Gardner may return this week

Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will take batting practice Monday and hopes to be activated in the next day or two, reports Jeff Bradley of the Star Ledger.

Gardner, who has missed all but nine games with a right elbow injury, would likely be used as a defensive replacement and a pinch-runner. Manager Joe Girardi also is leaving open the possibility of adding Gardner to any postseason roster.

The Yankees are ruling out Gardner as a pinch-hitter for now, but the outfielder wants to leave open that possibility, even if that may be too optimistic.

Staying the course in Anaheim

Forget any of that speculation that Mike Scioscia's job may be in jeopardy.

Angels owner Arte Moreno told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez Saturday night that Scioscia would return for a 14th season regardless of what happens in the team's remaining games, adding that GM Jerry Dipoto would return as well.

"Regardless of what happens the next 11 games, Mike Scioscia will 100 percent return," Moreno said. "I have told him. He wants to come back, I want him to come back. He's been the manager of the Angels for 13 years. He will be the manager of the Angels for a 14th year. Period."

The Angels set the bar for 2012 extremely high with the offseason signings of Albert Pujolsand C.J. Wilson, but are 2 1/2 games behind Oakland for the A.L.'s second wild card. If the Halos fail to make up ground, they will miss the playoffs for a third straight season.

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com on Saturday described the communication between Scioscia and Dipoto as "strained," adding that their relationship "neared a breaking point"on more than one occasion.

Dipoto tells the Los Angeles Times he never felt his job was in jeopardy.

Holliday's back problem

The Cardinals' Matt Holliday continues to play with back discomfort that prompted manager Mike Matheny to remove his star left fielder in the late innings of back-to-back games with the Cubs.

Holliday was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of a close game Sunday, leading to speculation that he could be in line for a night off. But a wild card berth is still up for grabs, so Holliday may simply play through pain.

Shane Robinson could be in line for a start if Holliday gets a rest

Monday Night Football: Packers at Seahawks

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks (3, 44.5)

After splitting their first two games at Lambeau Field, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will take their high-octane offense to the Pacific Northwest for a Monday night date with the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers wasn't even the star of the show in the Packers' last game on Sept. 13 as the defense flustered Jay Cutler and the NFC North rival Chicago Bears in a 23-10 triumph. Seattle's defense wasn't too shabby in its own right last week, keeping Tony Romo and Dallas under wraps en route to a 27-7 victory.

As for Rodgers, the Packers quarterback is used to being the target of opposing defenses. This past week, however, the league's reigning MVP was on the receiving end of a jab from Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley's agent, who used his Twitter account to take aim at Rodgers' leadership abilities. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch has certainly stepped up as the leader for his team, amassing 207 yards and a touchdown while dealing with the lingering effects of a balky back.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. 

LINE: Packers -3, O/U 44.5.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-70s with a 20 percent chance of showers. Wind shouldn’t be a factor.

ABOUT THE PACKERS (1-1): Greg Jennings sat out last week's game versus Chicago with a groin injury, but returned to practice earlier this week. The talented wideout, however, was held out of practice on Thursday following a setback in his recovery and is uncertain in his return for Monday game. Running back Cedric Benson responded to criticism following a paltry season-opening performance to rush for 81 yards in Week 2. The backfield, however, will likely be crowded with the return of last season's leading rusher James Starks, who has been plagued by a nagging turf toe injury.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (1-1): While coach Pete Carroll would be well served to utilize Lynch and keep Rodgers and company off the field, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson will still need to come up timely plays. The former Wisconsin star, who beat out ex-Packers backup Matt Flynn for the starting job, will need to cast a wary eye on NFL sacks leader Clay Matthews (six sacks). Seattle has enough trouble throwing the ball as it is, averaging a league-low 136 passing yards this season.

TRENDS:
* Packers are 3-0-2 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Over is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings.
* Seahawks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five Monday games.
* Packers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following an ATS win.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Packers haven't fared well on Monday nights since Rodgers took the helm of the club. Green Bay is 0-4 when playing away from Lambeau Field.

