On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups
Boston Red Sox (72-48) vs. Los Angeles Angels (70-49)-7:05PM Est.
This is actually the second game of a double header-the first game being at 1:05PM eastern-but the more interesting pitching matchup takes place in the night cap. Neither team has been playing up to their own expectations as of late, but they still have the two best records in the American League. Josh Beckett will take to the mound for the Red Sox looking to become the first pitcher in baseball to reach 16 wins. If he's going to do it, the Red Sox will have to win Game 1 as John Lackey will also look for his 16th win this afternoon. More important than Beckett's win total is the distance between the Red Sox and Yankees. The Red Sox have seen their lead shrink to 5.5 games, but the Yankees have lost three in a row and Boston would like to capitalize on it. For the Angels, tonight's game marks the return of Ervin Santana from purgatory (also known as the minor leagues). I'm not sure why the Angels would want to bring Santana back in this game, after all, he's terrible on the road. In three starts against the Red Sox, Santana is 1-2 with a 7.47 ERA. In 11 road starts this season, he's 1-9 with an 8.79 ERA. In other words, the Angels are really counting on John Lackey to handle game one.
Chicago Cubs (61-59) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (58-60)-2:20PM Est.
One of baseball's best rivalries begins it's newest chapter this afternoon at Wrigley Field. Also, as is rarely the case, it means something this time around. The Cardinals are red hot right now, just finishing a sweep of the Brewers in Milwaukee, and they're looking to do the same thing with the Cubs. They're only 2.5 games out of first place, and two games behind Chicago. Of course, they'll be facing a team that's got a whole lot of emotional momentum going into this afternoon's contest. It seems the feelings of doom on the north side of Chicago have done a complete 180. A seven-run explosion in the 7th inning of yesterday's Cubs win seems to have woken the Cubs bats up, and then there's the windfall of Carlos Zambrano's contract extension this morning. Games between these two teams always have a playoff atmosphere surrounding them, and this weekend's series may take it to a whole other level. Rich Hill (6-7, 3.85) starts for the Cubs, and Braden Looper (10-9, 5.08) gets the nod for the Redbirds.
San Diego Padres (65-55) vs. Houston Astros (54-67)-10:05PM Est.
The unstoppable force that is Jake Peavy takes the mound again for the Padres looking to win his fifth straight start for the first time in his career. In his last four starts, Jake has gone 4-0 with a 1.01 ERA to further solidify his candidacy for the National League Cy Young award. More important than any postseason awards, Peavy also wants to help the Padres catch the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. Going for the Astros this evening is Woody Williams, who helped pick up the slack for Peavy last season in San Diego. This season Williams is having the worst year of his career. He's 6-12 with a 5.09 ERA, but has pitched well lately. In his last two starts, Woody is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. In his career against San Diego, he's 4-1 with a 3.08 ERA.
