$40 PILOT GUESS THE EXACT BASEBALL SCORE CONTEST!
Rules:
Pick 1 Game in Today's MLB Schedule. Guess the Exact Score and Win $40. This is a Pilot for Friday. If it works well, we will move to doing this on a daily basis. Once again, it is just a Pilot. You are allowed to make 1 Guess a Day. When Basketball starts, you have the choice of guessing 1 basketball score in the NBA Daily Thread or MLB Daily Thread. Post in this thread.
Format to Use:
Example:
Team A: 6
Team B: 3
My picks for the day are:
Team C - analysis if avail.
Team A - analysis if avail.
Team D - analysis if avail.
Of course, this thread is also for posting your picks & Analysis
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Probable Starting Pitchers
(Sunday, April 22nd - All Times Eastern)
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 pm
(R) Jon Garland (0-1) vs. (R) Justin Verlander (1-0)
Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles, 1:35 pm
(L) Gustavo Chacin (2-0) vs. (R) Steve Trachsel (0-1)
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 1:40 pm
(R) Jake Westbrook (0-2) vs. (R) James Shields (1-0)
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, 2:10 pm
(R) Ramon Ortiz (3-0) vs. (L) Jorge De La Rosa (1-1)
Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers, 3:05 pm
(R) Chad Gaudin (1-0) vs. (R) Robinson Tejeda (2-1)
Seattle Mariners at LA Angels of Anaheim, 3:35 pm
(R) Jeff Weaver (0-2) vs. (R) Ervin Santana (1-2)
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox, 8:05 pm
(L) Chase Wright (1-0) vs. (R) Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-2)
NL
Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins, 1:05 pm
(R) Jerome Williams (0-3) vs. (R) Wes Obermueller (0-0)
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets, 1:10 pm
(R) John Smoltz (2-1) vs. (L) Tom Glavine (3-1)
Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds, 1:15 pm
(R) Freddy Garcia (0-1) vs. (R) Matt Belisle (2-0)
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:05 pm
(R) Roy Oswalt (3-0) vs. (R) Dave Bush (1-1)
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 pm
(R) Adam Wainwright (1-1) vs. (R) Wade Miller (0-1)
San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies, 3:05 pm
(R) Greg Maddux (1-1) vs. (R) Jason Hirsh (1-1)
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, 4:05 pm
(R) Yusmeiro Petit (0-0) vs. (R) Matt Cain (0-1)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 pm
(L) Tom Gorzelanny (2-0) vs. (R) Brett Tomko (0-0)
------------------------------------------------------------
Weather
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.
Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles, 1:35 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, 2:10 p.m.
Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.
Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers, 3:05 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox, 8:05 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 55.
Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins, 1:05 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.
Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds, 1:15 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:05 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.
San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies, 3:05 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, 4:05 p.m.
Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 50.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.
Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Injuries
Arizona Diamondbacks
04/12/07 Jeff DaVanon CF Ankle, shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Randy Johnson SP Back DL 15-day DL. Might return for April 24 start vs. San Diego
04/18/07 Micah Owings RP Leg Questionable Questionable for April 22 at San Francisco
Atlanta Braves
04/10/2007 Tanyon Sturtze RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/19/07 Willy Aybar 3B Hand DL 15-day DL. On team-imposed suspension
04/17/07 Lance Cormier RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/19/07 Mike Gonzalez RP Elbow Doubtful Doubtful for April 19 vs. Chicago Cubs
04/16/07 Mike Hampton SP Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
04/14/07 Chad Paronto RP Groin DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
Baltimore Orioles
04/19/07 Ramon Hernandez C Oblique DL 15-day DL. Doubtful for April 20-22 series vs. Toronto
04/19/07 Jay Payton LF Hamstring DL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment. Might return for April 20-22 series vs. Toronto
04/01/07 Sendy Rleal RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least May
04/12/07 Jaret Wright SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
03/25/07 Kris Benson SP Shoulder DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
Boston Red Sox
03/28/2007 Matt Clement SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-July
04/19/07 Jon Lester SP Lymphoma DL 15-day DL. Expected to make Class A rehab start April 20
Chicago Cubs
04/17/2007 Juan Mateo SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/17/2007 Kerry Wood SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/20/07 Alfonso Soriano LF Hamstring Questionable Questionable for April 23-25 series vs. Milwaukee
Chicago White Sox
04/17/2007 Toby Hall C Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late May
04/17/07 Scott Podsednik LF Groin DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
Cincinnati Reds
04/17/2007 Jared Burton RP Hamstring DL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
04/15/2007 Bill Bray RP Finger DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/15/2007 Jerry Gil SS Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/15/2007 Jeff Keppinger 2B Finger DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/15/2007 Elizardo Ramirez SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/13/07 Chris Denorfia LF Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
04/19/07 Ken Griffey CF Illness Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 vs Philadelphia
04/02/07 Eddie Guardado RP Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out until at least mid-June
Cleveland Indians
04/18/07 Cliff Lee SP Abdomen DL 15-day DL. Expected to make Triple-A rehab start April 21
04/01/07 Matt J. Miller RP Forearm DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Trot Nixon RF Flu Probable Probable for April 20-22 series at Tampa Bay
Colorado Rockies
04/14/2007 Tom Martin RP Groin DL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
04/16/07 Byung-Hyun Kim SP Thumb DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Rodrigo Lopez SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/15/07 Kaz Matsui 2B Back DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
