- Sinkerballer Sergio Mitre, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year, will make his Yankees debut against the Orioles after going 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was 10-23 with a 5.36 ERA in 52 starts and 26 relief appearances for the Cubs and Marlins from 2003-07. If he succeeds in his first couple of starts, it will relieve any pressure on the Yankees to out Phil Hughes back into the rotation.
- Josh Beckett will aim for fifth straight win while pitching on eight days’ rest against the Rangers. The Red Sox opted to give both he and Tim Wakefield additional time off even though neither ended up working in the All-Star Game. Beckett, who could become the AL’s first 12-game winner, will be opposed by Tommy Hunter, who is 1-1 with a 1.53 ERA in three starts since being recalled at the end of last month.
Game of the Night
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia - It’ll be up to Rich Harden to halt the Phillies’ nine-game winning streak. He’s coming off one of his best starts, having allowed just one unearned run and three hits over six innings against the Nationals last time out. While his season ERA stands at 5.06, he’s 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA outside of Wrigley Field. The Phillies, though, have been far better at home lately after getting off to a surprisingly awful start at Citizens Bank Park. They’re 10-1 in Philadelphia this month. Joe Blanton will start for the Phillies.