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| Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have to be loving Maholm right now. (Getty Images) |
Thursday gave us lots of day baseball and then two nightcaps -- one with dogs in the stadium and another that took about two hours, due to one team's anemic offense. Let's dive on in ...
Full Thursday scoreboard with recaps and box scores for every game
3 UP
Paul Maholm, Cubs: The veteran left-hander is getting into a groove just in time to be an attractive trading chip prior to the July 31st deadline. Thursday, it was an eight-inning gem against the Marlins. Maholm only allowed five hits and one run while striking out four. That means he is 4-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 0.97 WHIP since a terrible start on June 23. Time to strike while the iron is hot, new Cubs administration.
Brandon Phillips, Reds: The Reds are going to be without their superstar for the next several weeks, so they need their other big bats to step up. Thursday, Phillips did so. In a 7-6 victory, Phillips accounted for all but one Reds run, driving in five -- on a double and home run -- and scoring twice (obviously the home run means he scored and drove himself home on the same play).
Max Scherzer, Tigers: Don't look now, but the once-hibernating Tigers have won 10 of their last 12 and are now only 1.5 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central. Thursday, Scherzer stepped up with a big outing against a very solid offensive ballclub in the Angels. He worked seven strong innings, allowing just three hits and one run, also striking out nine.
3 DOWN
Gio Gonzalez, Nationals: This had the makings of a pitcher's duel between Gonzalez and R.A. Dickey. Instead, the Mets jumped all over Gonzalez. He allowed six runs on six hits in just 3 1/3 innings. He was pretty bad in every aspect, walking three and allowing two home runs while also working from behind far too often to be successful.
Matt Thornton/Addison Reed, White Sox: Jose Quintana threw an absolute gem against the potent Red Sox offense for eight innings. He handed the ball over to the bullpen with a 1-0 lead. Thornton allowed two singles while only getting one out. He was then removed for Reed, who faced only one batter -- Cody Ross, who clubbed a walk-off, three-run homer. The White Sox now head to Detroit with a mere 1.5 game lead over the Tigers.
Astros offense: I know Petco Park is the most extreme pitchers' park in baseball and we do have to give Edinson Volquez credit for his one-hit shutout of the Astros, but c'mon. The only hit off Volquez all night was a check-swing grounder with eyes. That's terrible. And the Astros are now 10-38 on the road. That's a 162-game pace of 34-128.
AL West showdown: The Rangers have a six-game lead over the Angels, but they're still the two powers in the West. And this weekend, the Angels can move to within three if they sweep. Friday night, it'll be Jered Weaver (11-1, 2.26) against Derek Holland (6-4, 4.57) of the Rangers. 10:05 p.m. ET
AL Central showdown: We already mentioned the 1.5-game separation between the White Sox and Tigers. With a three-game series, the Tigers can take the division lead at home this weekend. Friday night brings us an absolute beauty of a pitching matchup, too: Jake Peavy (7-6, 3.12) vs. Justin Verlander (10-5, 2.43). Verlander may have superior stuff, but no one battles like Peavy. This is a must-see. 7:05 p.m. ET
NL East showdown: How cool is this? Three different intradivisional first place vs. second place series this weekend. The Braves head to Washington trailing the first-place Nats by 3.5 games. And just like the first two listings here in On Deck, the pitching matchup is solid: Tommy Hanson (10-5, 4.02) vs. Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 2.66). 7:05 p.m. ET
Friday's probable pitchers
• Foul-ball lawsuit: The Atlanta Braves are being sued by the family of a girl who was struck in the head by a line-drive foul ball in 2010 when she was six years old. The claim is negligence, in that there should be more netting. The chances of the lawsuit succeeding? Pretty low. "It's the baseball rule: Tough luck. When you come to the ballpark, you assume the risk," University of New Haven's management and sports department chair Gil Fried said (ajc.com). It might sound heartless when considering the poor child whose life has been severely altered, but that's the crux of the issue. The Braves did not force this family to take their daughter to the game. Maybe they do need more netting. Families have the choice to stay away until such netting is put up.
• Late bloomer: R.A. Dickey is having a career year at age 37. We know that's rare, but just how rare is it? Beyond the Box Score takes a look.
• For the non-meat eaters: This means nothing to me -- as I just destroyed a glorious ribeye before starting work for the night -- but for those interested: PETA has ranked the top 10 stadiums in terms of vegetarian-friendly concession offerings. Number 1? Citizens Bank Park. In Philadelphia! Home of the Philly Cheesesteak, no less. Hey, variety is the spice of life.
• From the TMZ department: Remember Kris Benson? He was supposed to develop into an elite ace, but instead his best season ended up being 2000 (10-12, 3.85 ERA, 1.34) at the age of 25. Or maybe you remember his slightly-crazy/slightly-crazy-hot wife Anna Benson. Apparently the two are getting divorced. Not exactly TomKat, but ... well, whatever. I have nothing further. (Baltimoresun.com)
• Will Ferrell and Zack Galifanakis throw out first pitch in Wrigley: We'll leave you with this. Watch it here ...
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