Detroit Tigers
04/01/2007 Tony Giarratano SS Shoulder DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
04/01/2007 Kenny Rogers SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least July
04/18/07 Jose Mesa RP Groin Out Out until at least April 20-22 series vs. Chicago White Sox
04/09/07 Vance Wilson C Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
03/31/07 Edward Campusano RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
03/31/07 Roman Colon RP Neck DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
Florida Marlins
04/10/2007 Jose L. Garcia SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/01/2007 Carlos Martinez RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-July
04/19/07 Miguel M. Cabrera 3B Torso Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series vs. Washington
04/18/07 Alejandro De Aza CF Ankle DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/08/07 Jeremy Hermida RF Knee DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Sergio Mitre SP Finger Game Gametime decision for April 22 start vs. Washington
04/09/07 Ricky Nolasco SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
03/30/07 Josh Johnson SP Forearm, biceps DL 15-day DL. Out until at least June
03/30/07 Logan Kensing RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Might be out for the season
Houston Astros
03/29/2007 Brandon Backe SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
04/01/07 Hector Gimenez C Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
04/17/07 Jason Jennings SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Roy Oswalt SP Personal Probable Probable for April 22 start at Milwaukee
Kansas City Royals
04/18/2007 Mark Grudzielanek 2B Back Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series vs. Baltimore
04/15/2007 John Bale RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/15/2007 Luke Hudson SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/11/2007 Octavio Dotel RP Oblique DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/05/2007 Leo Nunez RP Wrist DL 60-day DL. Out until at least June
03/29/2007 Joe Nelson RP Shoulder DL 60-day DL. Might be out for the season
04/17/07 Scott Elarton SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. On Double-A rehab assignment
03/29/07 Angel L. Sanchez SS Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
Los Angeles Angels
04/17/07 Bartolo Colon SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Expected to return for April 21 start vs. Seattle
04/13/07 Kelvim Escobar SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/16/07 Chone Figgins CF Finger DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/18/07 Vladimir Guerrero RF Wrist Out Out until at least April 20-22 series vs. Seattle
04/19/07 Howie Kendrick 1B Finger DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late May
04/01/07 Dallas McPherson 3B Back DL 60-day DL. Might be out for the season
04/01/07 Juan Rivera LF Leg DL 15-day DL. Out until at least June
Los Angeles Dodgers
04/18/2007 Matt Kemp CF Shoulder DL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment. Eligible to return April 25 vs. San Francisco
04/18/07 Yhency Brazoban RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
04/09/07 Hong-Chih Kuo SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/01/07 Jason Repko CF Hamstring DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
04/18/07 Jason Schmidt SP Arm DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
Milwaukee Brewers
04/17/2007 Corey Koskie 3B Concussion DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/17/2007 Laynce Nix CF Oblique DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
Minnesota Twins
03/24/2007 Lew Ford LF Knee DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
03/24/2007 Francisco Liriano SP Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
04/10/07 Jeff Cirillo 3B Knee DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/19/07 Torii Hunter CF Shoulder Out Might return for April 20-22 series at Kansas City
04/17/07 Nick Punto 3B Ankle Questionable Questionable for April 18-19 at Seattle
04/18/07 Rondell White LF Calf DL 15-day DL. Questionable for 20-22 series at Kansas City
03/25/07 Alejandro Machado SS Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Might be out for the season
New York Mets
04/15/2007 Juan Padilla RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
03/31/2007 Duaner Sanchez RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least August
03/31/2007 Dave Williams SP Neck DL 15-day DL. Out until at least June
02/25/2007 Guillermo Mota RP Suspension Suspend Eligible to return May 27 at Florida
04/19/07 Paul Lo Duca C Hand Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series at Atlanta
03/31/07 Pedro Martinez SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-July
New York Yankees
04/18/07 Jeff Karstens SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment. Probable for April 21 start at Boston
04/18/07 Hideki Matsui LF Hamstring DL 15-day DL. Expected to begin Class A rehab assignment April 20. Might return for April 23-25 series at Tampa Bay
04/18/07 Mike Mussina SP Hamstring DL 15-day DL. Might return for April 27 start vs. Boston
04/15/07 Carl Pavano SP Forearm DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Humberto Sanchez SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
04/01/07 Jose Veras RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early June
04/19/07 Chien-Ming Wang SP Hamstring DL 15-day DL. Probable for April 24 start at Tampa Bay
Oakland Athletics
04/18/2007 Milton Bradley RF Hamstring Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series at Texas
04/19/07 Mark Ellis 2B Shoulder Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series at Texas
04/18/07 Rich Harden SP Shoulder Out Out until at least April 24 start at Baltimore
04/17/07 Dan Johnson 1B Hip DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/18/07 Esteban Loaiza SP Shoulder, neck DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
03/29/07 Mark Kotsay CF Back DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
Philadelphia Phillies
04/18/07 Ryan Budde C Oblique DL 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
04/19/07 Ryan Howard 1B Leg Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series at Cincinnati
04/01/07 Scott Mathieson SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Might be out for the season
Pittsburgh Pirates
04/15/2007 John Grabow RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
San Diego Padres
04/18/2007 Scott R. Cassidy RP Knee DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/17/07 Josh Bard C Groin DL 15-day DL. Eligible to return for April 27-29 series vs. L.A. Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
No injuries reported.
