<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left"></td> <td align="right">
Coors Field | 3:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ryan Sadowski, RHP (2-2, 4.15)
Giants (52-45) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Aaron Cook, RHP (9-3, 3.94)
Rockies (53-44) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Giants: Sadowski might need a strong effort to save his spot in the rotation. After impressing the Giants with six- and seven-inning shutout efforts in his first two starts, he pitched respectably in a July 8 loss to Florida (two earned runs and five hits allowed in five innings), but the 26-year-old rookie was hit hard by the Atlanta Braves last Tuesday as he yielded eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. After walking four batters in 13 innings spanning his first two starts, Sadowski has issued seven free passes -- one intentionally -- over 8 2/3 innings in his last two outings.Rockies: Cook pitched through traffic, giving up eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs, the last of which came after he was relieved for matchup purposes. Overall, though, it was a strong outing. Two of the runs came when center fielder Dexter Fowler misplayed a Justin Upton line drive into a triple.
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Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 3:35 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Anthony Swarzak, RHP (2-3, 4.15)
Twins (48-50) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ervin Santana, RHP (3-5, 6.79)
Angels (58-38) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Twins: Swarzak gets another go-round in the rotation as Kevin Slowey continues to rehab from his strained right wrist injury. Swarzak certainly earned another start after holding the A's to just two runs on four hits over seven innings in his last outing. While Swarzak was having a hard time locating his fastball early in the outing, he made an adjustment to turn to his curveball and gave up just two hits over his final four innings. Swarzak will face the Angels for the first time in his career.Angels: Santana was a little shaky in his last start against the Royals. He last six innings, but allowed five runs on eight hits. He did manage to tie a season-high with seven strikeouts. At times, Santana's breaking pitches looked better than they have all season, but he lacked command and wasn't able to repeat quality pitches. He looked a lot stronger two starts ago on July 16, when he threw eight innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits against Oakland.
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Safeco Field | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Cliff Lee, LHP (6-9, 3.17)
Indians (40-58) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Vargas, LHP (3-3, 3.82)
Mariners (51-46) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Indians: Record aside, Lee, the subject of many trade rumors in advance of the July 31 Trade Deadline, has been on top of his game much of this season and particularly in his last two starts. He's tossed consecutive complete games, with two wins to show for it. He became the first Tribe pitcher to throw consecutive complete games with no walks allowed since CC Sabathia did so in July 2006. Lee's ERA is the lowest among AL pitchers with a losing record, and his 2.79 ERA over the last two years is second in the AL only to Roy Halladay's 2.76 mark.Mariners: There was talk that Brandon Morrow would be recalled to make this start, but it appears as if Jason Vargas will get the ball instead. It would be his first outing since a July 8 start against the Orioles, in which he tossed five scoreless innings but received a no-decision. Vargas has yet to face the Indians in his career.
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Coors Field | 3:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ryan Sadowski, RHP (2-2, 4.15) Giants (52-45) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Aaron Cook, RHP (9-3, 3.94) Rockies (53-44) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Giants: Sadowski might need a strong effort to save his spot in the rotation. After impressing the Giants with six- and seven-inning shutout efforts in his first two starts, he pitched respectably in a July 8 loss to Florida (two earned runs and five hits allowed in five innings), but the 26-year-old rookie was hit hard by the Atlanta Braves last Tuesday as he yielded eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. After walking four batters in 13 innings spanning his first two starts, Sadowski has issued seven free passes -- one intentionally -- over 8 2/3 innings in his last two outings.Rockies: Cook pitched through traffic, giving up eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs, the last of which came after he was relieved for matchup purposes. Overall, though, it was a strong outing. Two of the runs came when center fielder Dexter Fowler misplayed a Justin Upton line drive into a triple.
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Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 3:35 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Anthony Swarzak, RHP (2-3, 4.15) Twins (48-50) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Ervin Santana, RHP (3-5, 6.79) Angels (58-38) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Twins: Swarzak gets another go-round in the rotation as Kevin Slowey continues to rehab from his strained right wrist injury. Swarzak certainly earned another start after holding the A's to just two runs on four hits over seven innings in his last outing. While Swarzak was having a hard time locating his fastball early in the outing, he made an adjustment to turn to his curveball and gave up just two hits over his final four innings. Swarzak will face the Angels for the first time in his career.Angels: Santana was a little shaky in his last start against the Royals. He last six innings, but allowed five runs on eight hits. He did manage to tie a season-high with seven strikeouts. At times, Santana's breaking pitches looked better than they have all season, but he lacked command and wasn't able to repeat quality pitches. He looked a lot stronger two starts ago on July 16, when he threw eight innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits against Oakland.
