Rays' win ‘just awesome’  —  AL East champs, playing in first postseason, rally again to take 2-0 series lead over White Sox  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The young, resilient Tampa Bay Rays are one win from breezing into the American League Championship Series.

Reverse Psychology  —  This is the Cubs' big chance.  This is their Red Sox moment.  —  The Cubs now face the same galling indignity, and the same disguised opportunity, that Boston grabbed so spectacularly four years ago when it trailed the Yanks three games to none but came back to reverse the curse.

Mets give Manuel key to the Citi  —  The self-professed “gangsta” will occupy the home dugout at Citi Field next season.  —  Jerry Manuel agreed on Friday to a two-year contract with a team option for 2011 to serve as Mets manager after a week of tougher-than-expected negotiations with team officials, the Daily News has learned.

Cardinals facing a pivotal offseason  —  With big contracts coming off the books, St. Louis has room to be active  —  Last winter, the Cardinals spent most of the offseason getting younger and more flexible.  Most of John Mozeliak's task in his first offseason as general manager consisted …

Why they'll win...  The Sox can, and I think will, win the World Series this year for a number of reasons:  —  UPDATE AFTER GAME 2!  Two really important pieces, that I think can mean quite a bit, or nothing at all, to different people.  They are coming home, where they are about as good as anyone …

Padres' Greene grievance won't be heard before spring training  —  A grievance the Padres are pursuing against shortstop Khalil Greene likely will not be heard before spring training, said Mike Weiner of the major league players association.  —  The union is representing Greene in response …

Howie Kendrick  —  I love Howie Kendrick.  I think he's a future batting champion.  But he needs to be on the bench on Sunday.  He needs to be far away from the batters box unless they're desperate for a pinch hitter.  He's 0-9 in the series with five strike outs, and he's left 11 men on base.

Old man Jamie Moyer looks to finish Philly sweep  —  MILWAUKEE - After Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel reminisced Friday about Gil Hodges' World Series exploits in the 1950s, Jamie Moyer couldn't help himself.  —  “I think I faced Gil Hodges in that series,” Moyer joked.

Rivera's surgery slated for Tuesday  —  Veteran closer looks to begin Spring Training on time  —  NEW YORK — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his sore right shoulder on Tuesday, the team has announced.  The procedure will be performed by Dr. David Altchek …

Bill Murray offers advice to the Cubs  —  Bill Murray has not lost hope.  —  In fact, the life-long Cubs fan has some advice for the ailing boys in blue.  —  “They're not out of it yet, it's baseball,” said Murray, during a Friday interview with the Tribune to promote his new movie “City of Ember.”

Hurdle not alone regarding security  —  While a faction of the media has attempted to create a buzz about the future of Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, there never was a desire within the organization to make a managerial change.  —  And the fact he will be in the final year of his contract …

The Bronx Is Turning  —  With seven possible free agents freeing up $75 million, what should the Yankees' game plan be for 2009?  —  Whether the New York Yankees resign Mike Mussina depends almost entirely on his wife, Jana.  —  The rejuvenated free agent—who, at 39 …

Brewers Owner Attanasio Wants More Revenue Sharing From Yankees  —  Oct. 3 (Bloomberg) — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, seeking a “fair fight,” said high-revenue clubs like the New York Yankees should share more with the other teams.  —  “It's always amusing to me to hear the Yankees …