We’re back with a full set of games in both leagues, so let the second half begin!

Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees
J. Contreras (9-0, 3.38) vs. R. Johnson (10-7, 5.13)
Jose Contreras has won 17 straight decisions and will try to make it 18 against his former team, the New York Bankees.  Needless to say, Contreras will be “up” for this game.  He goes up against an inconsistent Randy Johnson who the Yankees will need to start a 17-game win streak himself in order for the Yankees to go deep into the playoffs.

Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers
M. Redman (6-4, 5.27) vs. K. Rogers (11-3, 3.85)
It’s an All-Star vs. All-Star matchup tonight, but you better believe that Kenny Rogers and the Tigers will win tonight.  In case, you haven’t heard or if you still don’t believe, the Tigers are for real in 2006, my friends.

Oakland Athletics @ Boston Red Sox
B. Zito (8-6, 3.29) vs. J. Beckett (11-4, 4.75)
As some of you may know, I’m a huge Athletics fan (see my comments creaming over Blanton, Haren, and Harden in previous posts) and was ecstatic the A’s took last night’s extra-innings game against the Red Sox.  Last night’s win is exactly the way this A’s team can get it going in the second half, per usual, as they came back after being down 3-1 until the 7th inning.  Tonight’s pitching matchup sees two excellent youngsters with different styles.  Barry Zito can bring the heat, but it’s his curveball that separates him from other pitchers.  Josh Beckett is all about the heat and he does it effectively.  If he ever mastered an off-speed pitch, he’d be even more effective and straight up devastating.

Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles
K. Millwood (8-5, 4.83) vs. K. Benson (9-7, 4.79)
Last night may be a sign that Mark Teixeira is coming out of his first-half malaise, as he hit three homers and knocked in seven runs as the Rangers routed the Orioles 15-1.  The Orioles have been horrible with few highlights, such as tonight’s starter Kris Benson.  Will he be enough to stop the embarrasment?  No.

Seattle Mariners @ Toronto Blue Jays
G. Meche (8-4, 3.83) vs. C. Janssen (6-7, 4.73)
Gil Meche has been coming on, which is great to see if you’re in the Mariners organization or an M’s fan.  All I can say is that if Meche keeps it up for the second-half, FINALLY!  Meche has been looked at as a pitcher with very big upside and tonight he starts his second-half to prove whether or not he’s reaching his potential.

Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins
P. Byrd (6-6, 4.31) vs. B. Radke (7-7, 5.13)
Both of these A.L. Central clubs hope to catch either the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Indians because in all likelihood, the A.L. wild card will be coming out of the Central, rather than the East.  As Yogi Berra would say, “Who woulda thunk?”

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Los Angeles Angels
J. Seo (0-2, 2.57) vs. J. Lackey (7-5, 2.88)
Personally, I think Jae Seo got a raw deal with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.  I think both teams just gave up on him too quickly and I hope he can only flourish with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  Even though, Seo is winless, it looks like he will.  But, he just might remain winless after tonight’s game because John Lackey is just so good.