Sweep revenge in sight for Mets?  —  Eight.  That's how many wins in a row the Phillies posted against the Mets to close last season and contribute to one of the greatest collapses - or comebacks, depending on your perspective - in baseball history.  —  Now, the Mets have a chance for payback.

No big free agents in '09  —  Many of you wrote in yesterday, asking me what the Mariners were going to do free-agent-wise in 2009.  I wanted to wait until I had a chance to speak to team president Chuck Armstrong (pictured above, with manager Jim Riggleman) about it.  And what many of you suspected is true.

Rodriguez strikes out on 4-2 pitch  —  Angels don't notice mistake and have no course for appeal  —  DETROIT — Yes, it even can happen in the Major Leagues.  —  Angels second baseman Sean Rodriguez actually struck out in the fourth inning on Thursday at Comerica Park on a 4-2 pitch.

Pedroia Surprise MVP Candidate  —  BOSTON — With every hit, the chants grew louder at Fenway Park.  —  By the time the Red Sox finished their homestand with a victory over the Orioles Wednesday, cries of “MVP, MVP” reverberated each time Dustin Pedroia stepped into the batter's box.

Pettitte's future up in the air  —  The smart money early this season would have been on the Yankees re-signing one of their veteran starting pitchers - Andy Pettitte - while saying thank you and so long to the other, Mike Mussina.  —  With just a few weeks left in the season, the odds have shifted.

Ex-Orioles infielder Todd Cruz dead at 52  —  Six weeks ago, during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Orioles' last world championship, Todd Cruz stood on the field at Camden Yards and reveled in the moment.  —  “Being with these guys here is like being a little kid …

Twins end road trip with loss to Jays  —  Team falls 1 1/2 games behind White Sox in AL Central  —  TORONTO — It was a road trip the Twins had been dreading all season.  —  Their longest such trek in 39 years, the Twins endured 14 games in 15 days, across four different cities …

Wily Kazmir dominates Yanks in finale  —  Rays ace allows just one hit in picking up his 11th victory  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Six goose eggs by Scott Kazmir and a healthy dose of Willy Aybar put the Rays back in business on Thursday night.  —  Thanks to the pair's contributions …

La Russa expects commitment from club  —  Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  PHOENIX — Just over three weeks remain in the first installment of his two-year contract.  Tony La Russa says he likes his team and likes his job.  —  But with the Cardinals listing toward …

Martis outpitched in Nats debut  —  Rookie labors through five innings; Belliard strains groin  —  ATLANTA — Nationals right-hander Shairon Martis and catcher Luke Montz made their Major League debuts on Thursday night against the Braves, marking the first time in franchise history …

Marking time: Six look back at McGwire's home-run achievement  —  IT WAS A STORY told with exclamation points, not question marks.  It was a tale writ large and narrated in heroic terms.  It was a Paul Bunyan character with Popeye forearms riding to the rescue to save baseball after a ruinous strike.

Wild Schedule  —  The Brewers lost their fourth game in a row, falling to the Padres 5-2.  Every starter in the Milwaukee lineup collected exactly one hit, but they could not string them together.  This against a pitcher, Shawn Estes who spent three months recuperating from a broken thumb …

Wolf keeping all options open for '09  —  Veteran lefty has never been to postseason in 10-year career  —  DENVER — When general manager Ed Wade acquired Randy Wolf from the Padres in exchange for a Minor League pitcher, he was criticized, and even ridiculed, for bringing an expensive soon …

Zambrano may miss only one start for Cubs  —  Shoulder trouble not considered serious  —  Carlos Zambrano showed up for his rescheduled MRI, his anti-inflammatory shot and the charter flight to Cincinnati, all in one day.  —  The Cubs now hope he will show up for a start next weekend in Houston …

The Empire Strikes (Again).  Star Wars Ads Invade MLB.com  —  A few short months ago, the baseball community was abuzz regarding the integrated advertisement for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull within MLB.com's schedule of games.  —  Now, get ready for Darth Vader.