Cardinals bring back the October magic  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8285  —  LOS ANGELES  • Having done his part to once again set the stage for his teammates to pull off the unthinkable, Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright went looking for food.  He was starving.

Jake Peavy leads Giants over Nationals in opening game  —  Never much of a post-season performer, Jake Peavy sure outpitched Stephen Strasburg in the former No. 1 pick's playoff debut.  —  Guess that October aura the San Francisco Giants proudly own has rubbed off on Peavy.

Pirates Designate Jose Tabata For Assignment  —  The Pirates have designated right-handed-hitting outfielder Jose Tabata for assignment, according to the MLB.com transactions page.  Tabata's struggles led to him being outrighted earlier in the year, though he made his way back to the big league roster …

Hosmer's HR gives Royals 2-0 ALDS lead over Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Breaking down Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Angel Stadium:  —  Box score: Royals 4, Angels 1, Royals lead series 2-0  —  Royals 4, Angels 1: The majors' best team in the regular season is one loss away from a quick and ignominious exit from the playoffs.

Shaky Tigers bullpen may be deciding factor vs. Orioles  —  BALTIMORE - The Detroit Tigers entered this year's playoffs with a trio of Cy Young Award winners in their starting rotation - and a whole lot of question marks in the bullpen.  —  If the script for Game 1 of the American League …

Banks, Caray sculptures to be refurbished during offseason  —  The Ernie Banks statue at Wrigley Field will be refurbished during the stadium's renovation.  —  CHICAGO — Renovations to 100-year-old Wrigley Field continued Wednesday as the statue of Ernie Banks on Clark Street was temporarily removed for restoration.

Process will begin next week with interim manager on list  —  9/27/14: Rangers president and GM Jon Daniels joins the team's broadcast booth to discuss the team's offseason plans  —  ANAHEIM — Tim Bogar is one of six candidates who will interview for the Rangers managerial opening beginning early next week.

Mets not giving Wally Backman promotion  —  The Mets will have a new addition to the coaching staff in 2015 - and it won't be Wally Backman.  —  Despite continued success at the minor league level, Backman will not be promoted to the staff next season, a source told Record baseball columnist Bob Klapisch.

Kevin Towers Leaving Diamondbacks Organization  —  After being replaced as the general manager of the Diamondbacks, Kevin Towers has declined an opportunity to stay on in another capacity, the club announced today.  The club has also decided not to renew the contract of assistant GM Billy Ryan.

Phillies ownership shake-up possible but not imminent  —  The Phillies formed a limited partnership in 1981 to purchase the team for $30 million, and that group has operated with relative secrecy ever since.  But greater expectations amid a rising payroll sidetracked by recent failures …

Kiner, Enberg among Frick finalists  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Former slugger Ralph Kiner and longtime announcer Dick Enberg are among the 10 finalists for the 2015 Ford C. Frick Award presented by the Hall of Fame for excellence in baseball broadcasting.  —  The Hall announced the finalists Friday.