Homers help Hamels, Phils win Game 1  —  Ibanez, Ruiz go deep; lefty stumbles after early success  —  LOS ANGELES — Raul Ibanez came up huge Thursday in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.  —  The Phillies had been clinging …

Wakefield's surgery set  —  Tim Wakefield is set to undergo surgery on a herniated disc in his back Wednesday, with the possibility of the operation being moved up slightly.  —  Wakefield has said that doctors told him that the procedure would not hinder his preparation for next season.

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.

Abreu rejects Angels' $16 million offer … The Angels offered outfielder Bobby Abreu a two-year contract extension for about $16 million, SI.com has learned.  However, Abreu did not accept the offer and is believed to be looking for more after helping to lead the Angels to the ALCS against the Yankees.

ALCS Smackdown: Angels vs. Yankees  —  The Los Angeles Angels, champions of the AL West, and the New York Yankees, champions of the AL East, are about ready to step into the ring to battle for the American League Championship, or what some refer to as the heavyweight championship of Major League Baseball.

Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  The Marlins finished with the third-best record in franchise history, but the front office deemed the season a “disappointment” for not making the playoffs.  That means sweeping changes could be in store.  —  One of those changes will not be manager Fredi Gonzalez, however.

Marlins announce Minor League award winners  —  Cristhian Martinez named Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Mike Stanton named Minor League Player of the Year  —  The Florida Marlins today named right-handed pitcher Cristhian Martinez their Minor League Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Michael Stanton …

Harper: Inside story on A-Rod  —  In 2005 Alex Rodriguez went into October riding high, coming off a season that would soon earn him the American League MVP award, ready to feast on the Angels and their ace, Bartolo Colon, off whom he had hit four home runs that season.

Ronan Tynan's tongue causes trouble as Yankees sack Irish tenor's appearance  —  Irish tenor Ronan Tynan sings a first-rate “God Bless America,” at Yankee Stadium, but his attempt at telling a joke offended a Jewish doctor who found it to be anti-Semitic.  —  Tynan apologized, telling WNBC …

Byrnes has meeting on future with D-backs  —  Popular but oft-injured outfielder entering final year of contract  —  PHOENIX — D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes and manager A.J. Hinch had breakfast with Eric Byrnes on Wednesday.  —  On the menu was the outfielder's future in Arizona.

Strasburg ready for Arizona Fall League debut  —  PHOENIX — Wearing a gray Washington Nationals No. 37 jersey and blue jeans, Stephen Strasburg looked forward to his debut today in the Arizona Fall League for the Phoenix Desert Dogs.  —  Strasburg said Thursday he is not planning to change …

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

PostCards: Is it time to trade Albert Pujols?  —  TOWER GROVE — The first edition of this offseason's PostCards mailbag begins with a favorite parlor game of the press box: Take the best player on the team.  Put him on the trading block.  Wonder just what it would take in return to make a deal happen.