The first pitch of a potential Game 6 of the World Series will begin eight minutes later to accommodate Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama’s desire to purchase the 8-8:30 p.m. slot on the Fox network, the same airtime the campaign has secured on CBS and NBC. The Tropicana Field game is now scheduled to start at 8:35 p.m.

The first pitch of a potential Game 6 of the World Series will begin eight minutes later to accommodate Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama’s desire to purchase the 8-8:30 p.m. slot on the Fox network, the same airtime the campaign has secured on CBS and NBC. The Tropicana Field game is now scheduled to start at 8:35 p.m.

2008 – The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5 – 1, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to clinch the National League pennant. Cole Hamels wins his second game of the series and is named NLCS Most Valuable Player.

2008 – The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5 – 1, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to clinch the National League pennant. Cole Hamels wins his second game of the series and is named NLCS Most Valuable Player.

Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel is informed of the death of his mother his mother earlier in the day at a Virginia hospital after a brief illness. The grieving skipper, one of ten of June’s children, stays with the team and directs his club to an 8-5 victory against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel is informed of the death of his mother his mother earlier in the day at a Virginia hospital after a brief illness. The grieving skipper, one of ten of June’s children, stays with the team and directs his club to an 8-5 victory against the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Game 2 of the NLDS.

The Cubs exercise Rich Harden’s $7 million option for next year, the day after tests reveal the 26 year-old hurler has a sound pitching shoulder. The hard-throwing right-hander, obtained from the A’s in a July deal, compiled a combined record of 10-2, posting a 2.07 ERA in 25 starts for his two teams.

The Cubs exercise Rich Harden’s $7 million option for next year, the day after tests reveal the 26 year-old hurler has a sound pitching shoulder. The hard-throwing right-hander, obtained from the A’s in a July deal, compiled a combined record of 10-2, posting a 2.07 ERA in 25 starts for his two teams.

The Dodgers complete a three-game NLDS sweep of Chicago with a 3-1 victory, winning their first postseason series since 1998. The stunning loss in the playoffs extends the World Series drought for the Cubs into another century.

The Dodgers complete a three-game NLDS sweep of Chicago with a 3-1 victory, winning their first postseason series since 1998. The stunning loss in the playoffs extends the World Series drought for the Cubs into another century.

2008 – In Chicago, rookie Alexei Ramirez’s fourth grand slam of the year leads the White Sox to an 8 – 2 win over the Tigers in a make-up game, forcing a one-game playoff with the Minnesota Twins. Gavin Floyd picks up his 17th win of the season, while Armando Galarraga, making a rare relief appearance, is the loser for the Bengals.

2008 – In Chicago, rookie Alexei Ramirez’s fourth grand slam of the year leads the White Sox to an 8 – 2 win over the Tigers in a make-up game, forcing a one-game playoff with the Minnesota Twins. Gavin Floyd picks up his 17th win of the season, while Armando Galarraga, making a rare relief appearance, is the loser for the Bengals.

The Angels set a franchise record with 100 wins with a 7 – 0 romp over the Rangers. They finish with the best record in the majors this year.

The Angels set a franchise record with 100 wins with a 7 – 0 romp over the Rangers. They finish with the best record in the majors this year.

Pitching on a day’s short rest, CC Sabathia tosses a complete game, defeating the Cubs, 3-1. The victory, along with the Mets’ 4-2 loss to Florida an hour later, makes the Brewers the NL Wild Card and puts Milwaukee in the postseason for the first time since 1982.

Pitching on a day’s short rest, CC Sabathia tosses a complete game, defeating the Cubs, 3-1. The victory, along with the Mets’ 4-2 loss to Florida an hour later, makes the Brewers the NL Wild Card and puts Milwaukee in the postseason for the first time since 1982.

The Astros set a new National League mark for the fewest errors committed in one season. The 67 Houston miscues are one less than the record shared by the 1999 Mets and 2007 Rockies.

The Astros set a new National League mark for the fewest errors committed in one season. The 67 Houston miscues are one less than the record shared by the 1999 Mets and 2007 Rockies.

the last game played at Shea Stadium, the Mets complete their second dramatic late-season collapse in as many years, losing 4 – 2 to the Marlins.

In the last game played at Shea Stadium, the Mets complete their second dramatic late-season collapse in as many years, losing 4 – 2 to the Marlins. Relievers Scott Schoeneweis and Luis Ayala give up back-to-back homers to Wes Helms and Dan Uggla in the 8th inning to seal the Mets’s fate. Meanwhile, the Brewers defeat Chicago behind CC Sabathia’s four-hit complete game, in his third straight start on three days’ rest, and Ryan Braun’s home run, to clinch the National League Wild Card. New York led the NL East by 3 1/2 games with 17 games to play, but were passed by both the Phillies and Brewers to fall out of the playoff picture. For the Brewers, it will be a first postseason appearance since 1982.