Epstein one of best deciphering numbers  —  His arrival will enhance Cubs' move toward analytics, sabermetrics  —  Theo Epstein smokes a cigar after the Red Sox beat the Rockies in the 2007 World Series.  (Rob Tringali/Sportschrome, Getty Images / October 28, 2007)

MLB Playoffs: Cardinals slug their way to World Series  —  An afterthought in early September, the St. Louis Cardinals are taking their wild ride all the way to the World Series.  —  David Freese hit a three-run homer in the first and manager Tony La Russa turned again to his brilliant bullpen …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Wang hopes for new deal with Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals and representatives for right-hander Chien-Ming Wang continue to talk about a contract extension, but they are not close to a deal, according to a baseball source.  —  The source said that both sides want to continue to work together.

A's have the right location, wrong stadium  —  What if the A's moved into a new ballpark and kept the same address?  —  It ought to be considered.  —  Talk has escalated of the Raiders and 49ers sharing the proposed Santa Clara stadium, which wouldn't have happened on Al Davis' watch for obvious reasons.