On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups
Los Angeles Angels (12-9) at Boston Red Sox (15-7)- 7:05 PM ET
I swear these teams have met like 100 years in a row in the playoffs (OK, it's like twice, or three times, I can't remember), which makes this regular season match up all the more interesting. Well, that and most of the other games tonight are crap.
Tonight's game is interesting because of the pitching matchup between Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Garland. Dice-K's cruising so far at 4-0 with 28 strikeouts in 28 and 2/3 innings and a 3.14 ERA. It makes me wish I told more people about my pre-season premonition that he was going to break out and challenge for the Cy Young this year, but what can I say, I don't like it when people laugh at me. Garland was the Angels big off-season acquisition and with all eyes turned towards him in hopes that he could step up in the absence of Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey, he's been pretty bad, turning in a 4.81 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. The Angels will need him to step it up if they want to avoid the ignominy of losing the division to a team that traded away it's best hitter and pitcher in the off-season.
St. Louis Cardinals (13-8) at Pittsburgh Pirates (8-12)- 7:05 PM ET
I'm mentioning this game for one reason, and it's not that I'm contractually obligated to mention the Pirates at least once in every On Deck post that I do (though I damn sure do try). Yesterday in the Cardinals/Brewers 14 inning affair, Tony La Russa ran out of bench players and was forced to move Albert Pujols to second base towards the end of the game. Now, Pujols has some history at third and so the move might not be so surprising, until you remember that Pujols has a high grade tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. And La Russa just moved him to a position that potentially requires him to throw the ball. The Cards' surprising 13-8 start can be described as tenuous at best. Without Pujols, there's no hope of keeping that start up. La Russa seems bound and determined to join buddy Walt Jocketty in Cincinnati.
There's also an interesting pitching matchup in this one, as April mirage Todd Wellenmeyer faces off against Pittsburgh's resident crazy person, Ian Snell. Wellenmeyer seems due for some kind of relapse and Snell seems to either get better or crazier when the Pirates play poorly, and they just snapped a 6 game losing skid last night. Keep an eye on this one, which will probably either feature a well-pitched game or shenanigans.
Texas Rangers (7-14) at Detroit Tigers (8-13)- 7:05 PM ET
This one gets a mention for one reason: it's hilarious to non-biased observers when terrible defensive players try to learn a new position and that's what's happening tonight when Miguel Cabrera moves to first base. The move from third base to first base doesn't seem like it should be a difficult one, but for a player that's generally lazy in the field, anything can be an adventure. Placido Polanco should be happy that his errorless streak ended already, but I have a feeling it wouldn't be long for this world with Miggy trying to scoop balls out of the dirt at first.
Seriously, though, how much of a disaster has this April been to the Tigers? Their franchise third baseman has suddenly been downgraded to a franchise first baseman, where his value diminishes at least a little bit (note: I'm not saying Cabrera's not valuable at first base, just less so than he would be at third), and they've got a gimpy kneed ex-shortstop (Carlos Guillen) suddenly manning third. Throw in their 8-13 record and maybe a series against the Rangers is just what the doctor ordered.
Everyone else
Mets @ Nationals- 7:10 PM
Marlins @ Braves- 7:10 PM
Astros @ Reds- 7:10 PM
Blue Jays @ Rays- 7:10 PM
Phillies @ Brewers- 8:05 PM
Indians @ Royals- 8:10 PM
Yankees @ White Sox- 8:11 PM
Cubs @ Rockies- 8:35 PM
Twins @ A's- 10:05 PM
Giants @ Padres- 10:05 PM
Orioles @ Mariners- 10:10 PM
Diamondbacks @ Dodgers- 10:10 PM
