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.

Mets seek relief for 'pen from Parnell  —  New York (57-67) vs. Philadelphia (71-50), 1:10 p.m. ET  —  NEW YORK — Oliver Perez lost one game for the Mets on Sunday.  The Mets hope Perez's inability to get out of the first inning doesn't also cost them the series finale with the Phillies on Monday afternoon at Citi Field.

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 …

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.

GIRARDI SAYS HE WON'T SPLIT UP A.J. AND POSADA  —  BOSTON — Despite communication problems between A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada during the three most recent games they worked, Joe Girardi doesn't plan to split them on purpose.  —  “The way that I have caught Jorge and [Jose] …

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.

NY Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur held out of lineup with bruised thumb … NEW YORK — Jeff Francoeur's diving catch in the ninth inning Sunday saved potential runs and cost him an appearance in Monday's game.  —  Francoeur bruised his left thumb and will be held out of the lineup for the final game of this series with Philadelphia.

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

Santana to Miss Start  —  According to Jerry Manuel, Johan Santana will miss his start tomorrow and has an appointment to see Dr. David Altchek for his pitching elbow.  —  Update, 4:50 pm, by Matthew Cerrone:  —  ...from what i can gather, johan has been pitching with a sore back since the all star break …

Positive Matsuzaka report from Florida  —  Terry Francona received good news today from Fort Myers, where Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched three innings in a Gulf Coast League game against Tampa Bay minor leaguers.  Matsuzaka threw 37 pitches, recording four strikeouts and allowing one hit in a 2-0 Red Sox win.