Blue Jays' final series key to Draft positioning  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays' final series of the year against the Rays will have implications for Tampa Bay in the American League Wild Card race, but it will also dictate where Toronto picks in next year's First-Year Player Draft.

Retaining Stanton Miami's priority  —  MIAMI — Speculation continues that the Marlins may be making front office changes after the season.  —  But there are strong indications that the club's top slugger will be part of the team's plans for 2014.  —  Sources say Giancarlo Stanton will remain with the Marlins.

BALTIMORE — Here's a statistic that captures the consistency, depth, relatively good health, talent and chemistry of the Red Sox this season:  —  They will finish the regular season without a four-game losing streak.  —  That hasn't been done in the majors since the 2005 St. Louis Cardinals.

Major Changes Could Come For Cuban Talent  —  The market for Cuban players—and the way that major league teams are able to scout them—could be on the verge of significant overhaul.  —  Mexican League officials are in discussions with the Cuban government to import top Cuban players to play in the Mexican League next season.

Kris Medlen, Braves edge Phillies despite Cliff Lee's 13 K's  —  ATLANTA — Kris Medlen is pitching like an ace.  —  That's good news for the Atlanta Braves' postseason hopes.  —  Chris Johnson led off the eighth inning with a homer to spoil an otherwise dominant start by Cliff Lee …

Mariners' manager Wedge will not return next season  —  SEATTLE — Seattle manager Eric Wedge has told the Mariners he will not return for next season.  —  The Mariners said Friday that Wedge will manage the final three games of the season against Oakland.

Kershaw hushes Rockies as Dodgers bash  —  LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw scattered four hits over six innings, Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis each homered and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 11-0 on Friday night.  —  Kershaw (16-9) lowered his ERA to 1.83 …

Tigers legend Brown dies at 74  —  MIAMI — Gates Brown, who was a key member of the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship team and a Major League legend as a pinch-hitter who was a Detroit icon long after his playing days were done, passed away on Friday at age 74.

His fate may be unclear, but GM Jerry Dipoto plans for Angels' future  —  The general manager looks to bolster a team whose owner is expected to make a decision about him soon.  Meanwhile, Angels fall to the Texas Rangers, 6-5.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto addressed …

Final Score: Brewers 4 Mets 2  —  The Least You Should Know...  Carlos Torres allowed three runs in the first inning thanks to two home runs, but didn't allow anything else through six innings.  —  Lucas Duda broke out of his 1-for-27 slump with a single, double and a run scored.

RECOMMEND  —  CINCINNATI — Marlon Byrd had three hits and Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer high off the batter's eye on Friday night, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 in a series that could decide the NL wild-card game host.  —  Both teams clinched postseason berths this week.

Yankees give Sandman a magical sendoff  —  NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera sat all alone at the end of the dugout late Thursday night.  The game was over, the Rays were celebrating their victory on the field and the Yankees had already retreated to the clubhouse.