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 …

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?

Diamondbacks coach Baylor faints at Miller Park  —  MILWAUKEE—Arizona Diamondbacks batting coach Don Baylor was taken to a hospital after fainting at Miller Park on Friday morning.  —  Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said Baylor had a “fainting episode” after eating breakfast in the clubhouse …

Firefighter's Son to Throw 1st Pitch for Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The 6-year-old boy who saw his firefighter father fall to his death while trying to catch a ball for him during a Rangers game this summer was back at the stadium Friday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Rays pick rookie Matt Moore to start Game 1 of AL Division Series  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Of course they are.  —  In picking among three potential starters for today's opening game of the best-of-five AL Division Series, the Rays made the most unconventional and boldest choice …

Cards broadcaster McLaughlin cited for drunk driving  —  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.

Where collapses by Red Sox and Braves rank among worst ever … Wednesday night was not only one of the most thrilling nights of baseball in recent memory, it was also one of the most significant.  Not one but two of the most severe regular-season collapses in the game's history were completed.

Analysis: 2011 MLB Playoff Teams By Player Payroll  —  Baseball is broken.  That's what they say.  It's only teams with high payrolls that have a shot.  Well...  With heart-stopping excitement that the baseball gods gave us on the final day of the 2011 MLB season now in the books, the postseason is now set.

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.

Offense drops to two-decade low  —  NEW YORK — If you thought the 2011 season seemed like a throwback, you were right.  —  Offense dropped to a level not seen since Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling were dominating on the mound.  —  Nearly two decades later, Justin Verlander …