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Safeco Field | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Cliff Lee, LHP (6-9, 3.17) Indians (40-58) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Vargas, LHP (3-3, 3.82) Mariners (51-46) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Indians: Record aside, Lee, the subject of many trade rumors in advance of the July 31 Trade Deadline, has been on top of his game much of this season and particularly in his last two starts. He's tossed consecutive complete games, with two wins to show for it. He became the first Tribe pitcher to throw consecutive complete games with no walks allowed since CC Sabathia did so in July 2006. Lee's ERA is the lowest among AL pitchers with a losing record, and his 2.79 ERA over the last two years is second in the AL only to Roy Halladay's 2.76 mark.Mariners: There was talk that Brandon Morrow would be recalled to make this start, but it appears as if Jason Vargas will get the ball instead. It would be his first outing since a July 8 start against the Orioles, in which he tossed five scoreless innings but received a no-decision. Vargas has yet to face the Indians in his career.
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Dodger Stadium | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chris Volstad, RHP (7-9, 4.34)
Marlins (50-48) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Schmidt, RHP (1-0, 5.40)
Dodgers (62-35) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Marlins: In the state of California, Volstad is 3-0 in his young big league career. He puts that streak on the line at Dodger Stadium, the site of his first big league start. On July 11, 2008, then 21-years-old, Volstad made his first MLB start a memorable one. He gave up one run in 8 2/3 innings, collecting the win. In his last outing, the right-hander allowed one run in seven innings at San Diego. And on July 8 at San Francisco, the 6-foot-8 right-hander turned in his first complete game shutout, beating the Giants, 7-0. But on May 15 at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, Volstad came up on the losing end to the Dodgers. He gave up four runs in six innings.Dodgers: Schmidt nearly didn't make it out of the first inning in his first start in two years. But he found a way, and once his offense created a lead, Schmidt didn't let it get away. He's not a hard-thrower anymore and he knows it. He doesn't have much margin for error with a fastball that doesn't get to 90 mph, but he's only being asked to be a fifth starter, not the All-Star he once was.
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Chase Field | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Virgil Vasquez, RHP (1-4, 5.54)
Pirates (43-54) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Max Scherzer, RHP (5-6, 3.86)
Diamondbacks (42-56) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Pirates: Vasquez rebounded from a tumultuous outing against the Phillies and pitched a career-long 6 2/3 innings in his first start back after the break. After nitpicking with his pitches too much to be successful earlier this month, Vasquez got back to pounding the zone and went to a three-ball count just once. Of the 29 hitters he faced, he threw two or fewer pitches to 13 of them. Vasquez allowed only two runs, both coming on two-out RBI singles. This will be Vasquez's first career start against Arizona.Diamondbacks: With the All-Star break looming, manager A.J. Hinch saw the perfect opportunity to avoid overusing Max Scherzer by pushing the youngster to the back of the rotation after the break. He wanted to get Scherzer into the 180-innings range by the end of the season. After a 13-day layoff, Scherzer's first start after the break was not a happy one. It was an uneven performance that he labored through. He threw 61 of 95 pitches in the first two innings and yielded four runs on seven hits -- albeit with six strikeouts -- in four innings. He received a no-decision as the Diamondbacks rallied for a 6-5 win. Scherzer said he needs to throw first pitch strikes if he's going to bounce back from this performance.
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Comerica Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Clayton Richard, LHP (3-3, 5.00)
White Sox (50-48) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Rick Porcello, RHP (9-6, 4.40)
Tigers (52-44) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
White Sox: Richard threw a career best eight innings Tuesday against the Rays. He exited the game with a 2-1 lead but didn't earn the win after Bobby Jenks blew his third save of the season in the ninth inning. The one run Richard allowed was the fewest since shutting out the Brewers over five innings on June 20. Richard has made two appearances (one start) against the Tigers this season and has struggled. He's surrendered three runs on seven hits and five walks over five innings of work. Tigers: Porcello showed the rust of nearly two weeks off when he took the mound Tuesday against the Mariners, giving up five runs over as many innings. He allowed nine hits and was inconsistent with his pitches. Sunday should be a much better barometer of his second-half form as he has a chance to get back into a routine between starts before he faces the White Sox for the first time in his career.
