Ryder Cup 2016: American heckler wins $100 off Justin Rose  —  If you've got the nerve to heckle a Ryder Cup player over a missed putt, you'd better be good enough to show him how it's done.  —  Particularly when there's $100 up for grabs.  —  Let's let Open champion and European stalwart Henrik Stenson …

Cardinals Get a Key Hit, and a Key (Blown) Call  —  In a playoff race, everything is magnified.  Every key hit, every big defensive play, every vital strikeout.  —  And every umpiring mistake.  —  On Thursday night in St. Louis, the Cardinals were playing the Reds while fighting hard for a wild-card spot.

Three Needs: Cincinnati Reds  —  After the season concludes, we'll be looking at every team in the league in depth with MLBTR's annual Offseason Outlook series.  For the time being, though, we're taking preliminary big-picture looks at what some of the non-contending clubs will need to focus on as part of our Three Needs series.

Last Domino Falls In Affiliation Shuffle, Carolina Links With Brewers  —  After weeks of negotiations, all of high Class A is settled for the next two seasons at least.  The Carolina Mudcats announced on Friday that they had chosen the Brewers as their affiliate for the next two seasons.

Cubs-Pirates stopped by rain, first tie in majors since 2005  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates played to the first tie game in the major leagues since 2005 when rain forced the teams to stop in the sixth inning Thursday night with the score 1-all.

Was the Ricky Nolasco trade a mistake?  —  When Twins interim GM Rob Antony got the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to take Ricky Nolasco in a deal bundled with Alex Meyer, most of Twins Territory called it an unqualified success.  From Mike Bates to Seth Stohs to myself (who graded the deal …

A-Rod Starts New Role as Minor League Instructor in Tampa  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez is back on the field for the New York Yankees in his new role as an instructor.  —  A-Rod arrived Friday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, to work with prospects taking part in instructional league.

For Kansas City's toddlers, Royals missing playoffs is unheard of  —  You thought you were bummed about the Royals not making the playoffs?  Imagine being a parent who has to explain to a 2 year old that there will be no World Series appearance by the Royals this year.  —  The talk is coming soon.

Cueto Wins 18th to Keep Giants in Thick of Wild Card Race  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSEPT. 30, 2016, 1:39 A.M. E.D.T.  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Johnny Cueto pitched seven uneven innings for his 18th win and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Thursday night, setting up a wild race to the finish for the NL wild card.

Sandy Koufax' final victory might have been his best  —  As thousands of cellphone cameras went off like fireflies, the crowd rose to its feet, and the cheers echoed throughout Chavez Ravine.  It was Vin Scully Appreciation Night at Dodger Stadium this past Sunday, but this reception was not for him.

Ken Rosenthal's 2016 MLB awards  —  Official picks for the AL and NL MVP, Cy Young, Rookie and Manager of the Year  —  Pitchforks ready!  It's time for my 2016 awards.  —  As usual, I'll list the number of candidates the way the Baseball Writers Association of America ballots require …

Freeman's Streak Over, Braves Rally Past Phillies 5-2  —  ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman's 30-game hitting streak ended when he struck out in the eighth inning of a tie game Thursday night, but the Atlanta Braves managed to score four runs after that off Philadelphia closer Jeanmar Gomez and beat the Phillies 5-2.