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.

Peralta Plays 1st Game in Tigers' Loss to Marlins  —  MIAMI — Detroit's Jhonny Peralta played in his first game since completing a 50-game suspension, going 1 for 4 with an RBI in the Tigers' 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday night.  —  Peralta, who was suspended for his involvement …

Duquette: Johnson in O's plans for 2014  —  Baltimore will offer contract to closer, who leads American League in saves  —  BALTIMORE — Closer Jim Johnson, one of several arbitration-eligible Orioles who will be getting a big raise in this winter, will be offered a contract for 2014 …

Games of the Day  —  The games of greatest interest take place early Saturday afternoon, starting with the Angels at the Rangers.  Unfortunately, we won't be able to see most of them as Fox took the 1 PM time slot for their National broadcast.  The Angels send Garrett Richards against Derek Holland in Texas.

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 …

C.J. Wilson blames slippery baseballs for control issues  —  Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson, who has never been shy about not taking responsibility for his poor starts, blamed his wild third inning on a batch of baseballs that hadn't been properly rubbed down.

Kershaw hushes Rockies as Dodgers romp  —  LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw is joining the pitching greats in baseball, although the Los Angeles Dodgers ace isn't reveling in his accomplishments.  —  He'd rather the team win its first World Series championship since 1988.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hamilton to put weight back on during offseason  —  ARLINGTON — Don't expect Josh Hamilton to come into Spring Training light again.  —  Last offseason, he started a natural-juice diet — or “lifestyle change,” as he calls it — and entered at an estimated 227 pounds, roughly 20 pounds lighter than normal.

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.