Wednesday's first pitch

Leading Off
Zack Greinke is really pushing for that Cy Young Award.
Earning his 15th win Tuesday night was huge.
Since 1980, Brandon Webb is the only starting pitcher who has earned the award without winning at least 17 games.
However, Greinke's other numbers continue to be otherworldly.
He gave up just two hits and a run during six shutout innings against the vaunted Boston offense.
He's lowered his ERA to 2.08. He also leads the league in WHIP and is second in strike outs.

Regional Roundup

• Paul Hagen argues that Joe Blanton has been the Phillies best pitcher. He must have needed something to write about. Brett Myers is optimistic about his return. Jimmy Watch: 1-for-8, walk, 3 whiffs, run scored, RBI,


• There's a new option at first base for the Orioles. The O's wasted York resident Mark Hendrickson's strong start.


• The Nationals still don't know what to do with the exquisitely-talented Ian Desmond. Washington is one loss away.


• If the Pirates could have the fifth inning back, maybe they'd have won. Then again, they probably would not have.

• The Tigers are inching closer to clinching.


• Mark Reynolds has the new Major League record for strikeouts in a single season. Again.


• The Twins are on life support. But that better than being a White Sox player right now.


• Well, San Francisco, it's over. Sad to say, but it is.


• Let's look at how big a bounce back Justin Verlander has had.

• Don't let this story be just a blip on the radar.

1957 -- Hank Aaron's 11th-inning homer gave the Milwaukee Braves a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and the NL pennant. It was the first time since 1950 that a New York team hadn't finished first.

1988 -- Jose Canseco became the first major leaguer to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in one season as the Oakland Athletics beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-8 in 14 innings. Canseco hit his 41st homer and stole two bases, giving him 40 for the season.

1992 -- Bip Roberts tied the NL record with his 10th consecutive hit, then grounded out against Pedro Astacio to end his streak in the Cincinnati Reds' game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1998 -- Houston's Craig Biggio became the second player this century to have 50 steals and 50 doubles in a season, joining Hall of Famer Tris Speaker. Biggio, with 51 doubles, singled for his second hit of the game and easily stole his 50th base with two outs in the sixth.

The Closer

The Yankees are back in the playoffs after their win over Anaheim. First, we have to admit we were wrong. We didn't think the Yankees, as they were constructed, could win. We thought they were too old in the field and too young on the mound. Plus, we thought the A-Rod distraction would implode the clubhouse. However, Mark Teixeira has been nothing short of fantastic and led this club to the playoffs. While he hasn't been his recent self, Alex Rodriguez has also been a surprise. Of course, now it's the playoffs and he has a lot to prove. Then again, so does Joe Girardi.