Jerry Manuel Has No Clue  —  We spent some time this offseason discussing optimal lineup construction, ultimately realizing that the difference between the best and worst lineups is only a few runs per season.  I don't expect a major league manager like Jerry Manuel to construct a lineup based on …

Fenway flop!  Sox sweep Yanks  —  BOSTON - Derek Jeter always says that all losses feel the same.  One has to wonder if he still feels that way after Thursday night's game at Fenway Park.  —  Six outs away from finally ending their season-long dry spell against the Red Sox …

Source: Chien-Ming Wang to remain in New York Yankees rotation  —  Despite having a 21.61 ERA as a starter, Yankees right-hander Chien-Ming Wang is expected to remain in the rotation, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  Wang has the highest starter's ERA through five starts since 1913 …

Cubs, Rays eye Pedro  —  A source close to Pedro Martinez indicated tonight that both the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays have watched Martinez throw in the Dominican and both teams have begun to at least explore how much money it would take to lure Martinez back to the mound.

A new client for Scott Boras?  How about McCourt's son  —  Gavin McCourt, the son of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, was drafted in the 39th round Thursday by the Boston Red Sox.  Will Scott Boras do the negotiating?  —  McCourt was an all-league outfielder at North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake …

Orlando Hernandez agrees with Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — El Duque will try to make a comeback with the Texas Rangers.  —  Orlando Hernandez, who has been part of four World Series championship teams, agreed to a minor league contract Thursday with the Rangers.

Phillies Minor League Player Ozuna Suspended  —  The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Philadelphia Phillies Minor League infielder Pablo Ozuna has received a 50-game suspension after showing an elevated Testosterone/Epitestosterone ratio, a performance-enhancing substance violation …

Angels draft boxing legend Ali's son  —  Catcher led high school team to division title in Michigan  —  His world-famous father lived for the late rounds, winning his fights with his famous rope-a-dope strategy.  A late round — the 40th, to be precise — was where Asaad Ali …

John Maine on the DL  —  The Mets have put Mets RHP John Maine on the 15-day disabled list due to fatigue and weakness in his right shoulder.  —  Following the game, Omar Minaya told reporters that Maine had an MRI earlier in the week, which showed no structural damage.

Two Tough Mets, but Then What?  —  Late Wednesday evening, Gary Matthews Sr. sat in one of the spacious lounges at Citi Field talking about the Phillies and their rivalry with the Mets.  —  The Mets have beaten Philadelphia four times in seven games this season after Thursday night's 6-3 loss …

St. Louis Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa defends Hal McRae  —  MIAMI — The Cardinals enjoyed the National League's most productive offense in April.  They have endured its least productive one since.  To manager Tony La Russa, the same players celebrated for the earlier breakout …