Extra-large expectations: CC Sabathia tries to end playoff failures in Yankees opener

NEW YORK — CC Sabathia was fantastic in his first regular season with the New York Yankees. Now, it’s time for him to earn that $161 million contract.

Fredi Gonzalez will remain as Florida Marlins’ manager

MIAMI — The manager with the most wins in Florida Marlins history will be given a chance to increase his total.

Yankees pick to start AL playoffs Wednesday, will host Tigers-Twins winner

Yankees choose to start AL playoffs Wednesday

Megawatt stars dominate these playoffs, but who will be the X-factors?

NEW YORK — Be it Carlos Ruiz or David Price, every postseason seems to produce an unlikely star.

Cliff Lee to start Game 1 for defending World Series champion Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Lee watched the Cleveland Indians play the 2007 AL division series from the bench, unable to contribute because he was left off the roster after a poor season.

Person familiar with discussions tells AP that Fredi Gonzalez will stay as Marlins’ manager

MIAMI — Fredi Gonzalez will stay as manager of the Florida Marlins.

Sullenberger among 18 finalists in American Mustache Institute’s top mustache contest

ST. LOUIS — Two baseball players and hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger are among 18 finalists for the American Mustache Institute’s top honors.

Here we go again: Twins to face Tigers in Minnesota’s 2nd straight one-game playoff

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins seem to think that 162 regular-season games aren’t enough. The Twins will host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in a tiebreaker for the American League Central title and a trip the playoffs. It is the second straight season that the Twins have needed a 163rd game to finish the season, a first in league history.

Former major leaguer Chacon arrested in Colo. after Nev. authorities issue warrant

GREELEY, Colo. — Authorities say they have arrested former major league pitcher Shawn Chacon at a Colorado bowling alley on charges related to unpaid gambling markers in Nevada.

With Tigers, Twins in playoff, baseball just won’t go away in dome that wasn’t meant for it

It’s a tough place to get nostalgic about, even as they get ready to take the baggies down for good. About the only things Minnesotans really liked about the Metrodome was that it was warm and the mosquitoes couldn’t get inside.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy, GM Brian Sabean plan for 2010, fully expect to be a part of it

SAN FRANCISCO — Now this could have been considered just a tad bit awkward: Giants general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy publicly discussing the 2009 season and looking ahead to next year before they even have new contracts.

Cards slugger Albert Pujols, NL home run champ with 47, hasn’t hit long ball since Sept. 9

ST. LOUIS — With nearly a month to go in the regular season, Albert Pujols had enough home runs to win his first title. Just enough, as it turned out.

Arizona Diamondbacks will replace coaches Chip Hale and Lorenzo Bundy

PHOENIX — Arizona manager A.J. Hinch says third base coach Chip Hale and first base coach Lorenzo Bundy will not return.

All in: Big names dominate these playoffs, Cardinals and Angels primed for big runs

Start with big boppers Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and Ryan Howard. Throw in aces Josh Beckett and John Lackey. Spice it up with wild card Troy Tulowitzki.

Out most of season, Troy Glaus makes Cardinals’ postseason roster

ST. LOUIS — Troy Glaus will be on the St. Louis Cardinals’ roster for their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers despite missing most of the season while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

Davis, DeMuth, Tschida and West picked as umpire crew chiefs for 1st round of playoffs

NEW YORK — Gerry Davis, Dana DeMuth, Tim Tschida and Joe West have been selected as the umpire crew chiefs for the first round of the playoffs.

Dodgers give Joe Torre record-tying 14th consecutive postseason berth

LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre wears his Dodgers cap high on his head, revealing a vast expanse of forehead with fewer worry lines than expected for a manager who spent 12 years working for George Steinbrenner.

Rockies enter playoffs with head of steam but question marks in rotation, bullpen

DENVER — Just like they did in 2007, the Colorado Rockies open the playoffs in Philadelphia as the hottest team in the National League.

87 wins may not be enough for Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez to keep his job

MIAMI — By most measurements, the Florida Marlins overachieved in 2009.

Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter and Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill voted comeback players of the year

NEW YORK — Chris Carpenter has been voted NL comeback player of the year and Aaron Hill has won the AL award.

Mets fire first base coach, reassign three others in coaching shakeup after dismal season

NEW YORK — After a miserable season full of baserunning blunders and fielding miscues, the New York Mets made several changes to their coaching staff Monday.

Report: Police responded to ‘family trouble’ call at home of Tigers 1B Cabrera on Saturday

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — Records show police responded to a “family trouble” call at the home of Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Phillies avoid sweep with 7-6 win over Marlins, get ready to defend World Series title

PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley got to rest. Up ahead, they get to defend.

Fit to be tied: Twins beat Royals 13-4, will play Tigers in AL Central playoff on Tuesday

Twins win to set up 1-game playoff against Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins held a season-long countdown celebrating their final season in the Metrodome, commemorated each game by pulling down a number hanging in the left field stands.

Dome-Sweet-Dome no more: Twins to ditch Metrodome after this season _ but not just yet

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins’ much anticipated farewell to the Metrodome turned into a “see you later” Sunday when the team extended its final season in the franchise’s quirky home for at least one more game.

Padilla strikes out 10 as Dodgers beat Rockies 5-3 in regular-season finale

LOS ANGELES — Vicente Padilla struck out 10 in five innings, and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers finished the regular season with a 5-3 victory over the wild-card Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Hanley Ramirez wins batting title; no 20-game winners for only 2nd time in full season

NEW YORK — Minnesota’s Joe Mauer all but locked up his third American League batting title in four seasons, and Hanley Ramirez became the first Florida Marlins player to win a National League batting crown.

Big Unit makes possible final appearance as Giants beat Padres 4-3 in 10 innings

SAN DIEGO — Randy Johnson made what could be the last appearance of his brilliant, 22-year big league career, pitching one adventuresome inning of relief in the San Francisco Giants’ 4-3, 10-inning win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Saunders goes 5 innings, Napoli hits home run in Angels’ 5-3 win over Athletics.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Mike Napoli homered, Joe Saunders pitched five strong innings and the Los Angeles Angels closed out an impressive regular season with a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Hernandez wins 19th, Griffey takes curtain call in possible finale, Mariners beat Texas 4-3

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez finished tied for the major league lead with 19 wins and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 Sunday in a season finale that doubled as a daylong tribute to Ken Griffey Jr.

Cubs relieve Von Joshua of hitting coach duties, offer him a chance to return to Triple-A

CHICAGO — The disappointed Chicago Cubs wasted little time making a change, dropping hitting coach Von Joshua after Sunday’s season finale while offering him a similar spot at Triple-A.

Twins, Tigers head to 1-game playoff for AL Central title; other matchups set

The chase for the AL Central championship once again is going to extra innings.

Fielder homers twice, Brewers win 9-7 in 10 innings to sweep scuffling Cardinals

ST. LOUIS — Prince Fielder homered twice and Jody Gerut’s two-out infield hit drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers sent the St. Louis Cardinals scuffling to the postseason with a 9-7 victory on Sunday.

Nationals end season with seven-game winning streak, beating Braves 2-1 in 15 innings

ATLANTA — Alberto Gonzalez drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the 15th inning and the Washington Nationals closed the season with a seven-game winning streak, beating the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Sunday.

Fit to be tied: Twins beat Royals 13-4, will play Detroit for AL Central title on Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS — More than 51,000 fans and dozens of players from Metrodome lore turned out on Sunday to say goodbye to this big, dingy building after 28 weird, wacky and sometimes wonderful baseball seasons.