Seattle Mariners
04/01/2007 Mark Lowe RP Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out until at least June
04/19/07 Jose Guillen RF Hand Probable Questionable for April 19 vs. Minnesota
04/19/07 Felix Hernandez SP Elbow, forearm Out Out until at least early May
04/01/07 Cesar Jimenez RP Elbow DL 60-day DL. Out until at least June
04/12/07 Arthur Rhodes RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
St. Louis Cardinals
04/12/07 Chris Carpenter SP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/17/07 Juan Encarnacion RF Wrist DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/20/07 Scott Rolen 3B Illness Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series at Chicago Cubs
03/29/07 Josh Kinney RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out for the season
03/29/07 Mark Mulder SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least June
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
04/01/2007 Greg Norton RF Knee DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/18/07 Akinori Iwamura 3B Flu Questionable Questionable for April 20 vs. Cleveland
04/18/07 Dioner Navarro C Flu Questionable Questionable for April 20-22 series vs. Cleveland
03/31/07 Jon Switzer RP Shoulder DL 60-day DL. Out until at least late May
Texas Rangers
04/18/2007 Joaquin Arias SS Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/18/2007 John Rheinecker SP Back DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/19/07 Brad B. Wilkerson LF Knee Questionable Questionable for April 19 at Chicago White Sox
04/13/07 Jamey Wright SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
Toronto Blue Jays
04/17/2007 Troy Glaus 3B Heel DL 15-day DL. Eligible to return April 28 vs. Texas
04/16/2007 B.J. Ryan RP Elbow DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late May
04/15/2007 Brandon League RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/16/07 Reed Johnson LF Back DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-July
04/15/07 Davis Romero RP Shoulder DL 60-day DL. Out for the season
03/31/07 John Thomson SP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late May
Washington Nationals
04/15/2007 Alex Escobar CF Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
03/28/2007 Nick Johnson 1B Leg DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/12/07 Luis Ayala RP Elbow, neck DL 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-May
04/04/07 Cristian Guzman SS Hamstring DL 15-day DL. Out until at least late April
04/12/07 Ray King RP Shoulder DL 15-day DL. Out until at least early May
04/03/07 Nook Logan CF Foot DL 15-day DL Out until at least late April
04/18/07 Mike O'Connor SP Elbow DL 60-day DL Out until at least June
-------------------------------------------------------------
Previews
AL
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (9-7) AT DETROIT TIGERS (9-8), 1:05 P.M.
The surging Chicago White Sox attempt to nail down a fifth consecutive victory, as well as an impressive sweep of the Detroit Tigers, when the two American League Central rivals complete their three-game series this afternoon at Comerica Park.
Chicago has posted come-from-behind wins in each of the first two games of this weekend set. After rallying from a two-run deficit to earn a 5-4 triumph over the Tigers in Friday's opener, the White Sox overcame a first-inning grand slam from Detroit's Carlos Guillen on Saturday to win 7-5 in 10 innings.
Jermaine Dye doubled home Paul Konerko, who led off the top of the 10th with a two-base hit, for the go-ahead run and later scored on Juan Uribe's sacrifice fly.
Dye and Joe Crede each drove in two runs for the White Sox, while Pablo Ozuna stroked a pair of hits to start Chicago rallies and scored twice in the victory.
David Aardsma (2-0) got one out in the bottom of the ninth to record the win, as the Chicago bullpen combined for three innings of one-hit relief. Starter Jose Contreras allowed five runs on five hits in seven innings, but settled down nicely after surrendering Guillen's first-inning slam.
Bobby Jenks set down the Tigers in order in the home 10th for his sixth save.
Magglio Ordonez also homered for Detroit, which has lost twice in extra innings during its current three-game slide.
Fernando Rodney (1-4) gave up both 10th-inning runs to suffer his league- leading fourth loss of the season.
Jon Garland, an 18-game winner for the White Sox in each of the past two seasons, takes another crack at earning his first victory of the 2007 campaign this afternoon.
The lanky right-hander is 0-1 in three previous starts this month, but has only received two runs of support over his last two outings. In Garland's most recent appearance, he held Texas to two runs over his first six innings before yielding three more in the seventh in Chicago's 8-1 setback to the Rangers on Tuesday.
Prior to that start, Garland threw seven shutout innings and gave up only three hits to Oakland on April 10, but did not factor in the decision of a 2-1 White Sox defeat.
The 27-year-old does own a 12-6 record with a 4.32 earned run average in 22 lifetime starts against Detroit, and is an outstanding 8-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 12 career games at Comerica Park.
Garland will be opposed by reigning AL Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander, who faces the team that gave him the most trouble during his brilliant debut campaign.
Verlander went 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA over 30 starts in 2006, but four of those losses came against Chicago. The hard-throwing righty went 1-4 with a 7.82 ERA in five starts versus the White Sox and yielded a whopping 10 home runs in 25 1/3 innings over that span.
The 24-year-old has pitched very well so far this season, despite having only one victory to his credit over his first three starts. Verlander has allowed just three earned runs and 10 hits in 19 innings of work.
He surrendered only one unearned run in consecutive starts against Kansas City and Baltimore to begin the year, but received a no decision each time. Verlander then managed to break into the win column on Monday, when he held the Royals to three runs and struck out a season-high six over six innings of Detroit's 12-5 triumph.
Chicago won 12 of 19 meetings between the rivals last season and is 28-12 against the Tigers since the start of the 2005 campaign. The White Sox have gone 15-6 in Detroit over that span.
The White Sox swept a three-game series from the Tigers in Comerica Park last April, with Garland beating Verlander in the finale.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (8-9) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (10-7), 1:35 P.M.
The Baltimore Orioles aim for their second consecutive three-game sweep at home, while the Toronto Blue Jays hope to avoid yet another loss when the divisional foes complete their weekend series today at Camden Yards.
Baltimore posted its seventh victory in eight games and dealt the reeling Blue Jays a fourth straight defeat with Saturday's 5-2 triumph. Miguel Tejada drove in a pair of runs for the red-hot Orioles, while Chris Gomez finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Orioles starter Adam Loewen (2-0) worked around a career-high seven walks to pick up his second win of the season. The young left-hander held Toronto to two runs over his 5 2/3-inning stint before Chad Bradford and Danys Baez combined for 2 1/3 frames of one-hit relief.
Chris Ray worked a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.
Former Oriole Josh Towers (1-2) was battered for five runs -- four earned -- and nine hits in five-plus innings for Toronto. Alex Rios was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored in the loss.
Baltimore has now won five in a row at Camden Yards and is off to a 6-2 start at home this season. The Orioles won all three meetings with Kansas City from April 12-14 in their prior series as the host.
The Blue Jays turn to Gustavo Chacin in hopes of reversing their recent fortunes this afternoon.
Chacin delivered a gem his last time out, as the Venezuelan lefty limited Boston to a run on six hits over a season-high 6 2/3 innings to help Toronto to a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. It was the second straight winning start for Chacin, who defeated Kansas City with five frames of three-run ball on April 11.
