Rangers slug their way to the World Series  —  ARLINGTON (AP) — Nelson Cruz and the Texas Rangers are headed to their second straight World Series, finishing off the Detroit Tigers to become the American League's first repeat champion in a decade.  —  Cruz set a postseason record …

Lackey conundrum lacks a clear solution  —  What do you do with John Lackey?  —  Hope he performs better?  —  Hope his troublesome elbow, which is being examined again this week, doesn't blow out?  —  Hope you can get the Angels to take him back and get Vernon Wells in return to stick in right field?

Nelson: Marcum trying to save Brewers  —  Time for righty to put bad six weeks and postseason behind him in elimination game  —  MILWAUKEE — He will take the mound on Sunday in the most pressurized game of his career, during a time when some of the biggest questions about him as a pitcher exist.

Yankees will look for in-house offseason fixes  —  This is the time of year in which we have the Yankees involved in every major scenario involving the acquisition of big-time players.  This is what happens when your history is to chase stars and swell payroll.

Popper: Tough to put a price tag on Jose Reyes  —  The clock is ticking, with the World Series starting this week.  The Mets' exclusive window to negotiate with Jose Reyes ends five days after the Series is over.  —  Reyes wanted to negotiate before the 2011 season began, but the Mets insisted on seeing him perform.

Backman tells WFAN he's staying with Mets  —  Yesterday on WFAN, Wally Backman told host Ed Randall he will be returning to the Mets in 2012, though he has yet to talk with the organization about where he will be working.  —  “You know, there was a long thought process …

Inside the Phillies: Is window of opportunity closing on aging Phillies?  —  Windows are as much a part of baseball as hot dogs, peanuts, and cracker jacks.  —  Whenever there is rain in the forecast, the owners are always looking for that window in the sky that will allow them to play ball and avoid postponement.

Randolph talks about leaving Orioles  —  Orioles third base/infielders coach Willie Randolph acknowledged he was “a little disappointed” when he learned Thursday night in a telephone conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter that he would not be back with the club next season, “but I am always going to move forward.”