The Tampa Bay/Cleveland game matches up two interesting young pitchers. Andy Sonnanstine takes the hill for the Devil Rays. He's posted a pretty impressive strikeout to walk ratio so far. In 32 1/3 innings, Andy struck out 27 and walked just three. In general, I'd think someone with those numbers was having a pretty good year. But Sonnanstine allowed seven home runs, and he's getting pounded by left-handed batters. Carmona strikes out a batter only every other inning. He's given up seven of his ten home runs allowed with men on base.

The McLaren era starts in Seattle with the Mariners facing their old teammate Gil Meche in Kansas City. Gil made the All-Star team with his 3.28 ERA, due in part to his success against left-handers. Felix Hernandez is still working his way back to being a dominant starter. If McLaren can get him back on track it will have been worth the managerial move.

Lefties battle in Chicago as Erik Bedard faces Mark Buehrle in what may be his last start in a White Sox uniform. Bedard's improved his ERA for the fourth straight season and deserves better than his 6-4 record. Buehrle is coming off a June in which he posted a 2.75 ERA but only a 3-2 won-loss record. He walked just six in 36 June innings.

Finally, the Braves visit the Dodgers with John Smoltz facing Derek Lowe. The Braves are four games behind the Mets in the NL East but only three games behind the Dodgers for the Wild Card. Smoltz struck out 25 and walked just 2 in the month of June, although he never pitched past the sixth inning. Lowe is another starter tonight with a good ERA but a poor record. At home this season he sports a 2.34 ERA but just a 3-2 record in six starts. Maybe the Dodger should work the rotation so he pitches in LA a little more often.

Enjoy!