The 26-year-old, who has issued only one walk in 17 2/3 innings of work thus far in 2007, is 2-3 lifetime against Baltimore despite pitching to a 2.95 earned run average in six starts versus the Orioles. Chacin has also had success at Camden Yards, where he has surrendered just four runs over 20 2/3 innings in three career outings.
Baltimore will hand the ball today to Steve Trachsel and hope the veteran can rebound from a rough outing Tuesday at Tampa Bay. The 36-year-old lasted just 3 2/3 frames against the Devil Rays and was charged with six runs, all of which were scored in the fourth inning, on six hits. He also walked three and was dealt his first loss of the season.
Prior to that start, Trachsel held Kansas City to a run and three hits over seven strong innings during his Camden Yards debut in an Orioles uniform. He did not receive a decision, however, in a game Baltimore eventually won in extra innings.
Trachsel does bring a 3-0 record and a 3.20 ERA over four career starts against Toronto into this afternoon's tilt. He faced the Blue Jays once while with the Mets last season and picked up a victory on June 25 after giving up four runs in five innings.
Baltimore has won seven of its last 11 from Toronto at home but has not swept a three-game series from the Blue Jays at Camden Yards since May 9-11, 1994.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (7-7) AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (7-10), 1:40 P.M.
Jake Westbrook attempts to rebound from a dreadful performance in his last start when he takes the mound today for the Cleveland Indians in the rubber match of a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from Tropicana Field.
Westbrook was shelled by the New York Yankees on Tuesday, just days after agreeing to a three-year, $33-million contract extension with the Indians. The durable right-hander was tagged for eight hits -- three of them homers -- and allowed eight runs before departing after only 1 2/3 innings in a 10-3 loss at Yankee Stadium.
It was Westbrook's shortest start, not including ones halted by injury or rain, since his major league debut as a member of the Yankees on June 17, 2000. He lasted just 1 2/3 frames in that game as well.
The sinker specialist has struggled in both of his road starts in 2007. In his season debut at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field on April 4, Westbrook surrendered seven runs over five innings in a no decision against the White Sox.
Westbrook is 5-2 lifetime against Tampa Bay with a 4.21 career earned run average in nine starts, and owns a 3-1 record with a 3.41 ERA in five previous appearances at Tropicana Field.
The Devil Rays send out James Shields, who makes his first career start against Cleveland this afternoon. The right-hander was in line for his second victory of the season Monday against Baltimore, as he exited with one out in the seventh inning and his team holding a 7-5 lead. The Tampa bullpen then proceeded to give up three quick runs and Shields was left with a no decision in a 9-7 Devil Rays' loss.
Shields did get a win in his previous trip to the hill, when he held Texas to five runs -- four earned -- and struck out a career-high eight batters over seven frames on April 11.
Tampa Bay snapped a string of seven straight defeats to Cleveland by edging the Tribe on Saturday. Ben Zobrist knocked in a pair of runs, including the eventual game-winner in the sixth inning, as the Devil Rays hung on for a 6-5 victory.
Ty Wigginton went 3-for-4 with a solo home run to help Tampa Bay rebound from a 4-3 setback to the Indians in Friday's opener.
Rays starter Jae
Seo (1-1) pitched six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits to pick up his first victory of the season. Four Tampa relievers combined to hold Cleveland scoreless over the final three frames, with Al Reyes throwing a perfect ninth to notch his sixth save.
Paul Byrd (1-1) started on the mound for Cleveland and was charged with all six Tampa Bay runs on 11 hits.
Travis Hafner smacked a three-run homer in the loss, the Indians' fourth in five games. The slugger has now went deep in six consecutive games at Tropicana Field.
Saturday's defeat was only the third for Cleveland in its last nine games in Tampa.
MINNESOTA TWINS (11-6) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (5-12), 2:10 P.M.
Ramon Ortiz shoots for a fourth consecutive winning start for the Minnesota Twins as the early-season American League Central leaders wrap up a three-game set with the Kansas City Royals today at Kauffman Stadium.
Ortiz has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins since signing a one-year contract with the club during the offseason. The veteran righty has won all three of his starts so far and allowed two runs or less in each outing. Ortiz has shown outstanding control, having walked just two batters in 22 innings, and has yielded only 16 hits over that span.
The 33-year-old gave up a pair of solo homers Tuesday in Seattle, but held the Mariners off the scoreboard over the remainder of his seven-inning stint to help Minnesota post an 11-2 victory.
As a member of the Washington Nationals in 2006, Ortiz struggled through an 11-16 campaign in which he recorded a lackluster 5.57 earned run average over 33 starts.
He has not historically fared well against Kansas City, however. In eight previous starts versus the Royals, Ortiz is 3-4 with a 7.09 ERA over 47 innings.
The Royals counter today with Jorge De La Rosa, who has had back-to-back shaky starts after throwing seven innings of one-run ball to defeat Detroit in his season debut.
De La Rosa faced the Tigers again on Tuesday and didn't fare as well. The young lefty surrendered five runs (four earned) on eight hits in a six-inning no decision, although he did record six strikeouts without a walk.
The 26-year-old Mexico native has never beaten the Twins. In five lifetime appearances, including three starts, against Minnesota, De La Rosa is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA.
Kansas City came through with an 11-7 victory over the Twins on Friday, but Minnesota evened the set with Saturday's 7-5 decision. Mike Redmond went 3- for-4 with three RBI to lead a 16-hit attack for the Twins.
Joe Mauer had two doubles and knocked in a pair of runs, while Torii Hunter finished with two hits and an RBI to help Minnesota win for the fourth time in five games. Nick Punto ended 2-for-4 and snapped a 5-5 tie with an RBI triple in the seventh inning.
Pat Neshek (2-0) got the win after striking out the side in the sixth inning in relief of starter Boof Bonser, who allowed five runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over the first five frames. Joe Nathan worked a perfect ninth for his sixth save.
Mark Teahen and Alex Gordon both homered for the Royals, who had their two- game winning streak halted. Mark Grudzielanek finished with two hits and two runs scored.
