New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
S. Trachsel (8-4, 4.67) vs. G. Maddux (7-9, 4.89)
The Mets will look to build upon their first-half success and continue to run away with the N.L. East.  However, the expected return of ace pitcher, Pedro Martinez, has been delayed further.  The Cubs just want to win games, as well as Greg Maddux, who may be traded before the July 31 trade deadline to a contender.

Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates
R. Ortiz (6-7, 4.85) vs. Z. Duke (5-8, 5.17)
Kudos to the Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden.  I don’t know how you did it, but you were able to steal away Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Ryan Wagner for a few bullpen arms, a prospect, and Royce Clayton.  I’m betting the devil can’t wait to have your soul. 

Colorado Rockies @ Cincinnati Reds
J. Jennings (6-6, 3.67) vs. A. Harang (9-6, 3.70)
Aaron Harang is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, and he’s getting it done pitching half his games at a cigar box of a home stadium.  Let’s see if he can shut down a very good young Rockies offense.  To be honest with you, I think this series is just going to be a slugfest.

Houston Astros @ Florida Marlins
R. Clemens (1-2, 2.82) vs. A. Sanchez (1-0, 6.60)
Roger Clemens has pitched very well since his comeback and is looking just as good as he did last season.  He should be strong for the stretch run, for which the Astros acquired much needed lefty power in Aubrey Huff, who homered in his debut last night.  Meanwhile the upstart Marlins look to make it interesting in the N.L. East, no matter how farfetched that might be.

Los Angeles Dodgers @ St. Louis Cardinals
D. Lowe (7-5, 3.88) vs. C. Carpenter (7-4, 3.08)
Once again, Albert Pujols comes through.  Last night in the bottom of the 14th, Pujols hit a walk-off homer off of Odalis Perez for a Cardinals victory.  The man is a machine. 

Milwaukee Brewers @ Arizona Diamondbacks
D. Davis (5-6, 4.95) vs. M. Batista (8-5, 5.01)
Doug Davis hasn’t really shown the stuff we all know he has, as the past couple of seasons have indicated.  His upward trend is definitely starting to level off, but that won’t be good enough for a Brewers team with aspirations of making the playoffs.  Meanwhile, Miguel Batista is finding moderate success… okay, he’s been able to win a lot of games, but his secondary numbers aren’t anything to write home about.

Atlanta Braves @ San Diego Padres
T. Hudson (6-8, 4.56) vs. C. Young (8-4, 3.12)
Can one ever really count out the Atlanta Braves?  I know it’s a ridiculous amount of games for anyone to catch the Mets in the N.L. East, but stranger things have happened.  Tim Hudson takes the hill for the Braves and hopes to turn things around for the team in the second-half of the season.  However, the Braves hitters will be facing an improved and very solid pitcher in Chris Young who has been everything and more for the Padres.

Philadelphia Phillies @ San Francisco Giants
J. Lieber (3-6, 5.47) vs. M. Morris (7-7, 4.29)
The Phillies team is in such disarray, I’m surprised they’re even in second place in the N.L. East.  There are rampant rumors that the Phils will soon be having a fire sale, notably sending off Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, and Tom Gordon.  Meanwhile, Matt Morris has been on fire in the past month.  I’d expect he’d continue to be so in tonight’s matchup.