Baseball In The Daytime: 6-26-08

Grab your boots and your lunchpail, boys, it's time once again to clock in for the day shift. And by clock in I obviously mean take a spot on the couch or the back deck, pop a top and tune in to a little Baseball In The Daytime.

On tap today is a six-pack of heady brews, none imported from Canadia. Nope, this is some All-American swill. Unless you count all the players from Korea, Japan and various states in the West Indies of course. But we wear a coat of many colors here at BITD. Bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses of utility infielders and lollipop curveballs, and we'll put 'em to work. Your schedule is after the jump.

Tampa @ Florida, 10:10 Mountain One of my problems with naming teams after states is that you get awkward pairings such as this. How could Tampa/St. Pete, only the third-largest metro area in the state, compete with the entire commonwealth? That's not even fair. But don't you worry, I'm hearing that one of the conditions of the Marlins finally securing their new park at the site of the demolished Orange Bowl is that they switch their name to the Miami Marlins. And then all will be right with the cosmos. Matt Garza and Mark Hendrickson throw first in this one.

St. Louis @ Detroit, 11:05 This is, of course, the final game of the rematch from the 2006 World Series. The Cards shocked the sporting public in that one, capitalizing on numerous Detroit boners to snag the NL's third title this century. So Detroit is the only American League to lose the World Series other than the Yankees during that span, which is awfully embarrassing. Don't mention it to today's Tiger starter Nate Robertson, who was on that '06 club. Cardinal Todd Wellemeyer couldn't care less, he worked as a car wash attendant and male stripper that year.

Baltimore @ Chicago, 12:20 The O Show sets up its act in front of the ivy at Wrigley today, headlined by the mound stylings of Radhames Liz. That's an actual person, albeit one with a grotesque ERA of 6.27. The best part about Radhames Liz? His middle name is Corey. He'll face Jason Marquis of the Cubs.

Chicago White Sox @ LA Dodgers, 1:10 The Cubs' South Side rivals are out on the Left Coast, matriculating at Chavez Ravine until their big weekend rematch with the Baby Bruins at US Cellular. In a showdown of young lefty flamethrowers, Clayton Kershaw hosts John Danks, bro. It's probably a pretty good day to bat righthanded, if you have those kinds of options available.

Philadelphia @ Oakland, 1:35 After charging into first place, these Phillies have hit the skids. Their win last night halted a six-game losing streak, but they've won just two of ten and four of their last 14. Starting pitching is always an issue with this bunch, but the fearsome offense hasn't stepped up of late either. Today the call goes to Adam Eaton, who'll try to outshine the A's Rich Harden.

Minnesota @ San Diego, 1:35 In the annals of fat outfielders with surprising speed, it's hard to find two better than Kirby Puckett and Tony Gwynn. Both played their entire career in one city, both are enshrined in Cooperstown, both took their team to the World Series. Only Kirby won a ring (two actually), but only Tony was able to avoid getting charged with groping a woman in a restaurant bathroom. Their former clubs face off today, hopefully the ladies will be able to take a leak in peace. Scott Baker and Josh Banks mount the rubbers. Have a good shift, and Play Ball!