The Red Sox were excited by David Ortiz’s two homers Wednesday. He has homered only once every 22 at-bats since returning from his wrist injury and shoulders a huge postseason load with Manny Ramirez gone. … Ryan Howard says Albert Pujols deserves the NL’s MVP award, but Philadelphia wouldn’t be positioned for the playoffs without Howard delivering 12 homers and 34 RBIs in a 26-game stretch. “He’s a carrier,” manager Charlie Manuel said, meaning it in the best sense. … Baseball’s current iron men are Justin Morneau and Raul Ibanez, the only players who have a chance to start every one of their team’s games this season. Morneau deserves some MVP consideration. He had 27 fewer RBIs than Josh Hamilton at the All-Star break but has passed him for the AL lead. … Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) remains questionable for the playoffs. Vladimir Guerrero (knee), Chone Figgins (elbow), Erick Aybar (hamstring) and Juan Rivera (hip) also are banged up but are expected to play. … Ben Sheets’ continuing health problems may give Milwaukee a chance to re-sign him, but it’s unclear if GM Doug Melvin wants to keep counting on such a fragile ace. … Thumbs up to Tony La Russa for being such a fan of the game that he used the Cardinals’ day off Monday to make one last visit to Yankee Stadium. … The Dodgers are trying to get a read on how useful Brad Penny can be out of the bullpen in October. … Texas is leading the AL in scoring but has a 9-20 record against the Red Sox, Twins and Tigers, who ranked second, third and fourth entering the weekend. The Rangers gave up an average of 8.2 runs to those teams. … The Indians are encouraged by what they have gotten from Anthony Reyes (2-0, 1.83 in six starts) and rookie lefty Scott Lewis, who didn’t give up a run in his first 14 big-league innings.
