The Cardinals and Phillies are each fighting for a playoff spot as the Cardinals visit the Phillies. Joel Pineiro faces Cole Hamels. Pineiro has allowed six of his eight home runs on the road, not a pleasant thought as he faces the Phillies heart of the order at CBP. Hamels remains on a roll, posting a 2.31 ERA in his last six starts. Eight of the twelve runs he allowed came on home runs.

The Yankees always seem to be playing a series they need to sweep, and never seem to accomplish the feat. They open a two-game set with the Rays, 8 1/2 games out of first place. In a battle of lefties, Scott Kazmir takes on Andy Pettitte. The improved Rays defense can be seen in Kazmir's hits per 9. In 2007, he allowed 8.5 H/9. This season it's down to 6.6 H/9. Pettitte's ERA at home this season is about 1.5 runs higher than on the road, despite his other stats being about equal. His home runs allowed at Yankee Stadium tend to come with men on, while on the road they tend to come with the bases empty.

The Minnesota Boston series continues with another good pitching matchup as Nick Blackburn battles Jon Lester. After a rough June, Blackburn started July with seven shutout innings. Lester did him a couple better with a shutout of the Yankees his last time out.

Of course, the biggest game tonight is the premier of CC Sabathia in Milwaukee. My latest SportingNews.com column pegs his contribution for the rest of the season at an increase of two wins for the Brewers. He gets a good shot at winning his first start as Mark Redman takes the mound for Colorado. Mark owns a 7.05 ERA this season, but pitched well against the Marlins in his return from AAA.

Enjoy!

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