Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday, a day after the right-hander tossed an unusual no-hitter in the regular-season finale against the Tigers.

Desmond Jennings was not going to let the lingering tightness in his left hamstring keep him out for another one of these do-or-die games. On Monday, for the American League tiebreaker showdown at Rangers Ballpark, the 26-year-old outfielder was in the lineup for the first time in eight days, leading off and playing center field.

Jim Leyland has the looks of a grumpy old-school baseball man, but the Tigers’ run of success has led to the manager showing a passionate and emotional side that endears him to his players.

Commissioner Bud Selig began the transition process in preparation for his January 2015 retirement by appointing Rob Manfred chief operating officer of Major League Baseball on Monday.

Amid promises of a brighter future, the Mets on Monday announced a two-year contract extension for manager Terry Collins with a team option for 2016.

The Pirates’ improvement under Clint Hurdle was immediate, and has continued ever since. The Bucs went from 57 wins in 2010 to 72 the following year, then to 79 and now to 94 and a Wild Card berth.

The Pirates just completed a three-game sweep of the Reds in Cincinnati, but none of that matters with the two National League Central rivals meeting up Tuesday night in the winner-take-all NL Wild Card Game at PNC Park.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

The Marlins have reorganized their front office. As part of the reshuffling, the club named Michael Hill, who has been with the club for 11 seasons, president of baseball operations. Dan Jennings, who has been the organization’s vice president of player development and assistant general manager, was promoted to general manager.

Once again, more than 2,400 games over the course of six months might not be enough to decide who gets to play the games every team really wants to play in October.

From the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” to Bucky Dent’s famous 1978 homer at Fenway Park to Matt Holiday’s game-winning slide, tiebreakers have given baseball some of its classic moments.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny has made a point to put his players ahead of himself, and they’ve responded.

Mariano Rivera was on the closing end for 72 of Andy Pettitte’s victories, a dynamic duo that established a Major League record for win-save combinations. This time, Rivera was thrilled to watch Pettitte finish off the ninth inning all by himself.

Right-hander Juan Nicasio closed his season with a sharp outing on the mound for the Rockies, who held off the Dodgers in a 1-0 victory Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Six Phillies pitchers combined to beat the Braves, 5-4, on Saturday at Turner Field, despite a ninth-inning scare with Jonathan Papelbon on the hill. Jimmy Rollins’ great play preserved the win.

First-base coach Terry Pendleton and third baseman Chris Johnson shared a heated exchange in the dugout following the 5-4 loss the Braves suffered against the Phillies on Saturday night at Turner Field.

Right-hander Dan Haren most likely pitched his last game as a member of the Nationals on Saturday night, and it was arguably his best of the season as the Nationals blanked the D-backs, 2-0, at Chase Field.