NEW YORK — Commuters beware, conductors be timely and rats, well, run for your lives. It’s Subway Series time again this weekend in New York City, where the No. 7 line will be clogged with pinstripes so close to the autumnal equinox for first time since 2000. The trains will be full with orange and blue too, like they typically are, those colors sparkling particularly bright at the moment. Mets fans are ravenous now, able to sense their team’s first postseason birth since 2006, thanks to a comfortable 7 1/2 lead in the National League East.

Double-A Biloxi kicked off the Southern League Championship Series on Wednesday with a decisive, 7-2, win over Chattanooga. Jorge Lopez turned in another excellent start for the Shuckers, allowing one earned run on four hits over seven innings.

After a wild ninth inning that saw both closers blow one-run leads, the Tigers ultimately prevailed with a go-ahead RBI single from Ian Kinsler in the 12th inning in a 7-4, rain-delayed win over the Twins on Wednesday night at Target Field.

Angels starter Jered Weaver was ejected with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning at Safeco Field on Wednesday after drilling Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager in the arm.

Jake Peavy limited the Reds to two runs in six-plus innings and helped himself in a big way at the plate, crushing a solo home run in the fourth, to help guide the San Francisco Giants to a 5-3 victory over Cincinnati on Wednesday night at AT&T Park.

Luis Severino bounced back from the roughest outing of his brief Major League career, Greg Bird homered and drove in two runs and the Yankees defeated the Rays, 3-1, on Wednesday at Tropicana Field.

Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario joined rare company with his solo homer in the third inning against the Tigers in Wednesday’s 7-4 loss in 12 innings, as he became the first rookie with at least 10 homers, 10 triples, 10 doubles and 10 stolen bases in a season since Hanley Ramirez in 2006.

Prince Fielder has found himself on a first-place team that’s playing its best baseball at the most important time of the year.

Jake Arrieta has been picking up the Cubs all season. On Wednesday night, the Cubs returned the favor. Four innings after Arrieta’s first crack at a 20th win went by way of a frenetic tying Pirates rally, Anthony Rizzo’s 12th-inning sacrifice fly gave the Cubs a 3-2 win on Roberto Clemente Day at PNC Park.

With roughly two and a half weeks left in the season, it’s now or never for some teams. Every game is vital this time of year as teams are fighting for one of the coveted spots in the playoffs.

Rookie outfielder Tommy Pham homered twice while driving in four runs, Jaime Garcia pitched into the seventh inning and the Cardinals made it a bona fide winning streak by beating the Brewers, 5-4, Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Francisco Lindor continued his scorching second half and strengthened his case for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, igniting the Indians’ offense in a 5-1 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

Starlin Castro received a compliment from a former teammate on his potential game-saving play during the Cubs’ 3-2, 12-inning victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night.

David Price tossed seven strong innings, while Edwin Encarnacion reached base five times in his return to the lineup as the Blue Jays coasted to a 9-1 victory over the Braves on Wednesday night at Turner Field.

If the Royals and Blue Jays wind up tied for the American League’s best record, which team would gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs?

Though the Blue Jays have become known for their offensive prowess in recent weeks, it was a defensive gem by an infielder on Wednesday night that left their starting pitcher clamoring for the Statcast breakdown after the game.

Alex Wood allowed one hit and tied a career high with eight innings as the Dodgers beat the Rockies, 2-0, on Wednesday night, as L.A. trimmed its magic number in the National League West to 10.