And… we’re back!  It was a nice All-Star break, okay, maybe not for the National League who are now 0-9-1 in the past ten All-Star games, but it’s back to pennant races and to see which teams will rise up to the occassion and who can’t take the heat and falters.

Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles
V. Padilla (8-5, 4.44) vs. D. Cabrera (4-6, 5.15)
The Rangers did a total rehaul of their pitching staff for this season with Vincente Padilla being a prime acquisition, along with Kevin Millwood and the still-injured, but coming to an A.L. ballpark near you, Adam Eaton.  While Padilla did show flashes with the Philadelphia Phillies, he now finds himself doing well with the Rangers.  It’s safe to say that Padilla has more than met expectations.  On the other hand, with pitching coach Leo Mazzone coming over from the Atlanta Braves, many thought that Daniel Cabrera would go bonkers.  The strikeouts are still coming in bunches, but unfortunately, so have the walks.  If Cabrera could just reign in the walks, we have a superstar in the making.  Right now, all we have is fizzling.

Oakland Athletics @ Boston Red Sox
E. Loaiza (3-5, 6.43 vs. J. Lester (4-0, 3.06)
The Athletics are tied for first in the A.L. West with the Texas Rangers and it’s about that time for another Athletics post-break run.  However, they start the second half of the season against a strong A.L. East leading Red Sox team.  On the hill for the A’s will be the veteran Esteban Loaiza, who’s been a disappointing free agent pick-up thus far.  Jon Lester, on the other hand, has been very solid since being called up from the minors earlier in the season to pick up the slack for the injured David Wells.

Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers
B. Duckworth (1-1, 5.33 vs. J. Bonderman (8-4, 3.46)
Last place versus first place in first place’s ballpark.  Good luck, Royals.  Brandon Duckworth was once a promising pitcher in the Phillies organization, but just couldn’t put it together.  So, he ends up with the Royals, a team that just can’t put it together.  Perfect fit.  Jeremy Bonderman is a pitcher on the rise, especially if he can stay strong in the second half and not falter like he did last season.

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins
C. Lee (8-6, 4.76) vs. F. Liriano (10-1, 1.83)
Francisco Liriano is an impressive pitcher.  All things considered, he’s arguably better than teammate Johan Santana thus far this season.  And Santana is widely regarded as the best in the business.  I don’t really know what else to say about Liriano other than the boy is just sick!  I’m sure the Indians are disappointed with their season thus far, but they did go on a hot streak at this time last year and can do it again.  The Indians have a few mashers in their batting order, so this will be a good test for Liriano.