MLB: The Hunt For the Postseason 8-20

AL East

Boston Red Sox
Record: 68-51
GB: 7
Wildcard: 1st place
Opponent: @ Blue Jays (55-63)
Game Time: 7:07 ET
Pitching Matchup: Lester (9-7, 3.71 ERA) VS Cecil (5-1, 4.35 ERA)
Yesterday: The Red Sox beat Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays 6-1.
Notes:
*Tim Wakefield threw a bullpen session before Tuesday's game at Toronto and is not yet healthy enough to return to Boston's starting rotation.
*Former Red Sox, John Smoltz, has signed with the Cardinals

Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 65-54
GB: 10
Wildcard: 3 GB
Opponent: Vs Baltimore Orioles (48-72)
Game Time: 7:08 ET
Pitching Matchup: Matusz (Bal) (1-2, 6.75 ERA) VS Shields (Rays) (7-9, 3.88 ERA)
Yesterday: The Rays beat the O's 3-1, with every run in that game being a solo shot. (BAL: Roberts "11" TAM: Burrell "12", Upton "9", Zobrist "20"
Notes:
*Rays minor leaguer Darin Downs, who was hit by a line drive, was taken out of intensive care on Wednesday.

AL Central

The only Contender playing today are the Detriot Tigers, and there playing a day game.

AL West

LAA Angels
Record: 73-45
GB:-
Wildcard:-
Opponent: @ Cleveland Indians (51-68)
Game Time: 7:05 ET
Pitching Matup:LAA: Lackey (8-5, 3.73 ERA) CLE: Masterson (3-4, 4.70 ERA)
Yesterday: The Angels won 3-0 on a CG shutout from Jered Weaver
Notes:
*Washington quarterback Jake Locker's recently signed contract includes "parameters" for him to participate in the Angels' minor league camp next spring and play in the minor league system.

Texas Rangers
Record: 67-52
GB: 6.5 GB of LAA
Wildcard: 1 GB of BOS
opponent: Minnosota Twins (58-62)
Game Time: 8:05 ET
Pitching matchup: MIN: Swarzak (3-6, 5.87 ERA) TEX: Holland (6-7, 4.88 ERA)
Yesterday: The Twins beat the Rangers 5-4
Notes:
*Pudge went 3 for 4 wit ha double and an RBI

NL East

Philadapia Phillies
Record: 68-49
GB:-
Wildcard:-
Opponent: Home against the Diamondbacks (54-67)
Game Time: 7:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: ARI: Davis (7-10, 3.59 ERA) PHI: Blanton (7-6, 3.88 ERA)
Yesterday: The Phillies won 8-1 on a Cliff Lee CG 2-hitter
Notes:
*Joe Blanton has quietly been the Phillies' most effective pitcher since the beginning of July.

Atlanta Braves
Record:63-57
GB: 6.5 behind the Phillies
Wildcard: 4 behind th Rockies
Opponent: @ Mets (55-64)
Game Time: 7:10 ET
Pitching Matchup: ATL: Kawakami (5-9, 4.13 ERA) NYM: Santana (13-8, 3.10 ERA)
Yesterday: The Braves pounded the Mets 15-2, that's started with an 8 run 2nd inning.
Notes:
*Braves center fielder Nate McLouth is headed to the disabled list with a sore left hamstring.

Florida Marlins
Record: 64-56
GB: 5.5 behind the Phillies
Wildcard: 3 behind the Rockies
Opponent: @ Houston (58-62)
Game Time: 8:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: FLA: Johnson (12-2, 2.85 ERA) HOU: Rodriguez (11-7, 3.05 ERA)
Yesterday: The Astros beat the Marlins 6-3

NL Central

The Cardinals have a 6 game lead over the second place Cubs. While the Cubs are 5 games out of the wildcard, we'll see if there contenders or pretenders in the next 4 games at Dodger Stadium.

----UPDATE: Post finished by Cubbiefan07 at 5 CT.
St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 69-53
GB: First
WC: -
Opponent: @SD (51-71)
Game Time: 10:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Pineiro (11-9, 3.25 ERA) VS Stauffer (1-5, 3.50 ERA)
Yesterday: The Cardinals won 3-2 on a 9th inning sac fly by Matt Holliday to give the Cards the lead against the Dodgers.
Notes:
* Mitchell Boggs was sent out yesterday to make room for Smoltz.
* John Smoltz will be in the Cardinals rotation and start on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs
Record: 61-57
GB: 6
WC: 5th place, 5 game back of the Rockies
Opponent: @LAD (71-50)
Game Time: 10:10 ET
Pitching Matchup: Gorzelanny (5-2, 5.24 ERA) VS Weaver (5-4, 3.71 ERA)
Yesterday: The Cubs managed a win in San Diego to avoid being swept.
Notes:
* Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano will rehab tonight with Class A Peoria.
* Sunday's game against the Pirates that was rained out will be made up on September 20 as part of a day night twin bill.

NL West

Colorado Rockies
Record: 67-53
GB: 3.5
WC: First Place
Opponent: @Wash (43-77)
Game Time: 7:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Hammel (7-7, 4.73 ERA) VS Mock (2-4, 5.27 ERA).
Yesterday: Barmes had a solo homer in the Rockies win. Tonight they are looking to sweep the Nats.
Notes:
* The Rockies are trying not to look past the Nationals, teams fighting for spots must beat the losing clubs.
* Mark Hedrickson has cleared waivers. The Rockies were interested in him before the trade deadline.

SF Giants: Lost in 10 innings today in the only NL day game against the Reds by a score of 3-2. Going into tonight's games they are 5 back in the NL West and 1.5 back of Colorado in the Wild Card going into tonight's games with today's loss.

LA Dodgers
Record 71-50
GB: First
WC: -
Opponent: VS CHC (61-57)
Pitching Matchup: Gorelanny VS Weaver
Yesterday: Lost 3-2 to St. Louis to lose 2 of 3.
Notes:
* Hiroki Kuroda was placed on the DL yesterday.
* Vicente Padilla is expected to start and make his Dodger debut on Thursday in Colorado.
* Yesterday's loss was the Dodger 5th straight series loss to the Cardinals, and their 4th straight "L" in one run games.

We will update if any news breaks or anything of interests occurs in tonight's games!