The Arizona Diamondbacks, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers all won division titles Friday night. But in New England, the Boston Red Sox have been falling like leaves from a mighty oak in the race for the American League wild card spot. Host Scott Simon talks sports with sports commentator Howard Bryant about this story and more.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed on to daredevil Nik Wallenda's request to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls. Cuomo signed a bill Friday that would permit Wallenda to attempt a feat that would otherwise be illegal. Wallenda would walk on a 2-inch thick wire stretching about 1,800 feet.

Michele Norris and sportswriter Stefan Fatsis talk about the NBA lockout. The league announced Friday it has canceled training camp and 43 preseason games.

In 2002, the Oakland A's made history, winning 20 games in a row to set a new American League record. In Moneyball, writer Michael Lewis goes behind the scenes and explains how the A's used statistics and analytics to compete with teams with much bigger payrolls.

Boston Red Sox fans are in a most uncomfortable position. They may have to cheer for the Yankees. Since early September, a Sox losing streak has erased most of a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the wild card playoff spot. Boston's September slump is resurrecting bilious memories of classic late-season fades, and it has some Sox fans even pulling for Yankees, who have the power to keep the Rays at bay.

A story in USA Today reports some Major League Baseball teams are discouraging their players from consuming energy drinks. Others have banned the drinks from clubhouse refrigerators. The reason: There is a fear that the drinks will contribute to dehydration and other side effects.