Reliever Joel Peralta (0-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up two runs on three hits while getting only two outs.
Minnesota is 38-21 against the Royals since the start of the 2004 season and won 12 of the 19 meetings between the divisional foes last year. The Twins are 15-7 in Kansas City over the past two seasons.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS (9-8) AT TEXAS RANGERS (7-10), 3:05 P.M.
After receiving a much-needed boost in the starting pitching department on Saturday, the Texas Rangers hope to get another shot in the arm from Robinson Tejeda in today's rubber match of a three-game home series with the Oakland Athletics.
The Rangers recovered from Friday's 16-4 bashing at the hands of the A's behind a terrific performance from Kameron Loe last night. The right-hander gave up just three hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings to lead Texas to a 7-0 victory.
Loe struck out five and walked one in his first start of the season. He had began the year in the bullpen but received the nod with Jamey Wright placed on the disabled list earlier in the week.
Texas put the game out of reach by scoring five times in the eighth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Matt Kata. Nelson Cruz added three hits and scored twice to help the Rangers halt a three-game losing streak.
Oakland, which had a string of four consecutive victories end, received a solid start as well out of Joe Kennedy (0-2). The left-hander allowed just a run and three hits in five innings of a hard-luck defeat.
The Rangers will try to make it two wins in a row behind Tejeda, who has had two excellent outings sandwiched around one poor start so far this season. The native Dominican was terrific his last time out, as Tejeda limited Chicago to a run on three hits over seven innings to defeat the White Sox Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field.
Prior to that start, Tejeda was rocked for six runs and 10 hits in five innings to take the loss in a 6-5 home defeat to Tampa Bay on April 11.
Tejeda has won both of his two career starts against Oakland and has yielded only one unearned run over those appearances. He faced the Athletics in Oakland last September and scattered 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-1 Texas win.
The A's will send out Chad Gaudin, who has flourished since being brought into the rotation following Esteban Loaiza's neck injury during spring training. The valuable swingman has allowed only four runs over 18 2/3 innings over his initial three starts of 2007 and has limited opposing hitters to a .185 average thus far.
After pitching well in his first two starts but not factoring in the decision either time, Gaudin got a win against the rival Angels on Tuesday. He gave up only one run and four hits over a career-high 7 2/3 innings of work.
Gaudin has made nine previous appearances against Texas, all in relief, and is 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in those games.
Texas held a slim 10-9 edge in its season series with Oakland last year. The clubs split 10 meetings in Texas, where the Athletics are 13-8 since the beginning of the 2005 season.
SEATTLE MARINERS (5-8) AT LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (8-9), 3:35 P.M.
In his first start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim since his ill-fated tenure with the club ended midway through last season, Jeff Weaver will attempt to help the Seattle Mariners avoid a three- game sweep to their division rivals this afternoon at Angel Stadium.
Weaver signed with the Angels prior to the beginning of last season, but pitched badly over 16 starts before the club designated him for assignment in late June and subsequently traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran righty had a 3-10 record and a gaudy 6.29 earned run average during his short stay in Anaheim.
The 30-year-old rebounded with a solid half-season with St. Louis and pitched very well during the 2006 playoffs, helping him earn a one-year free-agent contract with Seattle over the winter. Weaver has disappointed so far, however, having surrendered 14 runs and 17 hits over just eight innings in losses to Boston and Minnesota to begin his 2007 campaign.
Weaver will be facing the Angels for the first time since the trade, but does own a 5-5 record with a 2.78 ERA in 12 previous appearances (10 starts) versus Los Angeles.
He will match up against another struggling right-hander this afternoon in the Angels' Ervin Santana, who has failed to get out of the fifth inning in each of his last two starts.
Santana was rocked for six runs on seven hits and walked four over 4 1/3 shaky innings in a loss at Cleveland on April 10, then gave up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in a four-inning stint at Boston's Fenway Park on Monday. He again wound up with the loss in the Angels' 7-2 setback.
A return to the home mound could help Santana, as he is 20-5 with a 3.07 ERA all-time at Angel Stadium, compared to a 9-13 career mark and a 6.78 ERA on the road. In his lone home start this season, the native Dominican allowed just two runs and four hits over seven frames to beat Texas on April 4.
Santana is 1-2 with a 6.56 ERA in four overall starts against Seattle.
The Angels had dropped six consecutive games coming into this series, but have taken each of the first two matchups. Los Angeles got a lift from former Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon on Saturday, as the ace right-hander threw seven strong innings in his first major-league start in nine months to lead the Angels to a 7-6 win.
Colon, who hadn't pitched in the big leagues since July 26, 2006 because of a partial rotator cuff tear, allowed just one run and scattered seven hits.
Vladimir Guerrero belted a two-run homer and Robb Quinlan finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Angels, who led 7-0 after six innings and survived a late Seattle rally.
Ben Broussard hit a pinch-hit grand slam off Angels reliever Scot Shields in the eighth inning to pull the Mariners within a run, but Francisco Rodriguez held Seattle scoreless in the ninth to earn his sixth save.
Horacio Ramirez (1-1) was rocked for six runs on seven hits and issued six walks in just four innings of work for the Mariners, who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.
Seattle has now dropped six straight games at Angel Stadium and is 2-10 over its last 12 meetings with Anaheim.
NEW YORK YANKEES (8-8) AT BOSTON RED SOX (11-5), 8:05 P.M.
Daisuke Matsuzaka gets his indoctrination into the Yankee- Red Sox rivalry tonight, when the Boston hurler tries to give his new club its first three-game sweep of the Bronx Bombers at Fenway Park in nearly 16 1/2 years.
Matsuzaka, a superstar pitcher in his native Japan, signed a lavish six-year, $52-million free-agent contract with Boston in December to help the Red Sox attempt to break the Yankees' run of nine consecutive American League East titles. The 26-year-old has proven to be worth the investment so far, even though he enters tonight's showdown having lost each of his last two starts.
