The Giants are closing on the Padres and extending their lead in the wild card as they face the Rockies in Colorado. Madison Bumgarner takes on Ubaldo Jimenez. Bumgarner is off to a great start as a rookie, his only weakness at the moment is giving up home runs at a slightly high rate. After a horrible start against Philadelphia, Jimenez turned things around with a fine start against Pittsburgh. He goes for his 17th win of the season. He’s yet to lose at Coors Field, with a 3.26 ERA at the hitter’s haven.

Edwin Jackson makes his White Sox debut against Armando Galarraga and his old team, the Detroit Tigers. Jackson was wild this season compared to his year in Detroit, and hits allowed crossed the one per inning barrier in the wrong direction. He’s 9-3 in his career at Comerica Park. Galarraga has allowed a lot of his since his perfect game that wasn’t. His low walk rate is hurt by a low K rate which leads to more hits, and more home runs.

David Price tries to give Tampa Bay three wins in the Twins/Rays four game series as he takes on Scott Baker. Baker’s FIP is a full run lower than his ERA, and I suspect it has to do with the high line drive rate he allows. It seems when Baker makes a mistake, batters hit it hard. Price turned in a quality start in eight of his last 11 games.

Finally, J.A. Happ makes his second start for the red hot Astros, winners of seven in a row. They’ll face a tough challenge in the person of Chris Carpenter. Happ threw six shutout innings in his Houston debut. He was a bit wild, walking six, but held Milwaukee to just two hits. Carpenter has been hot since the All-Star break, with a 1.45 ERA in four starts, striking out 20 and walking just five.

Enjoy!

(I’ll also mention that Price and Doug Fister are back on rotation, and I hope that lasts until the Rays and Mariners meet at the end of September.)