The odds look good for the Athletics sweeping the Rangers today. Rich Harden takes his 2.11 ERA to the mound against Chan Ho Park's 5.33. As I watch the Rangers free fall, I wonder how long Showalter and Hershiser will last. They have failed to add to last year's improvement. A loss to Oakland today pretty much buries them in both the AL West and Wild Card races. I haven't heard Buck's name on the list of managers on the hot seat, but since the break they've lost 6 of 7 to Oakland and 2 of 3 to the Yankees, two teams they needed to beat in the wild card race. That kid of performance should certainly put the manager's job on the line.

The Cubs and Cardinals play the rubber game of their series in stunning high definition this evening on ESPN. It's Prior vs. Suppan on the mound and Lee, Burnitz and Ramirez vs. Pujols, Edmonds and Walker at the plate. Since June 1, Ramirez and Lee each have 16 home runs and have combined to drive in 80.

Enjoy!

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