Red Sox tab Papelbon as starter  —  BOSTON (AP) — Jonathan Papelbon will be a starter, Trot Nixon might be an opponent and Theo Epstein is a realist.  —  Injuries and poor play in the second half of the season kept the Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs for the first time in Epstein's four years as general manager.

MacPhail resigns as Cubs president  —  John McDonough will serve as interim president  —  Andy MacPhail resigned as president of the Cubs on Sunday.  —  MacPhail will remain with the team to ensure a smooth transition to a new president and to complete his assignment representing Major League Baseball …

Sources: Girardi to be let go on Tuesday  —  Braves' Gonzalez would be leading candidate to take over  —  MIAMI — The season finale came and went Sunday afternoon for the Marlins, and there was still no definitive word on Joe Girardi's managerial future.  —  Following an emotional finish …

Opponent Is Set, and Mets Look Inward  —  Several hours before the Mets knew they would be playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the National League division series that begins Wednesday, David Wright said that the team sitting in the other dugout would not really matter.

Clemens, Pettitte deny Grimsley report  —  Houston pitchers say they've never used illegal substances  —  ATLANTA — Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens heard the rumors months ago, when the infamous affidavit was posted online for the public to view.  —  They had heard that their names …

Padres wrap up NL West title  —  Friars edge D-Backs, head home for NLDS vs. Cardinals  —  PHOENIX — The Padres claimed back-to-back National League West titles for the first time in franchise history when they beat the Diamondbacks, 7-6, on Sunday in front of 48,946 at Chase Field …

The Couch Slouch: Ask A-Rod: N.Y. fans are jerks  —  Here's the good news for Alex Rodriguez: He's the best player in baseball playing in the greatest city in the world.  Here's the bad news for Alex Rodriguez: If the Yankees lose this postseason and he plays poorly, they'll run his two-time MVP butt out of town in a New York minute.

Lind's blast lifts Jays over Yanks  —  Two-run shot ends Toronto's 2006 season on high note  —  NEW YORK — For the last time this season, John Gibbons tossed his hat onto a clubhouse desk and leaned back in his chair.  The Blue Jays' skipper sported a grin as he discussed Toronto's final contest …

Manuel to meet with Gillick this week  —  Phils skipper to discuss future with club's general manager  —  MIAMI — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel leaned back and rubbed the remaining bit of white hair on his scalp.  Despite reluctantly giving his final postgame press conference of the season …

Playoff matchups set; Tigers to open at Yankee Stadium  —  NEW YORK (AP) — If the Detroit Tigers are going to extend their surprising season by making a run in the playoffs, they'll have to get past the New York Yankees.  —  After wasting several chances to wrap up an AL Central title …

MLB's postseason eight is set  —  NL West, AL Central to be decided on final day of season  —  Never in Major League Baseball history have so many fates been decided so late, but finally the 2006 postseason is all set.  —  Here are the Division Series opening matchups:  —  Tigers at Yankees, 8 p.m. ET Tuesday

Walker defends Sox power strategy  —  Hitting coach puzzled by negativity surrounding homers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Ask Greg Walker if he is ready for the offseason to begin, and the affable White Sox hitting coach will offer up a resigned smile with his response.  —  "It's disappointing that it's beginning so soon," Walker said.

Pen will tell story  —  Unit's mound session today will let him know if his bad back can go  —  Randy Johnson will climb atop the bullpen mound at Yankee Stadium this morning and test his aching back.  Only then will he begin to know if he can do the same thing on a real mound in the playoffs.

No need to fire Buck; he'll resign  —  In Seattle today, Buck Showalter will manage his final game with the Rangers.  —  That's not a scoop, nor is it an announcement.  —  Owner Tom Hicks, in fact, told the [Randy] Galloway and Co. radio audience on ESPN/103.3 FM on Friday that the manager's fate remains "open-ended."

Cardinals hold on for third consecutive NL Central title  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals clinched their third straight NL Central title Sunday when the second-place Houston Astros lost 3-1 in Atlanta.  —  A sellout crowd at Busch Stadium stood and broke into an impromptu tomahawk chop …