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 …

Phillies, Manuel roll dice with Pedro  —  LOS ANGELES - If it works out, if Pedro Martinez pitches well, it will only buff Charlie Manuel's reputation as a baseball savant to a high luster.  —  If it explodes, if it blows up in his face like a trick cigar and the Phillies are eventually eliminated …

Good seats still available  —  The Yankees are in the ALCS for the first time since — ahem — 2004.  But Yankee Stadium may not be sold out tonight for Game 1 against the Angels.  That's embarrassing for the business side of the organization.  —  Whether it's the economy or the outrageous ticket prices …

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.

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.

Pujols' comments surprise Cardinals  —  With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols grounded out to end the inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The Cardinals lost 4-3.  (Robert Cohen/P-D)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

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.

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.

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.

Saito Remains — For Now — on Red Sox Roster  —  Contrary to a report on Thursday afternoon, there has been no transaction to this point involving Red Sox reliever Takashi Saito, according to a major-league source.  Specifically, as of Thursday afternoon, he has not been assigned outright …