MLB Hunt for the Postseason: 8-21

AL East

NY Yankees
Record: 76-45
GB: First Place
WC: -
Opponent: @ Red Sox
Start Time: 7:10 ET
Pitching Machup: Pettitte (9-6, 4.09 ERA) VS Penny (7-7, 5.22 ERA)
Yesterday: Off Day
Notes:
* A big series for both teams this weekend.
*Derek Jeter was asked if you could see himself as a DH 6 year from now (at the age of 41) and said, "You'll see me at short still."
* The Yankees fished a stretch of 33 games in 34 days in Oakland on Wednesday.

Boston Red Sox:
Record: 69-51
GB: 6.5
WC: First
Opponent: VS NYY
Game Time/Pitching Matchup: Listed above
Yesterday: Beat the Blue Jays 8-1
Notes:
* Today the Red Sox made a series of roster moves:
-Rocco Baldeilli activated
- Mike Bowden called up from AAA
-Brian Anderson sent back to AAA Pawtucket
- Fernando Cabrera was DFA

Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 65-55
GB: 10.5
WC: 3rd place, 4 games back of Boston
Opponent: VS Tex
Game Time: 7:38 ET
Pitching Matchup: Nippert (4-1, 3.52 ERA) VS Kazmir (7-7, 6.36 ERA)
Yesterday: Lost to Baltimore 8-7.
Notes:
* The Rays are looking to bring defense and intensity the rest of the way. They are still very much alive in the Wild Card race.
*Carlos Pena is back in the lineup at first base tonight for the Rays.

AL Central

Detriot Tigers
Record: 64-56
GB: First Place
WC: -
Opponent: @Oak
Game Time: 10:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Jackson (9-5, 2.85 ERA) VS Gonzalez (4-3, 5.88 ERA)
Yesterday: Beat Seattle 7-6
Notes:
* Dontrelle Willis is still out with soreness in his right hip that occurred in his rehab start on Wednesday.
* The Orioles claimed Chris Lambert off waivers from the Tigers yesterday.

Chicago White Sox
Record: 62-59
GB: 2.5
WC: 7.5 back of Boston
Opponent: VS BAL
Game Time: 8:11 ET
Pitching Matchup: Guthrie (7-12, 5.66 ERA) VS Floyd (10-7, 3.94 ERA).
Yesterday: had an off day
Notes:
* Kenny Williams, the White Sox GM, is happy with his team.
* Jake Peavy will make at least 2 more rehab starts before his return.

AL West

LA Angels
Record: 73-46
GB: First place
WC: -
Opponent: @TOR
Game Time: 7:07 ET
Pitching Matchup: O'Sullivan (3-1, 5.91 ERA) VS Rzepczynski (1-3, 3.98 ERA)
Yesterday: Lost 11-3 to the Indians
Notes:
* Torii Hunter is regaining strength in his right adductor muscle, and will sit out tonight. He also sat out last night's contest against the Tribe.
* Check out the top 50 greatest moments in Angels Baseball.

Texas Rangers
Record: 68-52
GB: 5.5
WC: 2nd place, 1 game back
Opponent: @TB
Game Time: 7:38 ET
Pitching Matchup: Nipper VS Kazmir
Yesterday: Rangers win 11-1 over Twins
Notes:
* The Rangers current stealing bases success rate of 85.1% is the second highest since 1975.
*Opponents are hitting just .183 off C.J. Wilson since the all star break.
* Young has a 22 game hit streak at home, 1 short of the club record.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 69-49
GB: First
WC: -
Opponent: @NYM
Game Time: 7:10 ET
Pitching Matchup: Hamels (7-7, 4.69 ERA) VS Pelfrey (8-8, 4.75 ERA)
Yesterday: Crushed Arizona 12-3 to sweep the series
Notes:
* Raul Ibanez has been struggling with his timing.
* Jose Velandia is a player-coach for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Read more.

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 70-53
GB: First place
WC: -
Opponent: @SD
Game Time: 10:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Lohse (5-7, 4.58 ERA) VS Richard (6-3, 4.66 ERA)
Yesterday: Picked up a 5-1 win in game one against the Padres.
Notes:
* Yesterday Jamie Garcia was activated from the DL and sent to AAA.
* Smotlz was officially added to the roster, Mitchell Boggs was optioned yesterday.

Chicago Cubs
Record: 61-58
GB: 7
WC: 5th place, 6 back of Colorado
Game Time: 10:10 ET
Pitching Matchup: Wells (9-5, 3.01 ERA) VS Wolf (7-6, 3.43 ERA)
Yesterday: Dodger took game 1 by a score of 7-2.
Notes:
* The Rickets Family has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Chicago Cubs.
* Carlos Zambrano is in line to return to the Cubs rotation on Tuesday.

NL West

LA Dodgers
Record: 72-50
GB: First
WC: -
Opponent: VS Cubs
Pitching Matchup/Game Time/Yesterday: Listed above
Notes:
* The Dodgers are 2 games ahead of the Phillies for the best record in the National League.
* With the win last night, LA now leads the all time series with the Cubs, they are 1,015-1,014.

Colorado Rockies
Record: 68-53
GB: 3.5
WC: Leaders
Opponent: VS Giants
Game Time: 9:10 ET
Pitching Matchup: Sanchez (5-10, 4.49 ERA) VS Cook (10-5, 4.31 ERA)
Yesterday: The Rockies beat the Nationals 4-1 to sweep the series.
Notes:
* A big series for both clubs because the Rockies lead the by just 2 games in the Wild Card.

It will be an interesting weekend in Boston, Colorado, and Tampa Bay especially!