The Phillies' dream starting rotation has lived up to the hype this season, but they won't be satisfied with anything short of a World Series championship.

After a stellar regular season, Justin Verlander is gearing up for his first trip to the playoffs since he was a rookie in 2006.

With another day of games in the books, a few teams got that much closer to some coveted playoff berths. Separating themselves even further from the Rays after a 5-0 win Tuesday, the Yankees can clinch a playoff spot by beating Tampa Bay in either half of their split doubleheader Wednesday.

The Giants received a two-part reminder Tuesday night that perfection is difficult to attain as they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1.

With the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Giants on Tuesday night, Clayton Kershaw became the team's first 20-game winner in 21 years, remaining on track to become their next Cy Young Award winner.

The Rangers' magic number is four after a 7-2 win over the A's on Tuesday, and they're getting closer to turning next week's three-game series with the Angels into a meaningless affair.

The Cardinals broke out with a six-run rally in the seventh on Tuesday, overcoming two deficits to stomp the Mets, 11-6, and remain 2 1/2 games behind the Braves in the NL Wild Card race.

Jonathan Papelbon suffered his second blown save in the Red Sox's 7-5 loss to the Orioles loss on Tuesday, but Boston was able to maintain its two-game lead in the American League Wild Card race.

Vernon Wells had a big night on Tuesday against his old team, helping power the Angels to a 10-6 win over the Blue Jays in front of 13,514 at Rogers Centre.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was ejected by third-base umpire Chris Guccione for arguing a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Red Sox.

Eric Hosmer mashed five hits, including a homer, and the Royals used a six-run fourth inning to rout the Tigers, 10-2, on Tuesday.

Jay Bruce went 3-for-5 with a two-run single, Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run homer and Dave Sappelt drove in one. Homer Bailey allowed two runs in seven.

After a 5-1 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday, Milwaukee's magic number for clinching the National League Central fell to three, with the Cardinals winning their third straight game.

Nationals center fielder Jayson Werth is day to day after leaving Tuesday night's game against the Phillies with a right elbow bruise.

Ivan Nova solidified his case for a spot in a postseason rotation with 7 2/3 shutout innings Tuesday in a 5-0 win over the Rays at Yankee Stadium. The stellar, six-hit performance was Nova's fifth quality start in his past six outings.

Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez continued his recent hot streak, but was forced to exit Tuesday night's 4-0 win over the Marlins with a strained right calf muscle. His status is day to day.

Alex Gonzalez homered as part of a three-run second inning and Randall Delgado tossed five shutout innings on Tuesday in a much-needed victory for the Braves.