Against All Odds, Nats Rally for a Win  —  Fangraphs.com is a Web site that specializes in seamhead mathematical analysis; it is the left hemisphere of a baseball nerd's brain.  During games, as innings roll, the site tabulates something called Win Expectancy, which is fairly self-explanatory.

Confidential, With an Asterisk  —  I can understand why there are so many calls for the heads of the 104 players on the so-called “list” that marks them as guilty for testing positive in the 2003 survey drug test.  It seems that publishing this list once and for all would make us all feel better.

Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  The Marlins are hoping their two most recent wins showcased the way they'll play into October.  They got the wins with big hits by players not named Hanley Ramirez.  —  On Friday it was clutch hits by catcher John Baker and pinch-hitter Wes Helms.

Halladay still a Jay, but for how long?  —  Toronto hopes it can hold onto ace beyond 2010 season  —  TORONTO — Roy Halladay is still the ace of the Blue Jays.  After a July filled with a mountain of rumors and endless speculation about the pitcher's future, Toronto decided against parting …

Cubs closer Kevin Gregg admits he has tired arm  —  Piniella says he'll try to give closer a few days of rest  —  CINCINNATI — If Cubs manager Lou Piniella knew Sunday what he knew on Monday, he probably wouldn't have used Kevin Gregg in the ninth inning of the finale of the Marlins series.

Cubs win, lead Cards by percentage point in NL Central  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — If not for a rookie pitcher, the Chicago Cubs wouldn't be where they are today: First place by a percentage point.  —  Rookie right-hander Randy Wells (FSY) took a shutout into the eighth inning Monday night …

Thomas, Tigers beat O's with ninth-inning homer  —  DETROIT (AP) — For 15 minutes Monday, the Baltimore Orioles made Justin Verlander (FSY) look like one of baseball's worst pitchers.  —  It didn't last.  —  The Detroit ace allowed five runs before getting his second out …

Sheffield showing he's still got game … Gary Sheffield just wanted a chance to prove himself correct.  The 40-year-old, nine-time All-Star came to the Mets after being released by the Tigers in April with a chip on his now-healthy shoulder.  —  “It's something I have always said …

Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds pitcher, has Tommy John surgery  —  CINCINNATI — Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez is expected to miss the rest of this season and the first half of next year, too, after having reconstructive elbow surgery Monday, another major setback for fading Cincinnati.

Brewers hold off Dodgers rally for 6-5 win  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bases loaded.  Two outs in the ninth.  Baseball's career saves leader protecting a one-run lead against one of the best hitters of their generation.  —  The eager Dodger Stadium crowd all but expected Manny Ramirez to add to his Los Angeles lore.

I Went to Washington and All I Got Was This Lousy Shortstop  —  Despite weeks of rumor-filled newspaper reports and speculation-fueled blog entries about all sorts of potential deals, as usual the trade deadline came and went Friday afternoon without the Twins making a significant move.

A's score three in ninth to stun Rangers  —  OAKLAND (AP) — Rajai Davis has been the Oakland Athletics' top hitter since the All-Star break.  —  He came through for Oakland again with a pinch-hit two-run triple in the ninth inning to rally the A's past the Rangers 3-2 on Monday night.

Sources: Mariners nixed three-way Felix Hernandez trade sending Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Seattle  —  Lots of stuff has been leaking out in recent days about discussions between the Mariners and Boston Red Sox about a potential Felix Hernandez trade.