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Dodger Stadium | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chris Volstad, RHP (7-9, 4.34) Marlins (50-48) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Jason Schmidt, RHP (1-0, 5.40) Dodgers (62-35) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Marlins: In the state of California, Volstad is 3-0 in his young big league career. He puts that streak on the line at Dodger Stadium, the site of his first big league start. On July 11, 2008, then 21-years-old, Volstad made his first MLB start a memorable one. He gave up one run in 8 2/3 innings, collecting the win. In his last outing, the right-hander allowed one run in seven innings at San Diego. And on July 8 at San Francisco, the 6-foot-8 right-hander turned in his first complete game shutout, beating the Giants, 7-0. But on May 15 at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, Volstad came up on the losing end to the Dodgers. He gave up four runs in six innings.Dodgers: Schmidt nearly didn't make it out of the first inning in his first start in two years. But he found a way, and once his offense created a lead, Schmidt didn't let it get away. He's not a hard-thrower anymore and he knows it. He doesn't have much margin for error with a fastball that doesn't get to 90 mph, but he's only being asked to be a fifth starter, not the All-Star he once was.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
Chase Field | 4:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Virgil Vasquez, RHP (1-4, 5.54) Pirates (43-54) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Max Scherzer, RHP (5-6, 3.86) Diamondbacks (42-56) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Pirates: Vasquez rebounded from a tumultuous outing against the Phillies and pitched a career-long 6 2/3 innings in his first start back after the break. After nitpicking with his pitches too much to be successful earlier this month, Vasquez got back to pounding the zone and went to a three-ball count just once. Of the 29 hitters he faced, he threw two or fewer pitches to 13 of them. Vasquez allowed only two runs, both coming on two-out RBI singles. This will be Vasquez's first career start against Arizona.Diamondbacks: With the All-Star break looming, manager A.J. Hinch saw the perfect opportunity to avoid overusing Max Scherzer by pushing the youngster to the back of the rotation after the break. He wanted to get Scherzer into the 180-innings range by the end of the season. After a 13-day layoff, Scherzer's first start after the break was not a happy one. It was an uneven performance that he labored through. He threw 61 of 95 pitches in the first two innings and yielded four runs on seven hits -- albeit with six strikeouts -- in four innings. He received a no-decision as the Diamondbacks rallied for a 6-5 win. Scherzer said he needs to throw first pitch strikes if he's going to bounce back from this performance.
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<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
Comerica Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Clayton Richard, LHP (3-3, 5.00) White Sox (50-48) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Rick Porcello, RHP (9-6, 4.40) Tigers (52-44) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
White Sox: Richard threw a career best eight innings Tuesday against the Rays. He exited the game with a 2-1 lead but didn't earn the win after Bobby Jenks blew his third save of the season in the ninth inning. The one run Richard allowed was the fewest since shutting out the Brewers over five innings on June 20. Richard has made two appearances (one start) against the Tigers this season and has struggled. He's surrendered three runs on seven hits and five walks over five innings of work. Tigers: Porcello showed the rust of nearly two weeks off when he took the mound Tuesday against the Mariners, giving up five runs over as many innings. He allowed nine hits and was inconsistent with his pitches. Sunday should be a much better barometer of his second-half form as he has a chance to get back into a routine between starts before he faces the White Sox for the first time in his career.
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Heading into the second half, Ryan Sadowski owns a 2-1 record with a 1.00 ERA over 18 innings.
Sadowski got off to a fast start with scoreless outings in his first two big league starts. That buys time for him to prove he can stick around, but be advised: He's a 26-year-old rookie with a Minor League record that offers little to get excited over.
Cook improved to 9-3 Thursday night, scattering eight hits over six innings.
He was a little more aggressive than usual, striking out eight, but part of that is a product of pitching against the Padres. It doesn't appear as though the stomach/back related issues that knocked him out of his last start before the All-Star break are going to be a problem.
Aaron Cook took the no-decision even though he was pounded for five earned runs on nine hits and three walks with three Ks in 5 2/3 frames against the Braves on Thursday.
