Martinez to start Game 2  —  Pedro Martinez will start for the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS.  —  “It's a good ballpark for him,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.  “He likes the moment.  I actually like him better in this game than I did in the fourth game.”  —  Martinez

CC is cool as October  —  NEW YORK — You search for even the faintest hint of anxiety or tension from the pitcher who's being asked to deliver the Yankees to the World Series.  Of course there is none, nothing even close as CC Sabathia is flipping through mail Wednesday afternoon …

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, wife Jamie separate  —  The team releases a statement, calling it a ‘personal matter.’  —  Jamie and Frank McCourt, who bought the Dodgers in 2004, confirmed their separation in a statement released by the Dodgers on Wednesday night.  (Los Angeles Times)

Guzman added, Burnett in Game 2 (and a live chat tonight!)  —  Still in the interview room where Joe Girardi just announced that Freddy Guzman has been added to the roster in place of Eric Hinske.  —  Also, A.J. Burnett is starting Game 2.  Andy Pettitte in Game 3.  Game 4 is TBA.

Albert Pujols in no hurry to talk extension with St. Louis Cardinals  —  The St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest in extending Albert Pujols' contract during the winter, but the slugger is not in a hurry.  —  “I'm not desperate to sign a contract extension.

Sox trying to re-work Saito deal  —  The Red Sox are currently involved in a procedural matter with reliever Takashi Saito's contract which would allow them to re-sign the right-hander but for less than the $6 million on his 2010 option, according to a major league source familiar with the deal.

Teufel leads ex-Met wave  —  As the body was unloaded from a U-Haul truck and wheeled across the Scottsdale, Arizona, parking lot, cryonicists with cameras swarmed from Alcor's back doors, laughing, joking, and snapping souvenir pictures.  —  The Stadium erupts and players go wild as they greet …

Garland, Weaver left off NLCS roster  —  Healthy Kuroda, Elbert included; Billingsley to pitch in 'pen  —  LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made several changes to their roster for the NL Championship Series that opens at 5:07 p.m. PT on TBS on Thursday, adding pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Scott Elbert …

Free agency looms for John Lackey (Cont.)  —  • Pitching guru Rick Peterson may have a couple options.  He has interviewed with the Brewers to become their pitching coach, and his close relationship with Willie Randolph from their days together with the Mets before they got fired together makes that a natural fit.

Cash-strapped Texas Rangers moving further from date with destiny  —  Give the Texas Rangers credit.  They possess the ability to make news during the playoffs even without participating in them.  —  On Wednesday we learned that the organization is getting rid of Rudy Jaramillo but hanging onto some of your money.

If Jays GM looking to make a splash, how about Bay?  —  Alex Anthopoulos is quickly putting his own stamp on the Blue Jays, reassembling the scouting and development staff, and good for him.  —  That's the best way to build for the long term.  Plus, it also enhances his own job security.

U.S. clubs chase Japanese schoolboy Kikuchi  —  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese schoolboy Yusei Kikuchi will hold ‘speed interviews’ with Major League Baseball clubs as the race to sign the explosive left-hander heats up.  —  The 18-year-old pitcher is poised to meet representatives …

The Fallacy Of El Comedulce  —  Good morning Fackers.  The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 allowed for far easier and faster transportation from the East Coast to the West Coast than had previously existed.  Yet, from what I've been hearing and reading over the past several months …