cardinals broadcaster Dan McLaughlin has been cited for drunken driving for the second time after a stop by Chesterfield police on Sunday.  Police said McLaughlin, 37, was stopped at 10:13 p.m. on Baxter Road and Isleview Drive after he crashed his vehicle.

Marlins might not be interested in Ramirez  —  Aramis Ramirez's first choice is staying with the Cubs, but he admires Ozzie Guillen.  Denis Poroy~Getty Images  —  SAN DIEGO — Despite Aramis Ramirez's willingness to put the Florida Marlins on a short list of teams he'd consider signing …

A's could hear soon on possible move to San Jose  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Athletics general manager Billy Beane expects to hear “very soon” from Commissioner Bud Selig about whether the club will be allowed to move south to San Jose and build a new ballpark.

The Problem of Pain  —  So, let's talk about last night.  Pull up a chair; this may take a little while.  —  First, let me say that last night was (with a caveat) one of the most exciting nights of baseball possible.  It was epic, compelling, great fun to watch and follow.