So much for those five straight wins from June 6-28. Cook has allowed nine hits in back-to-back outings, including six doubles, two triples and a homer during that span. Also disconcerting is the trio of walks Cook issued, the first time he had allowed such a number in eight outings.
Sadowski got off to a fast start with scoreless outings in his first two big league starts. That buys time for him to prove he can stick around, but be advised: He's a 26-year-old rookie with a Minor League record that offers little to get excited over.
Cook improved to 9-3 Thursday night, scattering eight hits over six innings.
He was a little more aggressive than usual, striking out eight, but part of that is a product of pitching against the Padres. It doesn't appear as though the stomach/back related issues that knocked him out of his last start before the All-Star break are going to be a problem.
Aaron Cook took the no-decision even though he was pounded for five earned runs on nine hits and three walks with three Ks in 5 2/3 frames against the Braves on Thursday.
So much for those five straight wins from June 6-28. Cook has allowed nine hits in back-to-back outings, including six doubles, two triples and a homer during that span. Also disconcerting is the trio of walks Cook issued, the first time he had allowed such a number in eight outings.
Ervin Santana was outstanding Thursday in Oakland, allowing just three hits, one earned run and two walks in eight innings of four-strikeout ball to improve to 2-5.
Coming off three consecutive losses and a tumultuous, injury-marred first half, Santana sent a strong message in his first outing since the All-Star break. Granted, the A's aren't exactly tearing the cover off the ball, but it's a significant step in the right direction for the right-hander, who lowered his ERA to 6.70 in 48 2/3 innings.
Swarzak, in Minnesota's starting rotation for the injured Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist), allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings of Tuesday's 3-2, 10-inning win over Oakland. The right-hander has yielded three runs or fewer in five of his seven starts.
Coming off three consecutive losses and a tumultuous, injury-marred first half, Santana sent a strong message in his first outing since the All-Star break. Granted, the A's aren't exactly tearing the cover off the ball, but it's a significant step in the right direction for the right-hander, who lowered his ERA to 6.70 in 48 2/3 innings.
Swarzak, in Minnesota's starting rotation for the injured Kevin Slowey (strained right wrist), allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings of Tuesday's 3-2, 10-inning win over Oakland. The right-hander has yielded three runs or fewer in five of his seven starts.
Vasquez held the Brewers to two runs on nine hits, walked none and struck out four on Tuesday.
Though Vasquez has limited upside, he certainly improved upon his last start when he did not make it out of the second inning. He has been a victim of bad run support, which is why he has just one win.
Max Scherzer lasted just four innings in a no-decision Tuesday, getting touched for seven hits and four earned runs with a walk and six strikeouts.
Not a great outing for Scherzer, though he did make up for a lot of deep counts and an early exit by ringing up the six Ks. It's been a rough stretch for the young fireballer, who's 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA over his last four outings. However, given his nasty 9.24 K/9 mark, owners should continue to give him the nod. He's set to take the rock again on July 26 vs. the light-hitting Pirates.
Though Vasquez has limited upside, he certainly improved upon his last start when he did not make it out of the second inning. He has been a victim of bad run support, which is why he has just one win.
Max Scherzer lasted just four innings in a no-decision Tuesday, getting touched for seven hits and four earned runs with a walk and six strikeouts.
Not a great outing for Scherzer, though he did make up for a lot of deep counts and an early exit by ringing up the six Ks. It's been a rough stretch for the young fireballer, who's 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA over his last four outings. However, given his nasty 9.24 K/9 mark, owners should continue to give him the nod. He's set to take the rock again on July 26 vs. the light-hitting Pirates.
Volstad picked up the win Tuesday, holding the Padres to one run over seven innings.
Volstad gave up four hits but walked four and struck out just two, so he was quite fortunate. Still, with a 1.22 WHIP and a strong groundball rate, he's pitched well this season.
Schmidt is expected to make his next start after reporting no discomfort after Monday's five-inning outing against the Reds, the team's official site reports.
Volstad gave up four hits but walked four and struck out just two, so he was quite fortunate. Still, with a 1.22 WHIP and a strong groundball rate, he's pitched well this season.
Schmidt is expected to make his next start after reporting no discomfort after Monday's five-inning outing against the Reds, the team's official site reports.
