Red Sox lose RSN ratings lead  —  Local numbers show Cardinals, Twins, Phillies, Reds in front  —  The Boston Red Sox's six-year reign atop MLB's local television ratings is about to end, as the team's local numbers have plummeted from first to fifth this season.

Daily Rumble: Welcome to the Roy Oswalt Show  —  Cliff Lee is gone.  Dan Haren is off the board.  So strike up the band, because this is now The Roy Oswalt Show.  —  There's only one “premium” arm left on the starting-pitching market, and it's attached to the right shoulder of the 32-year-old Astros ace.

Dipoto looks at Saunders W-L record, says Arizona got a ‘winner’  —  A starting pitcher's won-loss record isn't what we crack it up to be.  —  If a pitcher hypothetically goes 16-7, he does so for the same reasons he might go 6-10.  —  He's at the mercy of how many runs his own team scores.

Haren trade shifts focus to Cubs' Lilly  —  The market for Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly just got a lot hotter with the trade Sunday of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels.  —  Cubs officials downplayed the idea of any deals being close, but Lilly is scheduled …

Fielder's future to be decided by Saturday  —  Brewers have three options regarding slugging first baseman  —  MILWAUKEE — By the end of the week, the Brewers will have declared themselves on first baseman Prince Fielder, the biggest bat available on this summer's trade market …

Baseball hall of fame changes is voting rules for veterans  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The baseball hall of fame has changed the way that managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players will be considered for election.  —  Candidates will be reviewed in three eras: Pre-Integration …

Texas Rangers asking about Chris Volstad, but Florida Marlins don't want to deal  —  Add pitcher Chris Volstad to the list of Marlins players generating interest from teams around the league in the final days before Saturday's non-waiver trading deadline.  —  The Texas Rangers asked about Volstad …

Joba Chamberlain tests Joe Girardi's patience in tense eighth inning, Phil Hughes' home woes persist  —  After Joe Girardi said last week that Joba Chamberlain needed to earn the role of eighth-inning man, the reliever tested his manager's patience Sunday.  Chamberlain began the inning …

Lidge escapes again, Phillies hold off Rockies 5-4  —  PHILADELPHIA—Brad Lidge escaped another bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies held off the Colorado Rockies 5-4 Monday to complete a four-game sweep.  —  Backup catcher Brian Schneider's two-run triple sent …

Working Hard or Working Fast?  —  “The wrong way, but faster.”  Max Power  —  I could point to a dozen articles discussing the varying shapes and sizes of the strike zone, but when my friend Don asked whether umpires really change their zone depending on the score, I drew a blank.

Tampa Bay Rays may use top pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson as a reliever down the stretch  —  Top prospect Jeremy Hellickson has dominated as a starter at Durham but may help the Rays down the stretch as a reliever.  —  Times]  —  CLEVELAND — RHP prospect Jeremy Hellickson's future is as a starter …

The Greatest Trade Rumor In Baseball History  —  A rundown of the relevant parties:  — Oliver Perez, owed $24/2: Arguably the worst pitcher in baseball, Perez has Steve Blass Disease, minus the connotation of once having good control.  Perez allows more homeruns and walks at a per-nine-inning pace …