Grim reality has asserted itself across the baseball landscape. Suspense, that subterranean creature who poked his curious head from the ground this summer, has resumed a long hibernation. We won't see him again until October.

A quick tour of the devastation: The New York Yankees are the best team in the American League, just days away from clinching. The Red Sox reversed the Tampa momentum with a big win Tuesday, and should take the wild card without much trouble. The Tigers have won 11 in a row to put Cleveland's dreams to rest. The Rangers aren't quite breathing easy, but it's doubtful the Angels have the firepower to erase a three-game deficit. In the NL, the Phillies are a win away from clinching a playoff berth, the Braves hold a 4½ game lead in the NL wild-card race, and it's all over but the shouting for the division-leading Brewers and Diamondbacks.

That leaves nothing to the imagination as the regular season dwindles, right?

Posted at 3:15 PM

Grantland's Katie Baker is helping out The Triangle (and you!) by answering your questions in our new mailbag. In this edition: snapbacks, cookie consumption, advice for incoming freshman, and New York Times weddings.

Posted at 12:00 PM