Dream World Series matchups, latest on Billy Wagner and notes … It's time now to start dreaming about the best possible World Series matchups.  Here are my favorites for this year.  —  The best matchups:  —  1. Yankees vs. Dodgers: Joe Torre vs. his old team.

New York Mets left-hander Santana scratched; righ fielder Jeff Francoeur has torn ligament  —  NEW YORK — Johan Santana was scratched from his next scheduled start because of discomfort in his pitching elbow, the latest injury to a star player on the depleted New York Mets.  —  Santana

Billy Wagner to Boston Red Sox: Nix option to seal deal … NEW YORK — Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of the team.  —  That's why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade …

Johan scratched, to see doctor Tuesday  —  Ace has elbow pain; Francoeur tears thumb ligament  —  NEW YORK — Mets players said Monday they expect Johan Santana will require surgery on his left elbow to repair whatever malady has prompted the club to scratch the pitcher from his scheduled start against the Marlins in Miami on Tuesday.

Matsuzaka pitches for Red Sox GCL team  —  FORT MYERS - Daisuke Matsuzaka faced live batters today for the first time in over two months, starting for the Red Sox rookie team in a Gulf Coast League game.  Matsuzaka and the GCL Sox played the GCL Rays in sweltering heat at the Red Sox Player Development Complex in Fort Myers.

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi squashes notion of A.J. Burnett-Jorge Posada issue  —  Yankees manager Joe Girardi sees no reason to split up batterymates A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada despite some obvious miscommunication between the duo during a 14-1 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday.  —  Posada

Harper: CC shows he's a big winner  —  BOSTON - Strictly by the numbers, CC Sabathia's start didn't meet the standards for an ace vs. ace matchup.  But then again, he did meet the only standard that really matters, outpitching the other ace, Josh Beckett, and beating the Red Sox Sunday night.

Krieger: At last, Rox can play an ace  —  For 17 years, the Rockies have been searching for the rarest, most valuable commodity in baseball.  They once spent $121 million trying to buy one on the open market, a disaster that set them back years.  —  Call off the search party.

Mariners Get Defensive  —  The Seattle Mariners are in the midst of a fine rebound season from their 101 loss 2008 season.  The organization has changed the culture in so many ways.  First year General Manager Jack Zduriencik had quite a challenge in rebuilding the once proud franchise.

Manny Ramirez hears the boos in Dodgers' 3-1 loss to Cubs  —  He makes two shaky plays in the outfield and is 0 for 4, dropping his average to .200 over the last seven games.  Dodgers' lead over Colorado in the National League West shrinks to 31/2 games.  —  On The Dodgers

Colorado Rockies sign former A's, Yankees 1B Jason Giambi to minor league contract  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have signed former AL MVP Jason Giambi to a minor league contract.  —  The 38-year-old Giambi will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping for a September call-up to help the Rockies with their pennant push.

Bruntlett sending jersey to Hall of Fame  —  Phils infielder turned 15th unassisted triple play Sunday  —  NEW YORK — The incredible rarity of what happened to Eric Bruntlett on Sunday still hasn't completely sunk in.  —  He turned an unassisted triple play in a 9-7 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.

Cards think Smoltz was tipping pitches  —  Coaching staff says hitters knew what was coming in Boston  —  SAN DIEGO — The competition level was different.  A mechanical tweak didn't hurt.  But maybe one other thing went into John Smoltz's eye-catching game against the Padres on Sunday.