2. Seahawks WR Sidney Rice suffered an apparent head injury during the third quarter against Dallas. Rice returned to the contest and was not listed on the 
team's injury report this week.

3. Green Bay has won the last three meetings versus Seattle and six of seven dating to 2003. The clubs have split their four games in the Pacific Northwest.

The best bets in the bigs of MLB

Hot team: San Francisco Giants
Last week: 6-1
Season record: 89-64
Upcoming schedule: vs. Diamondbacks, at Padres

Skinny: The Giants won six in a row last week and clinched a playoff spot before falling 6-4 Sunday to the Padres.

Cold team: Colorado Rockies
Last week: 0-7
Season record: 58-94
Upcoming schedule: vs. Diamondbacks, vs. Cubs, at Dodgers

Skinny: The end of the season can’t come soon enough for the Rockies. Colorado has lost nine straight, dropping games to San Diego, San Francisco and Arizona.

Over team: Colorado Rockies
Last week: 6-1
Season O/U record: 78-68-5
Upcoming schedule: vs. Diamondbacks, vs. Cubs, at Dodgers

Skinny: Rockies pitchers rank dead last in the bigs in nearly every statistical category, while their hitters rank in the top 10 in most offensive stats. A perfect recipe for an over bet.

Under team: Cincinnati Reds
Last week: 5-1
Season O/U record: 59-81-13
Upcoming schedule: vs. Brewers, at Pirates

Skinny: Mat Latos tossed eight shutout innings against the Dodgers on Saturday to help the Reds clinch the NL Central for the second time in the last three seasons. Their pitching staff ranks third in ERA (3.40), which is a major reason why they’ve been an awesome under bet all season long.

Monday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

STREAKING

Marco Estrada, Milwaukee Brewers (4-6, 3.56)

Estrada threw seven scoreless innings against the Pirates as the Brewers won 3-1 on Wednesday. The righty now has 13 2/3 scoreless innings over his last two starts with 10 strikeouts. He certainly has momentum for his next outing against the Nationals.

Trevor Cahill, Arizona Diamondbacks (12-11, 3.89)

Cahill only gave up two runs over six innings against the Padres on Wednesday to pick up his 12th win of the campaign. The right-hander has claimed victories in each of his last three starts, allowing two runs in each of those. He toes the rubber against the lowly Rockies next.

SLUMPING

Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays (8-14, 5.72)

Romero had lost 13 straight decisions, matching a franchise record prior to a no-decision in his last start versus the Yankees. Although the lefty is showing signs of improvement, he hasn’t picked up a win since June 22 in Miami. He draws the red-hot Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader next.

Tyler Chatwood, Colorado Rockies (4-5, 5.73)

Chatwood gave up three runs on eight hits over four innings of a 7-1 loss to the Giants on Saturday. The 22-year-old hurler has only thrown more than five innings in one of his 10 starts this year. He pitches opposite Cahill and the Diamondbacks on Monday.

NFL week 3 - update 2

2 Teasers pending...

BAL RAVENS -2-110

SF 49ERS -6½-110

3 Team Teaser pays +200 (pending)

Sep 17   NFL [225] DEN BRONCOS +10½-115 (B+7½) (W)

Sep 17   NFL [225] TOTAL o43-110 (B+7½) (DEN BRONCOS vrs ATL FALCONS) (W)

Sep 23   NFL [405] SF 49ERS +½-110 (B+7½)

Sep 23   NFL [414] NO SAINTS -1-110 (B+7½)

3 Team Teaser +130 (pending)

Sep 20   NFL [303] NY GIANTS +10½-125 (B+7½) – (W)

Sep 23   NFL [402] CHI BEARS PK-110 (B+7½)

Sep 23   NFL [414] NO SAINTS -1-110 (B+7½)

3 Team ML Parlay +145

Sep 23 NFL [402] CHICAGO -335

Sep 23 NFL [414] NEW ORLEANS -375

Sep 23 NFL [425] PITTSBURGH -205

2 Team Teaser -120

Sep 23 NFL [402] CHI BEARS -1-110 (B+6)

Sep 23 NFL [414] NO SAINTS -2-110 (B+6)