Astros hire Mills  —  Brad Mills, who spent the last six years working under former college roommate and teammate Terry Francona as the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox, will be named Tuesday to be named as the new manager of the Astros.  —  How does the hiring of Mills play with Astros fans?

Pedro gets Game 2 start for Phillies  —  Old foe will make seventh postseason appearance vs. Yanks  —  NEW YORK — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel dropped a few big hints the past few days that Pedro Martinez would pitch Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.  —  He made it official Tuesday morning.

Yanks' aim: Win one for George  —  The Boss has lost something off a Hall of Fame fastball, but that doesn't mean the need to win has been sucked from his marrow.  —  “It's the old George, the focus is on nothing but winning,” a friend of Steinbrenner's told The Post yesterday.

One of the Whiz Kids, Curt Simmons, recalls the last Phils-Yankees World Series - in 1950  —  Imagine if Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee couldn't pitch for Philadelphia in the World Series this week because they were summoned for military service.  —  That's what happened to Curt Simmons nearly 60 years ago …

Gaudin getting stretched out, start possible  —  Pitching coach Dave Eiland said the Yankees haven't ruled out the idea of sticking with a three-man rotation in the World Series, a plan that would force all three starters to pitch on short rest.  That said, Chad Gaudin is scheduled to throw …

Their fans are second rate & so is their city  —  Gotham trembles; the Frillies are coming to town  —  Yankee fans have a message for the Phillies and their hometown: This ain't Rocky, and the underdog won't win!  —  “The Yankees are going to make Philly cream cheese out of them,” …

Tom Verducci: How do you beat the Yankees?  Smoltz has a radical idea … 1. As the postseason began, Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz gave me a stunning piece of advice about how to stop the Yankees this October.  Remember, it was the powerful New York lineup that knocked Smoltz clear …

Figuring Yankee rotation  —  With the world still awaiting the puffs of smoke that will signal Joe Girardi's intentions regarding his starting pitchers in the World Series, Dan Rosenheck offers his well-reasoned (as usual) advice:  —  The critical question for Girardi is how to make the most use …

Off The Field With Chipper Jones  —  The Braves third baseman talks about staying sharp, mentally and physically, during the offseason—and gives his prediction on the World Series.  —  Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is a bit of a throwback baseball player.

Fed who led 'roid probe questions Big Mac's return  —  The FBI agent who led a landmark steroid investigation said investigators obtained information that former home run king Mark McGwire - who is ending a self-imposed exile to return to the St. Louis Cardinals as the team's hitting coach …

Ex-major leaguer in Taiwan game-fixing probe  —  TAIPEI, Taiwan — Authorities are investigating whether Taiwanese baseball players accepted bribes to fix games, a prosecutor said Tuesday, the latest blow to the integrity of the sport on the baseball-loving island.

Redskins Fan Booted From MNF Game, Banned From FedEx For Anti-Snyder Sign  —  Today's guest writer is a man known simply as Fitz, a friend of the Brothers Mottram and all-around outstanding Redskins fan.  You may recognize him as our “Snyder Sucks” t-shirt model.  He has also made appearances in several D.C. Sports Bog posts.