If you’re a baseball fan, it doesn’t get any better than the matchup in Petco Park this afternoon.  The #1 and #2 ranked teams will be squaring off, both sending their aces to the hill in a Sunday afternoon rubber match. 

1) Red Sox
With the divisional lead back up to double digits, the eyes of Red Sox Nation turn to the pitching staff, where Curt Schilling is struggling and on the DL, and there is talk of a possible trade of prospects for Mark Buehrle.  Clay Buchholz is likely untouchable, but other than him, anything goes.

2) Padres
After silencing Boston last night, Chris Young now has his ERA down to 2.08.  Over his 3 year career, the big lefty sports an ERA+ of 122, and continues to make Texas regret that trade.

3) Angels
The Angels are 8-2 over their last 10 games, and Reggie Willits is putting up numbers that harken back to the dead ball era: .349/.449/.420 with 18 steals in 20 attempts.

4) Tigers
Say what you want about Gary Sheffield, the guy is undeniably a Hall of Fame hitter.  The man with a career OPS+ of 145 is running away with the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award, hitting .294/.400/.538 in a pitcher’s haven.

5) Indians
The Tribe keeps sticking with Detroit.  Check out the performance from their backup catcher Kelly Shoppach: .373/.447/.627 (in only 76 PAs, but still impressive).  There’s a Bob Lobel quote that may be applicable here…

6) Brewers
The Brewery is on fire, as Milwaukee has won 5 straight and 9 of their last 10.  Ben Sheets, their ace, has been surprisingly healthy, and has been winning without huge K totals (only 65 in 96 innings). 

7) Dodgers
Want to hear something funny? Grady Little has a career winning percentage of .568.  If you’re scoring at home, that is
good for 13th on the all-time list, right ahead of Davey Johnson and Bobby Cox.  I shit you not!

8) Mets
Carlos Delgado is 35, but is playing like he’s 65, as the slugger has an anemic OBP of .289.  The good news? Pedro is throwing the ball well in bullpen sessions, and should begin a rehab assignment soon.

9) Yankees
The momentum built up from last week was pissed away in interleague action, as the team was swept by Colorado and lost a heartbreaker to San Fran yesterday.  I have to be honest, the combination of Kei Igawa and Roger Clemens is looking like an obscene waste of money on the part of Brian Cashman.

10) Oakland
Eventually, that starting rotation is going to come down to earth.  When that happens, Billy Beane and Bob Geren better pray that Bobby Crosby and Dan Johnson start hitting as advertised, because the Angels might be tough to catch down the stretch.