A lack of run support has doomed Matsuzaka, who has compiled a strong 2.70 earned run average through his first three major-league starts and struck out 24 batters in 20 innings, in his two most recent outings. Seattle's Felix Hernandez threw a one-hit shutout to defeat the right-hander in his Fenway debut on April 12, and Matsuzaka was outdueled by Toronto's Gustavo Chacin in a 2-1 loss Tuesday at the Rogers Centre.
Matsuzaka gave up only three hits and three walks while striking out 10 over six frames against the Blue Jays, but was touched for a pair of runs in the fourth inning. It was the Japanese sensation's second 10-strikeout performance this season, matching his total during his season debut at Kansas City on April 5.
New York will also send out a newcomer to the feud, as rookie Chase Wright makes his second major league start in tonight's finale. The 24-year-old left- hander was called up from Double-A Trenton earlier this week because of injuries to starters Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano and delivered a solid performance against Cleveland on Tuesday.
Wright went the first five innings and gave up three runs to win his big- league debut. He received plenty of support from the Yankee bats, who put up eight runs over the first two innings in New York's 10-3 victory.
A third-round draft choice by the Yankees in 2001, Wright allowed five hits and walked three on Tuesday.
The Red Sox have not swept a three-game series from New York in Boston since August 31-September 2, 1990, but are on the verge of accomplishing the feat after Saturday's 7-4 triumph. David Ortiz homered and knocked in four runs to lead the Red Sox to their fourth straight victory and ninth win in 11 games.
Julio Lugo drove in a pair of runs and Kevin Youkilis finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for Boston, which banged out 13 hits on the afternoon.
Josh Beckett (4-0) became the majors' first four-game winner this season, as the right-hander overcame a slow start to pitch 6 2/3 innings. Beckett allowed five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits and struck out seven.
Jonathan Papelbon picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez continued his torrid start to the season with two hits and an RBI. The two-time AL MVP is now hitting .379 and has driven in 31 runs in just 16 games in 2007. He has hit safely in every game this season and is riding a 21-game hitting streak dating back to last year.
Derek Jeter went 2-for-5 with two runs scored for the Yankees, who entered the series having swept a three-game set with Cleveland.
Jeff Karstens, activated from the disabled list prior to the game, gave up seven runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
The Yankees had two key regulars missing from Saturday's lineup in center fielder Johnny Damon (back) and catcher Jorge Posada (thumb). Damon was used as a pinch hitter later in the contest and is expected back in the lineup tonight, but Posada will likely sit out another game.
Boston has now won five of the last six encounters with the Yankees, although the New York is 10-6 over the 16 most recent meetings between the teams and swept a crucial five-game series from the Red Sox in Fenway last August.
NL
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (6-12) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (7-10), 1:05 P.M.
Wes Obermueller makes his first start since 2005 this afternoon when the Florida Marlins play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Washington Nationals at Dolphin Stadium.
Obermueller, who was 0-1 with a 2.45 earned run average in three starts for Triple-A Albuquerque, has not pitched in the majors since going 1-4 with a 5.26 ERA in 23 games (eight starts) for the Milwaukee Brewers two seasons ago.
The 30-year-old right-hander has had success against the Nationals, going 2-0 against them with a sparkling 1.93 ERA in two starts.
Washington will counter with 25-year-old righty Jerome Williams, who is 0-3 this season with a 5.63 ERA. Williams' latest loss came on Tuesday against Atlanta, as he surrendered four runs and seven hits in five innings.
Williams has faced the Marlins just once, but did not earn a decision in that one.
Florida stopped its six-game losing streak on Saturday, as Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run home run and Cody Ross knocked in a pair of runs to help the Marlins roll to a 9-3 victory. Dan Uggla went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored and Josh Willingham went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Marlins, who won for just the second time in 10 games.
Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez (2-0) gave up five hits and three runs -- two earned -- in five innings of work before leaving the game with tightness in his right hamstring.
Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Nationals, who have dropped three of their last five. Matt Chico (1-2) had a rough outing for Washington, walking seven batters and yielding six hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings. He did managed to strike out six batters.
On the injury front for the Marlins, star third baseman Miguel Cabrera missed his second straight game on Saturday with an oblique injury, while first baseman Mike Jacobs missed the contest with a bruised right thumb. Cabrera hopes to return today, while Jacobs will likely sit.
Florida took two of three against the Nationals to open the season and are 14-9 against them since the start of last season. Washington also lost six of nine in South Beach a year ago.
ATLANTA BRAVES (11-6) AT NEW YORK METS (11-5), 1:10 P.M.
Best friends face off for the second time this month this afternoon when Tom Glavine and the New York Mets play the rubber match of their three-game series with John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium.
Glavine, of course, spent the first 16 years of his career in Atlanta, where he was a teammate of Smoltz for 14 of those seasons. He racked up 242 wins and a pair of Cy Young awards with the Braves, but has struggled against his former team since signing with the Mets before the start of the 2003 campaign.
In 16 starts against Atlanta, Glavine is just 3-10 with a 5.55 earned run average. Glavine's lone loss this season came at the hands of Smoltz and the Braves back on April 7 when he gave up five runs (two earned) on four hits in 5 1/3 frames.
The 41-year-old left-hander is off to a great start for the Mets and is 3-1 with a 2.70 earned run average in four starts. He picked up the 293rd win of his career in his last outing on Tuesday against Philadelphia, as he allowed a run on six hits in six frames.
Smoltz, meanwhile, enters this contest after defeating the Washington Nationals in his last start on Tuesday. Smoltz surrendered four runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings of that one, as he improved to 2-1, while lowering his ERA to 3.12.
The 39-year-old righty picked up the win in that April 7 contest against the Mets and is 16-13 lifetime against them with 24 saves and a 3.40 ERA.
On Saturday Carlos Beltran went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored as New York defeated Atlanta, 7-2. Jose Reyes had three hits, including a solo home run, for the Mets, who bounced back from a 7-3 loss in Friday's series- opener and have won four of their last five games.
