There are a number of good divisional matchups today, but the best pit teams tied for first place against each other. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox meet for the first time this season, and people seemed more concerned about how the fans are going to react to Johnny Damon than any damage Damon might do to the Red Sox. He's off to a good start with a .300 BA, 400 OBA and .500 slugging percentage, all you could want from a leadoff hitter. He's also played well as a visitor at Fenway, although he's never homered there in an away uniform. With Wakefield on the mound for the Red Sox tonight, keep an eye on the passed balls by Josh Bard. He's on a record setting pace.

The Cardinals and Reds are tied for first place in the NL Central and bump heads in Cincinnati tonight. The Reds are playing long ball (36 home runs, 2nd in the NL) and small ball (23 for 27 in stolen base attempts) well. They're also winning the close ones with a 6-2 record in one run games. The Cardinals send Mark Mulder to the mound to try to stop that offense. St. Louis boasts a 3.35 ERA, second in the NL. We'll find out tonight if good pitching stops good hitting on both sides, as Reds ace Bronson Arroyo takes the hill for Cincinnati. Cardinals Diaspora writes a colorful post on this game and the series.

Plenty of other good action as Cleveland welcomes back Jim Thome and the Chicago White Sox to Jacobs Field, Toronto and Baltimore vie to stay close in the AL East, and Houston travels to Milwaukee in an important NL Central matchup.

Enjoy!