A Detroit Tiger Lesson in Competitive Aikido  —  "The more your predictable your behavior is, the higher the returns on significantly  —  changing your behavior" — Angus' Fourth Law of Competition  —  The Detroit Tigers have the reputation of being a team that's "aggressive" in their hitting style.

Rockies, Jennings talking extension  —  Right-hander posted second-lowest ERA in club history  —  DENVER — The Rockies are discussing a contract extension with right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings, who posted the second-lowest ERA in club history in 2006.  —  The Rockies hold …

Nationals dismiss Soriano report  —  Rijo: Not privy to latest negotiations between club, outfielder  —  NEW YORK — Nationals president Stan Kasten and Jose Rijo, the team's assistant to general manager Jim Bowden, denied a report that quoted Rijo saying that left fielder Alfonso Soriano turned …

Now Kinney hunts for a pennant  —  NEW YORK — On a night where there weren't many feel-good stories in baseball, starting with the tragic death of New York Yankees righthander Cory Lidle and descending to a comparatively insignificant rainout of Game 1 in the National League Championship Series …

YANKEE'S PLANE CRASH INSPIRES AUCTION RUSH  —  The story of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle's small plane crash and the ensuing collective 9/11 flashback might have caused a dip in the stock market.  But another market turned suddenly bullish: eBay trading in Cory Lidle merchandise.

We're Screwed  —  When I heard Chambliss was fired, I thought well okay, Krivsky wants to bring in his own guy.  Probably not a knock on Chambliss or anything.  Surely Chambliss isn't taking the blame for the offensive nosedive at the end of the season.  —  Really, I should know better:

A-Rod could enhance trade value by playing SS  —  Can Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez still play shortstop?  —  If so, it would increase the number of teams that would be interested in trading for him this off-season.  —  Equally important, the prospect of returning to short could help persuade Rodriguez to approve a trade.

Clocking Pitches, Give or Take 3 M.P.H.  —  In George Plimpton's fantastical hoax in Sports Illustrated about a reclusive yogi and pitcher named Sidd Finch, he concocted a scene at spring training in 1985 in which the Mets measured the speed of the mystery man's fastball.

Piniella unlikely to wait for offer from Giants  —  NATIONALS, CUBS IN HUNT FOR HIM?  —  The Giants are lagging behind the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals in their search for a manager, and a source close to prime candidate Lou Piniella said he wouldn't wait around to consider all offers.

Second Verse, Same as the First  —  No great new insights here on today's game — go check out yesterday's post if you want that sort of analysis.  And today is mainly links to other folks who have written intelligent stuff, rather than reinventing the wheel myself...  First, about Cory Lidle.

The replacement killers  —  A team with one of the worst offenses in playoff history loses the league MVP to injury as it enters the World Series.  It's facing one of the most talented ballclubs ever assembled.  With its biggest threat on the shelf, the team subs in a 33-year-old bench-warmer …

Notes: Miller to catch for Brewers in '07  —  Veteran exercised his player option and will play for Milwaukee  —  MILWAUKEE — Veteran catcher Damian Miller exercised his contract option on Thursday and will be back with the team in 2007.  —  Miller, who battled back and Achilles tendon injuries late …

Smith resigns from Dodgers front office  —  VP of scouting and player development ends two-year run  —  LOS ANGELES — Roy Smith, Dodgers vice president of scouting and player development, resigned on Friday to pursue other opportunities.  —  Smith, a former Major League pitcher …

Q&A: Gary Cohen  —  Longtime Mets broadcaster previews NLCS matchup  —  Gary Cohen was the radio voice of the Mets for 17 years before joining SNY's Cable TV broadcast booth this season.  —  SI.com: This is the first time since 1988 that the Mets have made it deeper into the postseason than the Yankees.