Source: Piniella expects Cubs to go hard after A-Rod … CHICAGO — Lou Piniella, who will be formally introduced as the new Chicago Cubs manager Tuesday afternoon, wants to acquire embattled — and possibly available — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Rain Lets Glavine's Role as Ace Soak In  —  Tom Glavine woke up Monday morning to see rain pelting the windows of his hotel room.  He knew.  Another 24 hours before he would throw a meaningful pitch, another 24 hours of putting his mind through spin cycle.

Phils manage to send Manuel clear message  —  The team's three new coaches have a wealth of experience.  —  ST. LOUIS - If Pat Gillick's lukewarm endorsement on the final day of the regular season wasn't enough to make you believe that Charlie Manuel's seat will he hotter than a waffle iron come April …

Rain, Plot Thicken: Pujols, Rolen are story of day  —  A daylong rain postponed Monday's Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, allowing Cardinals starting pitcher Jeff Weaver and New York Mets 40-something lefthander Tom Glavine to return tonight on regular rather than short rest.

Mets reign over Mother Nature  —  Weather or not, she's on their side  —  ST. LOUIS - Mother Nature got hooked on the Mets this season because of the promotions.  There was Beach Towel Night on June 17, and Senior Stroll Day on June 22, and then who could resist Growth Chart Day on Aug. 20?

Red Sox hire Farrell to be pitching coach  —  John Farrell said his longstanding relationship with Terry Francona was at the forefront of his decision to accept the job as Red Sox pitching coach and leave a front-office position in Cleveland that a few baseball observers felt would have led to a general managing job in the near future.

Shame on Fox frauds for Lyons firing  —  Even if Steve Lyons meant it the way his bosses at Fox allegedly took it - Watch your wallet around the Spanish-speaking guy - it would have been just another crude joke on a network that cranks them out the way Spike TV cranks out car crashes.

Baker 'interested' in A's vacancy but won't call Beane  —  If hired, it would be a homecoming for the former Giants manager  —  The A's need a new manager, and former Giants skipper Dusty Baker says he'd "be interested."  —  "In the Bay Area, oh, yeah.  It would be nice for me and my family."

NLCS First pitch, Oct. 17  —  OVERHEARD  —  The Mets are expecting the Rockies to ask for permission to talk with Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, left, about Colorado's open hitting coach job.  Carter has managed the Mets' Single-A St. Lucie (Fla.) affiliate to back-to-back first-place finishes.