Olney On Qualifying Offer Candidates  —  In his latest Insider-only blog, ESPN's Buster Olney runs down a list of pending free agents that are candidates to receive qualifying offers.  Olney spoke with several executives from around the league and is of the mind that James Shields, Max Scherzer …

Wilmer Flores homers twice, drives in 6 as Mets rout Marlins  —  Second baseman Wilmer Flores tapped into his inner power source to produce a monster night, homering twice and driving in six runs in the Mets' 9-1 victory over the Marlins Tuesday night at Citi Field.

Pedro Martinez says Mets ‘have the best nucleus of young pitchers’ in baseball  —  The future Hall of Famer beieves the ‘Mets can really do something’ if ace Matt Harvey stays healthy enough to guide a promising young staff that also includes Rookie of the Year candidate Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler.

Redmond: Stanton unlikely to return this season  —  After tests Tuesday, manager indicates slugger will not be medically cleared  —  Bill Ripken and Ryan Dempster talk about Giancarlo Stanton attempting to play again this season after being hit in the face with a pitch

PERFORMANCE IN SPITE OF INJURIES PROVES PLAYOFF PERSEVERANCE  —  Monday night, the Anaheim Angels of Southern California became the first team in the majors to clinch a spot in the postseason tournament.  This will be mentioned again, a bit later.  * First, though, I have to apologize for making fun of the Angels' chosen nomenclature.

Winging it: Angels' creativity produces MLB's best lineup  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Their lineup features a three-time MVP and this season's likely recipient of the game's top award in the American League, yet their cleanup hitters are often middle infielders who are not close to cracking double digits in home runs.

Rare flop by bullpen costs Royals in loss to White Sox  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis both gave up runs for the first time in nearly three months as the Kansas City Royals' dominant bullpen was touched up Tuesday night in a 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Omaha Wins Triple-A Championship (VIDEO)  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C.—On a sopping wet Tuesday evening, the Omaha Storm Chasers lived up to both their name and their title.  —  They entered Triple-A Championship Game, held at the Charlotte Knights' BB&T Ballpark, as the defending kings of the classification.

Peavy, Posey Help Giants Gain Ground in NL West  —  PHOENIX — Jake Peavy had another strong outing, Buster Posey homered and the San Francisco Giants gained a game in the NL West race with a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.  —  The victory, combined …

Girardi livid at Rays: Yanks ‘not pincushions’  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a loss that saw three New York Yankees ejected and the benches clear, a “pissed” Joe Girardi accused the Tampa Bay Rays of pitching inside incompetently.  —  What made Girardi ultimately erupt was when Derek Jeter …

Amarista's Homer Lifts Padres Over Phillies 5-4  —  SAN DIEGO — Alexi Amarista had three hits, including a go-ahead two-run homer, to lead the San Diego Padres to a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.  —  Amarista's two-out homer in the sixth inning off A.J. Burnett (8-17) put the Padres ahead 4-3.

Angels part ways with scout involved in Trout pick  —  9/13/14: Mike Trout launches two solo home runs in a win over the Astros, giving him 34 total on the season  —  ANAHEIM — Greg Morhardt, a scout who played a key role in the decision to take Mike Trout in the first round five years ago …