What to expect as Mets face Dodgers in NLDS: Lots of Ruben Tejada at shortstop  —  PHILADELPHIA — You don't want to read about that game, do you?  No?  Good.  Let's talk about the division series.  —  As the Mets proceed into their final weekend of garbage time, they have a decent grasp …

Control issues have been costly for Wacha  —  ATLANTA  • Other than the obvious concern for his long-term health, a chief reason why the Cardinals wanted to monitor and reduce Michael Wacha's workload during the season was to be sure they had their young starter crisp and ready for October.

Sources: If healthy, Farrell will return as Red Sox manager  —  NEW YORK — It's a question that has hovered over the Red Sox for several weeks now, intensifying with each day as the season draws to a close: Who will manage the team next year?  —  Some have come to label it the elephant in the room …

Rangers Win, Securing Spot in Postseason  —  The Texas Rangers clinched a wild-card spot and moved to the cusp of the American League West title on Thursday night, with a three-run double by Adrian Beltre backing Derek Holland in a 5-3 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels.

Twins Rally for 4-2 Win Over Indians, Gain on Wild Card  —  CLEVELAND — Pinch-runner Eduard Nunez scored from third base on a wild pitch and Torii Hunter hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to give Minnesota a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, moving the Twins a little closer to an AL wild-card spot.

Yankees Hold On to Clinch Wild Card  —  As Adam Warren saw the hard grounder coming back up the middle, he knew he was in trouble.  His balance was betraying him, and he began to topple backward.  —  So Warren did all he could do: He reached his glove out behind his back.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy says he has played entire season with torn labrum in left shoulder … Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy revealed Thursday that he has been playing the entire season with a torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder.  —  Hardy said he does not plan to have surgery in the offseason.

COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB  —  WILIN ROSARIO WANTS MORE PLAYING TIME AND MORE AT-BATS  —  “If they want to move me, I'm good with it,” Rosario said.  —  The Denver Post  —  Wilin Rosario (20) of the Colorado Rockies reacts to flying out to Joc Pederson (31) of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a National League west showdown.

AL East Champ Blue Jays Rest Starters in Rainy Loss to O's  —  BALTIMORE — The Toronto Blue Jays extended the celebration of their first AL East title in 22 years, resting their starters Thursday in a rain-marred 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Manny Machado homered twice for the Orioles …

2015 Midwest League Top 20 Prospects  —  See Also: Midwest League/South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects Chat With J.J. Cooper  —  MIDWEST LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS  —  West Michigan may have won the low Class A Midwest League title, but in all likelihood, Quad Cities will be the team to remember from 2015.

Reds' Losing Streak Reaches 12 With 5-3 Loss to Cubs  —  CINCINNATI — Evidence of the Reds' growing pains showed in a decisive pitch by rookie John Lamb to Austin Jackson that led to another loss.  —  Jackson hit a three-run homer in the third inning, Anthony Rizzo added an RBI double …

I'm retiring.  Here are five things I won't miss about baseball  —  Mariano Rivera.  Babe Ruth.  Christy Mathewson.  Sandy Koufax.  —  Jeremy Affeldt?!  —  Even now, three World Series rings later, it sounds almost comical when I hear my name mentioned among some of the greatest players in baseball history.

Rewind: Leake calls reunion with Giants ‘strong possibility’  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Leake asked Brandon Crawford to pick his walk-up song Wednesday and he ended up with a gem, “Ghetto Superstar.”  Leake's next decision will be a bit more complicated, and it's a life-changing one he'll have to make mostly on his own.