Oliver Perez (2-1) yielded two runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win.
Chuck James (2-2) suffered his second loss in as many outings, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three on the heels of his first loss of 2007 on Monday against Washington.
Andruw Jones went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Atlanta, which has dropped two of three.
Atlanta has won three of five from the Mets this season, but New York holds a slight 13-10 edge in the series since the start of last season.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (6-11) AT CINCINNATI REDS (9-9), 1:15 P.M.
Freddy Garcia tries to help the Philadelphia Phillies win consecutive games for the first time this season this afternoon when they play the rubber match of their three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Garcia was tagged with the loss in his Phillies debut on Tuesday against the New York Mets, as he allowed three runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Garcia, who was acquired in the offseason from the Chicago White Sox, started the season on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis.
The 30-year-old right-hander has fared pretty well in his career against the Reds, going 2-0 against them with a 2.25 earned run average in two starts.
Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Matt Belisle, who is 2-0 this season with a 3.63 ERA. In his last start on Tuesday against Milwaukee, Belisle allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 11-5 win.
Belisle has faced the Phillies three times out of the bullpen, but has yet to receive a decision.
In the second game of this set on Saturday Cole Hamels was spectacular on the mound as he notched a career-high 15 strikeouts to help Philadelphia to a 4-1 win. Chase Utley hit a solo home run and drove in three runs and Aaron Rowand hit a solo home run for the Phillies, who have won two of their last three games.
Hamels (2-0) won his second straight start as he was charged with just one run and five hits in his first complete game in the majors. He also walked two batters.
Jeff Conine hit a solo home run and Eric Milton (0-3) lost his third straight start as he was charged with three runs -- two earned -- on six hits in six innings of work.
On the injury front Philadelphia played its third game in a row without NL MVP Ryan Howard, who has missed the past three contests with a sprained ligament in his left knee. He is expected to play today, though.
Philadelphia won four of its six matchups with the Reds last season and is 12-9 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Phillies have also won seven of their last nine in Cincy.
HOUSTON ASTROS (9-7) AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS (10-7), 2:05 P.M.
Roy Oswalt tries for his fourth win of the young season this afternoon when the Houston Astros play the rubber match of their three- game set with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Oswalt has been great in four starts for the Astros, going 3-0, while pitching to a 2.89 earned run average. Oswalt was again tremendous on Tuesday against the Florida Marlins, as he allowed a run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings to nail down the win.
The 29-year-old right-hander is 11-6 lifetime against the Brewers with a 3.39 ERA in 20 starts.
Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Dave Bush, who is 1-1 this season with a 5.82 ERA. Against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, Bush allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 11-5 loss.
Bush has had success against the Astros and is 2-0 against them with a 2.17 ERA in four starts.
In the second game of this series on Saturday, J.J. Hardy hit two home runs and drove in three runs as the Milwaukee edged Houston, 6-4. Damian Miller chipped in with three hits, including a double and an RBI-single and Kevin Mench and Tony Graffanino each drove in one run as the Brewers won for the third time in their last four games.
Chris Capuano (3-0) allowed four runs on four hits while striking out six and walking six over six innings of work. Francisco Cordero earned his sixth save of the season.
Morgan Ensberg hit a solo home run and former Brewer Carlos Lee drove in a pair of runs for Houston, which had its five-game winning streak stopped.
Wandy Rodriguez (0-2) gave up six runs on nine hits and struck out seven in six innings pitched. He also walked three batters.
The Astros won 10 of their 15 meetings with the Brewers last season and posted a 5-4 mark in Milwaukee in 2006. Houston is 34-17 against the Brewers since the start of the 2004 campaign.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (7-10) AT CHICAGO CUBS (7-10), 2:20 P.M.
The Chicago Cubs try to win their first home series of the season this afternoon when they play the rubber match of their three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
After losing the opener of the series on Friday, the Cubs bounced back on Sunday, as ex-Cardinal Jason Marquis tossed seven shutout innings, while Michael Barrett and Ronny Cedeno each belted home runs to help Chicago to a 6-0 win.
Marquis (2-1), who inked a three-year, $21 million deal with the Cubs in the offseason after three seasons with St. Louis, yielded seven hits and struck out five. The 28-year-old right-hander improved to 2-0 lifetime against the Cards and dropped his ERA to 1.88 this year.
Cedeno finished with two RBI and Matt Murton went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Cubs, who have won two of their last three games. Will Ohman pitched a perfect eighth and ninth to seal the victory.
Chris Duncan had two hits for the Cardinals, who have dropped five of six. Anthony Reyes (0-3) absorbed the defeat, surrendering four runs on seven hits while fanning five in six innings.
Heading to the hill today for the Cubs will be right-hander Wade Miller, who is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. Against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday Miller allowed three runs and six hits in five innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 4-3 loss.
Miller has faced the Cardinals 18 times over the course of his injury-plagued career and is 8-6 against them with a 3.74 ERA.
St. Louis will counter with Adam Wainwright, who will be trying to bounce back from his first loss of the season. On Tuesday against Pittsburgh, Wainwright surrendered five runs (four earned) on eight hits in six frames, as he slipped to 1-1 on the year, while raising his ERA to 3.20.
Wainwright has faced the Cubs nine times out of the bullpen without recording a decision and has pitched to a 4.32 ERA in those outings.
On the injury front Chicago's Alfonso Soriano missed his fifth straight game Saturday with a strained left hamstring, but is expected to return Monday against Milwaukee when he will be moved from center to left field.
Chicago won 11 of the 19 meetings with the Cardinals last season and are 22-15 in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign. The Cards have also struggled in the Windy City, where they have won in just six of their last 20 visits.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (11-7) AT COLORADO ROCKIES (7-11), 3:05 P.M.
Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux tries to help the San Diego Padres complete a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies this afternoon at Coors Field.
