Pavano expects to make next start  —  Righty left Sunday's game against Rays with left hip injury  —  NEW YORK — Carl Pavano landed awkwardly after throwing a pitch in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays and departed with what was diagnosed to be a stiff left hip.

Girardi is as delusional as ever  —  Another day, another couple of games mercifully knocked off the schedule for the Yankees, who'd like nothing more than a fast, under-the-radar exit to 2009.  But it won't be that easy for the $200 million Bombers, who are doing the equivalent of a September perp walk.

Don't Look at Us Now  —  About the best thing that the Royals have to say about themselves is that they aren't the Pirates.  The Pirates matched one of the most inglorious records in baseball history a week ago today when they clinched their 16th consecutive losing season, matching the 1933-48 Phillies streak of futility.

Ed Bouchette on the Steelers: Tom Brady is out.  Matt Cassel is in  —  A weekly look inside the team, the issues & the questions  —  Bill Belichick, this is your time to shine.  —  Or not.  —  An interesting scenario will play out in New England over the course of the next 15 games …

Niese cruises, Mets shut out Braves to earn split  —  Rookie Jonathon Niese threw eight scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Braves, 5-0, to earn a doubleheader split.  (Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr. / September 13, 2008)  —  When you combine what happened to the Mets last September …

Fire Away  —  Tim Lincecum threw 138 pitches against San Diego last night.  —  Let me make this as clear as I possibly can.  —  That is utterly, completely, and colossally reckless, stupid, arrogant, and just plain lazy.  Send in all the nasty emails calling me a geek who's never played you like.

Sox game delayed due to rain  —  The start of today's game between the White Sox and Detroit Tigers is being delayed by rain.  The teams plan to play a straight doubleheader when the rain subsides, rather than the split doubleheader that was originally planned.

Knight gets another day on the hill  —  Brandon Knight is expected to get a spot start on Wednesday in Washington, the Daily News has learned.  The void was created because Friday's rainout pushed Johan Santana to Saturday's matinee and prevents him from starting that game in D.C.

Astros-Cubs games moved to Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike  —  MILWAUKEE — With Hurricane Ike causing severe weather conditions throughout the Gulf Coast, Major League Baseball has moved two games between the Astros and Cubs to Miller Park.  The series will include a single game tomorrow …