Starlin Castro is planning on getting his 200th hit of the season at Wrigley Field. Castro continued his countdown Monday, picking up hits Nos. 188, 189 and 190 in the Cubs' 12-8 win over the Reds. If he paces himself, the shortstop should easily reach the milestone on the next homestand.

B.J. Upton set a franchise record by reaching base safely in nine straight at-bats as the Rays won their fifth straight game and are now three game games behind Boston in the Wild Card.

A two-run double by Pedro Ciriaco capped a come-from-behind victory for the Pirates, who put a serious dent in the Cardinals' playoff hopes with Monday's 6-5 victory. The win, which came in front of 13,278 at PNC Park, snapped Pittsburgh's three-game losing streak as well as St. Louis' five-game winning run.

With so many young players under his guidance — the Astros have 16 rookies currently on their roster — manager Brad Mills can use what he sees during September as a way to get a jump-start on some evaluations for next year.

Infielders Chase Utley and Wilson Valdez were not available for Monday's Phillies game against the Astros.

Mets player representative Josh Thole made phone calls to the league Monday in order to get clearance for the Mets to wear FDNY and NYPD hats to honor New York's first responders next Sept. 11.

Following their three-game weekend sweep of the Red Sox, the Rays find themselves in the hunt of the American League Wild Race. It certainly makes for an all hands on deck situation — or more appropriately following the call up of heralded left-handed pitching prospect Matt Moore, all arms on deck.

While manager Jim Leyland has said Victor Martinez could catch if absolutely necessary, the Tigers will have to decide how many catchers to have on the postseason roster.

White Sox slugger Paul Konerko, Yankees pitcher David Robertson, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, Mets third baseman David Wright and Rangers infielder Michael Young have been selected by fans as finalists for the 2011 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.

While Tommy Hanson is aiming to pitch in an instructional league game within the next week, fellow Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens has been forced to deal with the fact that a right knee injury could prevent him from pitching in the playoffs for the second straight year.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty is loath to discuss contract negotiations about his players. Therefore, it was hardly a surprise Monday when Jocketty declined to discuss his own contract. His four-year deal as GM and president of baseball operations ends this year.

Though Miguel Batista has pitched serviceably for the Mets in his first three starts filling in for the injured Jon Niese, manager Terry Collins said Monday the team might give one of his starts to rookie right-hander Chris Schwinden.

Ryan Doumit returned to the Pirates' lineup on Monday after tests cleared him of any further complications from a chest bruise he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Marlins.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the saying goes, it probably is a duck. Well, if a pitcher pitches like a closer and pitches when a closer pitches, he probably is a closer.

It appears all but certain that the Cardinals will announce a two-year contract extension with right-hander Chris Carpenter on Tuesday.

The Indians knew Vinnie Pestano had a good chance of earning a prominent role in the bullpen this season. Cleveland just did not expect the rookie to rise to the challenge of securing a setup job so fast.

Logan Morrison bruised his right knee last Friday at Pittsburgh while making a sliding catch in a 13-4 blowout win and is likely to miss at least four games.