The best pitching matchup of the day asks the political question, "Can Kennedy carry Maine?" The Patriarch faces one of the Mets best young pitchers as Joe Kennedy faces John Maine. Maine has allowed a meager .178 batting average with runners in scoring position this season. Kennedy posts a good ERA despite walking more batters than he strikes out.

The best bet for a slugfest takes place in Tampa Bay. Edwin Jackson is getting into rare territory as he approaches an 0-9 record. With a 7.85 ERA, and that measure getting worse every month, it's just a matter of time before he finds himself in the minor leagues. Only eleven pitchers have finished a season 0-9 or worse. The last was Edgar Gonzalez in 2004. Hong-Chih Kuo comes in with a 6.65 ERA in just six appearances. He's allowed 36 base runners in 21 2/3 innings.

Enjoy!

Update: Apologies. Somehow I missed Beckett vs. Peavy when I ran through the game earlier. That game could easily see each pitcher go eight innings without allowing a run.