Theo Epstein deal a go, but it might miss ‘deadline’  —  At this rate, Theo Epstein may need another gorilla suit.  —  Cubs sources with knowledge of the talks between the Cubs and Boston Red Sox don't expect their haggling over player compensation to keep Epstein from becoming the Cubs' next general manager.

An important start  —  Until last week, there was only well-deserved praise for Jon Lester.  The quiet lefthander beat cancer and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, starting down a career path that includes a no-hitter and two All-Star selections.

Game 1 falls on Carpenter's turn to start … Dave Duncan retired the trophy for Understatement of the Year on Monday when he described the Cardinals' blueprint for success in the NL championship series as “a little unorthodox.”  —  Next thing you know, the Cardinals pitching coach may suggest Nyjer Morgan is a bit talkative.

Bradley on the World Series: Texas Rangers' Michael Young shows Derek Jeter-like qualities  —  The comparison was first introduced by Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long.  In an examination of Derek Jeter's unorthodox, inside-out swing, Long was asked if any other hitters reminded him of Jeter.

Another one bites the dust  —  I'll be honest with you.  —  Had I known from the beginning that the idea of designing a model to estimate the difficulty of blocking every major league pitch is not a new one—let alone a groundbreaking one—I might have spent significant portions of my free …

Ozzie Guillen fires on White Sox  —  Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen waves to fans following the Sox 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday September 26, 2011 at U.S. Cellular Field.  It was Guillen's final game as manager of the White Sox.  Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Rosenthal On CBA Talks  —  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has the latest on the talks between the players' union and owners as they aim to strike a new collective bargaining agreement...  - It's a coin flip that an agreement will occur during the World Series, a source with knowledge of the discussions tells Rosenthal.

McCourts reach divorce deal  —  LOS ANGELES (AP)  —  Frank and Jamie McCourt have reached a settlement in a costly and nasty feud over control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, paving the way for a showdown in bankruptcy court between the embattled team owner and Major League Baseball.

Brewers owner Attanasio appears right at home in Milwaukee … Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, a Bronx-raised Brentwood, Calif. resident, is thriving in Milwaukee, the NLCS defeat notwithstanding.  And while some folks around baseball envision him as a potential savior of the Los Angeles Dodgers …