A side of intrigue  —  Oblique injury pushes Beckett back to Game 3  —  There was little Josh Beckett couldn't do in last year's postseason.  He won game after game after game, dominating in every start, on the way to a World Series title.  He was supposed to do it again.

A Strained Season Off the Field, Too  —  Kasten Frustrated by Ownership's Continued Lack of Spending  —  After the final home game of the Washington Nationals' season, team president Stan Kasten and principal owner Mark Lerner crossed paths in their new stadium's lowest level.

Despite collapse, Mets retain Manuel  —  NEW YORK — The Mets have decided to bring back Jerry Manuel as manager despite the disappointing end to their season, SI.com has learned.  —  Manuel is expected to be approached to hammer out a new contract in the next day or two.

Home runs drop to 15-year low … NEW YORK (AP) — Home runs in the major leagues dropped this year to their lowest level since 1993, and Angels center fielder Torii Hunter thinks he might know why.  —  “I think the steroid testing has something to do with it,” he said.

Division Series broadcast schedule announced  —  TBS to Televise All Division Series Games; ESPN Radio Will Provide National Coverage  —  The following is the national broadcast schedule for the potential tie-breaker game that will determine the American League Central title and the American League …

Marlins play spoiler again, knocking Mets from playoffs  —  NEW YORK — Shea good-bye to the playoffs.  —  Talk about a spoiler sequel, the Florida Marlins pulled off a double play Sunday.  They knocked the Mets out of the post-season for the second straight year and ruined the celebration for the last game at Shea Stadium.

Dodger Thoughts: The Dodger Thoughts 2008 Postseason Guide  —  So, here they are, the Los Angeles Dodgers.  C students of the postseason, baseball's nothingdictorians.  Barely a .500 team ... but they can dream.  —  No one should be favoring the Dodgers against the Cubs …

Blue Jays CEO Paul Godfrey steps down  —  Paul Godfrey stepped down as president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, ending an eight-year run in which his success on the team's business side was never matched by similarly strong improvements on the field.

Florida State League Top 20 Prospects  —  As usual, pitchers stand out in Florida  —  The high Class A Florida State League always seems to get a glimpse of the best pitching prospects in baseball.  In 2004, Chad Billingsley and Scott Kazmir stopped by, followed by Justin Verlander the following season.

For Dodgers, getting to the playoffs is only half the battle  —  I mentioned it to Lowe, but he was too sick to care.  —  “Been sick for three days,” he said, giving new meaning to pitching on three days' rest, and hoping for the best.  —  A FEW more tidbits from the sit-down with Ramirez:

FRESH JERSEY  —  Mike Kelly's journal about events and people in the Garden State.  —  Read “Fresh Jersey”  —  Yankees  —  Kelly: A brush with Yankee greatness  —  Yankee Stadium was not just a baseball field.  For a group of Teaneck sign painters, it was a canvas for dozens of signs …

Keg Party!  —  Sabathia finishes what he starts  —  It's over.  It's finally over.  —  After 25 years of stumbling through the baseball wilderness, the Milwaukee Brewers emerged on the other side Sunday into bright daylight.  Well, as bright as daylight can be when the roof is closed at Miller Park.