Baseball Tonight 7-24-06

Cuz in baseball, there is no Case of the Mondays.

• Texas Rangers (51-48 2nd AL West Kevin Millwood 10-5 4.61) vs. New York Yankees (56-40 2nd AL East Randy Johnson 10-8 4.88)-The Yankees are actually considering trading Alex Rodriguez right now. I don't think they'll do it during the season, but offseason I wouldn't be surprised at all. Yankee fans are booing him constantly, and it's obviously affecting him. He's struggling at the plate and has committed five errors in his last five games. Unfortunately for Alex, he won't escape the boos tonight either, as he returns to Arlington to face his former team, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers just took 2 of 3 from the White Sox, and trail the first place Athletics by a half game in the AL West. The Yankees just lost 3 of 4 in Toronto, and have seemingly lost all the momentum they picked up when they won the first 5 games after the All-Star break. The Rangers send Kevin Millwood to the mound, where he has struggled at home this year. He has a 6.59ERA at home this season. Randy Johnson has started to turn around his shaky first half with 6 quality starts in his last 7 games. I'm going to take the Yankees tonight. (TV-ESPN 7:05PM Est)
• Chicago White Sox( 59-38 2nd AL Central Javier Vazquez 9-5 5.20) vs. Minnesota Twins (56-41 3rd AL Central Brad Radke 8-7 4.83)-My, how things have changed. Two months ago the Twins were written off for dead. But 9-1 since the All Star break, the Twins come to town just 3 games behind the White Sox for the AL Wild Card lead. They send Brad Radke to the mound tonight. Radke just announced that this would be his final season, and has been very good as of late. He's 4-0 with a 2.67ERA in his last 7 starts. The White Sox outscored the Twins 23-6 in a three game sweep the last time these two teams played at US Cellular. Don't look for that to happen this time around. The Sox counter with Javier Vazquez, the bane of White Sox fans' existence. He's allowed at least 5 runs in his last 4 starts, yet has only lost one of those games (last week at Detroit). Still, Brad Radke hasn't won a road start since April 5th and is 1-5 with a 6.52ERA on the road. While common sense tells me to take the Twins, the fact Radke struggles on the road, and that I will be at the game tonight (the Sox tend to win games I attend), I'm crossing my fingers and taking the White Sox. Hopefully Ozzie takes Javy out of the game before he blows up. Hopefully. (TV-Local 8:05PM Est.)
• Oakland Athletics (51-47 1st AL West Barry Zito 10-6 3.20) vs. Boston Red Sox (59-38 1st AL East Josh Beckett 12-5 4.78)-The A's just took 3 of 4 from Boston last week at Fenway, outscoring them 28-15. That series also included the A's roughing up Josh Beckett for 7 runs in 4.1IP. It was Beckett's first home loss of the season. On the road this season Beckett has been awful. He's allowed 22 home runs and has a 6.33ERA. Just like when the A's beat Beckett last week, they send Barry Zito to the mound tonight. He hasn't given up more than 3 runs in his last 7 starts. Still he's 0-2 in his last 2 home starts, since the Oakland lineup only scored 1 run total in those two games. I have a feeling Beckett will help them in that department. I'm taking the Athletics. (TV-Local 10:05PM Est)

Last Night:2-1 (Wins-Minnesota, Atlanta Loss-Tampa Bay)

Season: 11-7

What Else Is On?

• High Stakes Poker (9PM Est-Game Show Network)-If you enjoy playing the game, this is a fun show to watch. You get to see actual poker being played, not just the All-in fest that tournaments tend to become.
• Chargers Cheerleaders (8PM Est-NFL Network)-See the process involved in becoming a San Diego Charger Cheerleader. Admire all the, um, hard work these girls put into their craft.
• A Bronx Tale (6:30PM Est-Bravo)-I love this movie.