Interleague games being played in National League ballparks:

Chicago White Sox @ Pittsburgh Pirates
F. García (9-4, 4.66) vs. P. Maholm (2-6, 4.90)
Freddy Garcia looks to stay perfect against the N.L. this season, having already won three games, giving up four runs in 24.0 innings of work.  In his last outing, he won a pitching duel with young pitching prospect, St. Louis Cardinals Anthony Reyes.  Garcia gets to match up against another prospect in Paul Maholm.  Thanks to a robust White Sox offense, Garcia should win this matchup as well.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Florida Marlins
C. Fossum (2-3, 5.25) vs. S. Olsen (6-3, 4.60)
The Battle for Florida state continues as the D-Rays, representing the geriatric part of the state, face the Marlins, representing the beautiful people part of the F-L-A.  Both teams are basically out of the race for their respective divisions, but both are so loaded with young talent, if management plays it right, that could all change in the coming seasons.  In the meantime, enjoy the killer Casey Fossum/Scott Olsen pitching contest.

Kansas City Royals @ Cincinnati Reds
S. Elarton (3-8, 4.87) vs. A. Harang (8-5, 3.59)
The Reds are hanging with the N.L. Central leading St. Louis Cardinals, only 1.5 games back.  Unfortuantely, it hasn’t been because the Reds have played particularly well, as they’re 4-6 in their last 10 games; it’s because the Cardinals have tanked in their last ten, going 2-8.  With an injury to Mark Mulder, the Reds can make a move.  In the forefront of that moment should be Aaron Harang who continues to build on last season’s breakout performance.  In essence, the Royals are just plain bad.  However, in Great American Ballpark, the offense can really boost up their offensive production.  Then again, so can the Reds.

Cleveland Indians @ St. Louis Cardinals
J. Westbrook (6-4, 4.36) vs. C. Carpenter (6-4, 2.97)
One of the saving graces on the Cardinals pitching staff, if the only one, is how well and consistent Chris Carpenter has been when he takes the mound.  Rookie Anthony Reyes has the potential to be the second-best pitcher on the staff, but the other guys need to step up.  Carpenter takes the mound tonight attempting to stop a nine-game losing streaking from happening.

Seattle Mariners @ Arizona Diamondbacks
F. Hernández (7-7, 5.10) vs. É. González (0-1, 6.00)
Before his last start when he lost, “King” Felix Hernandez was turning around his season with four straight wins.  He’ll not only try to bounce back, but get the Mariners above .500 for the first time since the first week of the season.  However, it’ll be a tough order because balls are launching in Chase Field and will probably continue if last night’s Mariners’ 11-7 win is an indicator.  Hernandez will need to keep the ball down to succeed.

Oakland Athletics @ San Diego Padres
J. Blanton (7-6, 4.67) vs. C. Hensley (4-6, 4.38)
As the three regular readers know, I’m loving Joe Blanton.  In his part three starts, Blanton is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA.  The boy is just percolating.  Look for an extended run of success for my boy.  And pitching at Petco Field can only help Blanton tonight as the dimensions there favor pitchers.

Texas Rangers @ San Francisco Giants
J. Rheinecker (3-1, 3.57) vs. N. Lowry (2-5, 4.23)
The Rangers are losers of three straight and hope rookie John Rheinecker will stem the tide and stop the Rangers from dropping anymore in the standings.  They’re only 1.5 back, but the Seattle Mariners are right behind them and surging.  As for the Giants, they’re only 2.0 games behind in the N.L. West division in a tight division.

And the one National League game:

Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs
D. Bush (5-6, 4.64) vs. C. Marmol (1-2, 4.98)
This is all you need to know about these teams.  The Brewers have a chance to do some good things in their division, while the Cubbies (and it pains me to say this) have almost ZERO chance to.  They are just so bad, but maybe the offense can get a boost from a healthy Derrek Lee.  If you want to talk health and chances, Mark Prior will need to stay healthy, pitch the way he’s capable of and he can anchor that staff and give the Cubbie a chance to get back into the race.

Enjoy the games!