Maddux, who leads all active pitchers with 334 wins, picked up a no-decision in his last outing on Tuesday against Chicago, as he allowed three runs and six hits in five innings of his team's 4-3 win.
The 41-year-old right-hander, who is 1-1 this season with a 3.86 earned run average, lost earlier in the season to Colorado and is 12-6 lifetime against them with a 4.21 ERA.
Colorado will pin its hopes on Jason Hirsch, who outdueled Maddux back on April 6. Hirsch picked up his first win of the season that day, as he allowed a run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. In two starts against the Padres, Hirsch is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA.
Hirsch, who is 1-1 this year with a 3.38 ERA, received a no-decision in his last start on Tuesday against San Francisco, yielding three runs and six hits in seven innings of a 5-3 Rockies win.
In the second game of this series on Saturday Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Giles each drove in a pair of runs to help San Diego to a 7-3 win. Marcus Giles went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and Mike Cameron added a pair of hits and runs for the Padres, who have won four of their last five games.
Clay Hensley (1-3) worked six innings and was charged with 10 hits and two runs with three walks and a strikeout to pick up his first win of the season.
Garrett Atkins hit three doubles, drove in two runs and scored a run for the Rockies, who have dropped three straight and six of eight.
Jeff Francis (1-2) was saddled with the loss as he was roughed up for six runs on 13 hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work.
The Padres, who last swept the Rockies in a three-game set last September, took two of three from Colorado earlier in the season at home. The Rockies, however, were 6-4 at home against San Diego last year.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (10-9) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (8-8), 4:05 P.M.
The San Francisco Giants target their fifth straight win this afternoon when they try and complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park.
The Giants got back to .500 on Saturday, as Barry Zito pitched four-hit ball over 7 1/3 scoreless innings and Barry Bonds slugged his 739th career home run in San Francisco's 1-0 win.
Bonds finished 2-for-3 and is now just 17 home runs away from breaking Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755.
Zito (2-2) struck out five and walked three to earn his second consecutive win by shutout. Armando Benitez pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his fourth save of the season.
Rich Aurilia went 1-for-4, tying a career-high by hitting safely in 14 consecutive games for the Giants, who are 8-8 after starting the season with just one win in their first seven games.
Edgar Gonzalez (1-2) pitched seven full innings, scattering five hits and one run, fanning seven and not walking a batter. He also singled in two at-bats.
Conor Jackson, Stephen Drew, Chris Snyder and Tony Clark all had base hits for the Diamondbacks, losers in three straight and five of six. Orlando Hudson worked a walk, and has reached base in each of Arizona's 19 games this season.
Heading to the hill today for the Giants will be 22-year-old right-hander Matt Cain, who has yet to win in three starts this season, despite pitching to a sparkling 1.80 earned run average. Cain was brilliant on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, as he scattered two hits over seven scoreless innings. However, he did not factor in the decision of his team's 5-3 loss.
Cain has faced the Diamondbacks six times in his young career and is 2-2 against them with a 4.21 ERA.
Arizona will counter with Yusmeiro Petit, who will be recalled from Triple-A Tuscon prior to the contest to make his first start of the season. The right- hander pitched in 15 games (one start) for the Florida Marlins in 2006 and was 1-1 with a 9.57 ERA.
Petit faced the Giants twice out of the pen a year ago and pitched to an 18.00 ERA without recording a decision in four frames.
The Giants, who last swept Arizona last August, won 11 of 19 last year against the Diamondbacks, including a 6-3 mark at home. San Francisco is 38-20 versus Arizona since the start of the 2004 campaign.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (6-10) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (13-5), 4:10 P.M.
Tom Gorzelanny tries to continue his torrid start to the season this afternoon when the Pittsburgh Pirates try and salvage the finale of their three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Gorzelanny has been tremendous in his three starts this season, as he is 2-0 with a sparkling 1.33 earned run average. Gorzelanny was again solid on Tuesday in St. Louis, surrendering just a run on four hits in 8 1/3 innings to nail down the win.
The 24-year-old left-hander has faced the Dodgers just once in a relief role and was banged around for three runs and two hits in an inning of work.
Los Angeles will counter with veteran Brett Tomko, who has yet to pick up a decision this season, despite pitching to a 1.64 ERA in two starts. Tomko pitched well in his last start on Tuesday against Arizona, as he gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five innings of his team's 6-4 win.
Tomko is 7-5 lifetime against the Pirates with a 4.35 ERA in 19 games, 17 of which have been starts.
In the second game of this set on Saturday a pair of fielding miscues by Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino in the bottom of the ninth inning allowed Los Angeles to tie the game, and Russell Martin clubbed his first-career grand slam in the 10th to give the Dodgers a thrilling 7-3 victory.
Down 3-2 heading into the ninth, Andre Ethier earned a walk off Salomon Torres to start the inning and Wilson Valdez tried to sacrifice him over, but his bunt was too hard and Ethier was thrown out at second. Valdez, though, moved to second on a Torres' wild pitch and then scooted to third as Paulino's throw sailed into center field. Paulino then let a Torres pitch pass under his glove as Valdez slid across home to tie the game at 3-3.
Juan Pierre then led off the 10th inning with a single to right off Jonah Bayliss (1-1). Jeff Kent followed with a single one out later and the Pirates turned to Damaso Marte, who walked Luis Gonzalez to load the bases.
Pittsburgh then went with Shawn Chacon and had Don Kelly enter the game on a double switch as a "fifth" infielder. However, it didn't matter as Martin slammed a 1-2 pitch from Chacon over the left field wall to win it for LA.
Kent finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Dodgers, who have won three in a row and nine of their last 11.
Jonathan Broxton (1-0) threw a scoreless 10th to pick up the win.
Jack Wilson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Pirates, who have lost four in a row.
The Dodgers won four of six against the Pirates at home last season, and took six of 10 overall. LA is also 12-3 against Pittsburgh at Chavez Ravine since the start of the 2004 campaign and swept them in a three-game set there last June.
Linear Mode
