On Deck is The FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups
Texas Rangers (29-44) vs. Houston Astros (31-42)-FOX 3:55PM Est.
People of the great state of Texas, I feel your pain. I too know what it's like to have a series between two state rivals that means nothing to anybody else, mean everything to you. The Rangers and the Astros meet again this afternoon as they fight over which Texas team sucks the least. It's not really a prize worth going for, but as baseball fans we all need something to cling to. It's a long season, and if we didn't have such insignificant victories, none of us would make it through. This series is just something to hold you over until the Dillon Panthers prepare to defend their state title this fall. Roy Oswalt starts for the Astros, and at least he's still as awesome as ever. He'll be facing Jamey Wright who is just about the opposite of Oswalt.
San Francisco Giants (30-42) vs. New York Yankees (36-35)-FOX 3:55PM Est.
The Giants are in a freefall, losers of their last eight games. Today they'll be facing a pitcher who's won his last four starts. Add those two together, and it doesn't seem that the Giants have much of a chance this afternoon. Of course, at this point in the season the only reason Giants fans are watching is to see Bonds catch Aaron. I wouldn't count on seeing him get any closer today though. Chien-Ming Wang gives up less homers per nine innings over the last two seasons than just about anybody thanks to his sinker. So if Bonds catches up to one and parks it in the bay, he'll truly have earned it.
San Diego Padres (41-31) vs. Boston Red Sox (47-25)-10:05PM Est.
Please tell me that the Padres won't be wearing their throwback jerseys again tonight. I can't stand those things, and they ruined what otherwise would have been a great pitcher's duel to watch last night. Other than those jerseys though, this is a good series to keep your eye on. Come October, I don't think any of us would be too surprised to see these guys meeting in the World Series. Chris Young starts for the Padres this evening, and it's his first start since he and Derrek Lee swung and missed at each other last week in Chicago. In two career starts against Boston, Young is 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA. He'll be going against Tim Wakefield and his dancing curveball tonight.
