Minor League Update  —  Just confusing  —  Drew Stubbs, OF, Reds (Triple-A Louisville)  —  Monday's stats: 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB  —  So the Reds keep throwing Willy Taveras out in centerfield pretty much every day, despite the fact that he's pulling off the rare double treat …

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does God Think Using Steroids Is Wrong?  —  If I'm lucky, when I ask my undergraduate students why you shouldn't punch a stranger in the face, I hear “because it's wrong” rather than “because I'd get in trouble.”  In either case, though, that question is enthusiastically answered.

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 …

First in his class: Mark Teixeira is the majors' good-hands person  —  Range-wise, “He probably helps out Robbie (Cano), I would think,” Derek Jeter said of allowing Cano to occasionally cheat toward the middle.  —  A vital side benefit for infielders is the mental aspect of having a sure-handed first baseman.

Staying Alive: Who Has the Advantage After Fouling Off Multiple 3-2 Pitches  —  You've probably heard your local announcer say it at one time or another after a hitter has fouled off pitch after pitch on a 3-2 count: As the at-bat is extended the pitcher has to show more of his arsenal, and the advantage shifts to the hitter.

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 …

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 …