Repeat after me: Luis Ayala is the Mets closer; he is not the chairman of their bullpen by committee.

Contrary to what has been written and spoken, the Mets do not have a bullpen by committee. They have a new closer, Ayala, and a horde of other relievers from whom manager Jerry Manuel picks and chooses depending on the game situation and the next batter or batters.

If Ayala were not the closer but simply part of Manuel’s mix, the manager’s maneuvers would fall in the bullpen-by-committee category. But after Billy Wagner went out with a season-ending elbow injury, Ayala won his audition to replace Wagner and has performed impressively in the role. He has given the manager no reason to switch to a committee format.

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By now, you should realize that the Red Sox are going to win the American League East title and finish in first place for a second successive season for the first time since 1916.

The Tampa Bay Rays have waged a scrappy, valiant fight for first, occupying the top spot since June 28 except for five days around the All-Star break and only one day when they played a game. It would be nice to have them rewarded for a surprising, stupendous season, but even after beating the Red Sox twice this week they seem to be ready to have Boston overtake them.

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At this time a year ago there was no hint that the Colorado Rockies were about to embark on one of the most awesome year-end streaks in history.

The Rockies had languished in fourth or fifth place in the National League West for most of the 2007 season, but beginning Sept. 16:
*They won 11 games in a row and 13 of the last 14 games on their schedule.
*They edged San Diego in a one-game playoff for the N.L. wild card.
*They went seven for seven in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
*All of that added to 21 victories in 22 games and a World Series reservation.

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