Shea boo birds should give these Mets a break  —  Luis Ayala of the Mets kneels on the mound after giving up a home run in the 10th inning.  (Newsday/David L. Pokress / September 24, 2008)  —  The challenge for the Mets in the next four games is to find a way to make the playoffs despite …

Rest of MLB in awe of Rays' turnaround  —  Odds stacked against Tampa Bay, but it proved it could win big  —  ST PETERSBURG — When they set out this spring to put an end to their losing ways, the Rays didn't expect to be a role model for the rest of the league.

Part 2: Winter moves may hit M's hard at plate  —  There is one distraction Raul Ibanez has been unable to block out as he puts together one of his finest seasons.  —  Ibanez compares himself to “a racehorse with blinders on” because of the way he can focus on nothing more than the task ahead.

FREE-AGENT PITCHERS ON BOMBERS' RADAR  —  TORONTO - Is this a six-month blip?  Or is this the beginning of a two- to three-year slide?  —  With the Yankees going home Sunday, the question is where are they headed.  —  Co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner and manager Joe Girardi have talked aggressively …

Weather may upset baseball schedule  —  Much of the East Coast is expected to get heavy rain over the next few days, and that could complicate pivotal games involving the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, two teams that with the Milwaukee Brewers are in the National League playoff hunt.

Unconventional Wisdom: Breaking down the Mets bullpen … If the Mets miss the playoffs this year, they'll remember Aug. 2 as the day their season irrevocably turned.  In the ninth inning of a game against the Astros, interim manager Jerry Manuel summoned Billy Wagner to protect a 4-2 lead.

Pettitte pitched with bad shoulder, wants to return  —  TORONTO - Andy Pettitte said it makes him feel “sick” to know the Yankees will miss the playoffs.  He also stepped up to take blame for the team's failures, but Pettitte also admitted that he has been pitching with his left shoulder bothering …

J.T. Snow will retire as a Giant  —  (09-24) 22:12 PDT San Francisco — Imagine J.T. Snow's emotions when he takes first base Saturday night as a member of the Giants' starting lineup.  Those who want to see him play against the Dodgers, however, will be disappointed.

The worst general managers in sports history  —  We may have a contender for best fan reaction to a sports event, ever.  From ESPN.com's story on Matt Millen's firing:  —  “I've been a season-ticket holder for 28 years and because they fired Matt Millen, I'm going to renew,” said Detroit Lions fan Eddie Gates.

Ten thoughts about the free-agent market  —  For eight teams and more than 200 players, the season will go on past Sunday.  For 22 teams and some 600 players, the season ends on Sunday, which is why there is already lots of underground talk about the offseason to come.

Chances of a Tie  —  Looking at the Postseason Odds Report this morning...  Tampa leads Boston by three games with four to play.  There is a 4.03% chance that the two teams finish in a tie.  If they do, Tampa will be the division winner and Boston will be the wild card, thanks to the Rays' 10-8 victory in their season series.

Baker denies rumors about kid  —  HOUSTON - Reds manager Dusty Baker took the unusual step of bringing up a rumor Wednesday to deny it.  —  There's been a persistent rumor floating around the Reds that Baker's 28-year-old daughter, Natosha, is dating and/or engaged to outfielder Corey Patterson.

Salt In The Wound  —  I had an interesting perspective for the end of the Mets-Cubs game tonight and thought Mets fans might find it interesting.  —  I watched the end of the game in the Braves' clubhouse in Philadelphia.  —  I'm here covering the Phillies side of the NL East chase but went …