John Smoltz has reached a preliminary agreement on a contract with the Boston Red Sox, a stunning end to his long career with the Atlanta Braves

According to numerous media reports late Wednesday night, John Smoltz’s career in Atlanta will end on Thursday. 

A year after being named American League rookie of the year, Boston’s Dustin Pedroia is the winner of the American League Most Valuable Player award. The Red Sox infielder got 16 of the 28 first-place votes from the baseball writers and easily beat out Minnesota slugger Justin Morneau.

Boston will keep its spring training home in the Fort Myers area for 30 more years after signing an agreement with Lee County, Florida.

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to the World Series for the first time in their 11-year history. The Rays rode a clutch pitching effort by Matt Garza in a 3-1 win over Boston that earned them the American League pennant. The Rays won the ALCS in seven games after holding a 3-1 lead before Boston made it interesting.

The Boston Red Sox’s season isn’t quite up in flames, but a small fire at a landmark near Fenway Park can’t be a good omen. The fire Wednesday blackened some panels on the red, white and blue Citgo sign over Fenway’s Green Monster in left field.

B.J. Upton and Rocco Baldelli hit three-run homers to highlight a Tampa Bay power display in a 9-1 win over Boston in game three of the ALCS. The Rays lead the series two-games-to-one.

Sunday’s Major League Baseball Playoff Summaries