On Deck: AL East Clash of the Titans - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

Baltimore Orioles (14-11) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (14-11) - 7:05PM Est.

It's the matchup we've been waiting our entire lives for. The series to end all series. The rivalry to end all rivalries.

We approach the end of baseball's first month with two teams perched atop the AL East who are tired of beating the weak and weary "teams" that litter this sport called baseball. They're ready for real competition, and they're ready to decide once and for all: who is the team to beat in the mighty AL East?

No it's not the Red Sox and Yankees (you fool!), it's the Orioles and Rays.

It's Baltimore and Tampa.

It's Garrett Olson and Jason Hammell.

It's your sole reason for living, and it's after the jump.


Okay, okay, so the Red Sox are tied for first with both these teams as well, and the Yankees trail all three by only a game, but they're done, right? They had their time. In 2008 it's all about the underdog, as is evidenced by a quick look around the standings, where we see powerhouses like the Marlins, Athletics, and White Sox leading their divisions.

Today we get to see the Orioles and Rays meet for only the sixth time this season, but it's the first time they've met as division leaders. The Orioles return to Baltimore, and they're undoubtedly a bit cranky after playing a weekend series in Chicago that was marred by cold weather and rain. Hell, that series technically hasn't even ended since yesterday's 11 inning affair has been suspended until a later date.

The Orioles will look to get the blood flowing again as they turn to Garrett Olson, who is making his first start with the team this season. Some say that it's because the O's need someone to fill in for Adam Leowen, but I think we all know it's just that they were saving their secret weapon for the real competition. Olson hasn't spent much time in the big leagues, but did go 1-3 with a 7.79 ERA in limited action last season. Don't pay any attention to those numbers, though, as I'm sure he was just sandbagging so the Rays wouldn't know what hit them.

While the Orioles are hoping to thaw out after their cold weekend, the Rays are red hot. Tampa is currently riding the wave of a six-game win streak, and look to Jason Hammel to keep thing going as they start a nine-game road trip. Hammel may be pitching for his job as well, because since Scott Kazmir is scheduled to re-join the rotation this weekend, the Rays are going to have to make room somewhere. Hammel's had four career starts against Tampa in his career, and he's 0-3 with an 8.84ERA against them. Man, the lengths these two hurlers will go to deceive the enemy.

Chicago Cubs (16-9) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (14-11) - 8:05PM Est.

The Brewers and Cubs are set to begin a three-game set at Wrigley Field tonight, in what is quickly becoming one of the National League's better rivalries. Don't get me wrong, it's no Orioles-Rays, but it's pretty good none the less.

The Brewers have two key parts returning to the club tonight, as Mike Cameron has finally been freed from baseball prison and will be playing his first game of the season, and Ben Sheets is set to return to the mound after his latest injury (provided he doesn't get hurt walking to the mound).
Sheets had been dominating for Milwaukee before going down, going 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his first four starts. Against the Cubs in his career, Ben is 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 23 starts. Jason Marquis goes for the Cubs, and he'd like to help the Cubs distance themselves a bit further from the rest of their division. In his career against Milwaukee he's 4-6 with a 4.01 ERA.

Philadelphia Phillies (14-12) vs. San Diego Padres (10-16) - 7:05PM Est.

Greg Maddux will try to get the 350th win of his career for the third time tonight in the City of Flying Batteries Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Greg blew his first chance when he allowed somewhere around 132 runs during the first inning against the Diamondbacks, and then Trevor Hoffman blew his second chance for him last week against the Dodgers.

If going by past performances, the odds look pretty good that Mad Dog will get the elusive #350 tonight, as he's 14-8 with a 3.22 ERA against the Phils in his career.

Cole Hamels will be in charge of making Maddux wait at least five more days, as he gets the start for the Phillies. Cole is coming off of two straight rough outings that have seen him allow ten runs in his last 14 innings. Fortunately he's facing a Padres team that's really struggling at the plate, as San Diego currently has only two players on the team hitting over .280, and they happen to be pitchers Jake Peavy and Justin Germano.

Everybody Else

• Red Sox vs. Blue Jays 7:05PM
  
• Indians vs. Mariners 7:05PM
• Yankees vs. Tigers 7:05PM
• Nationals vs. Braves 7:10PM
• Mets vs. Pirates 7:10PM
• Marlins vs. Dodgers 7:10PM
• Rangers vs. Royals 8:05PM
• Twins vs. White Sox 8:10PM
• Cardinals vs. Reds 8:15PM
• Diamondbacks vs. Astros 9:40PM
• Angels vs. Athletics 10:05PM
• Giants vs. Rockies 10:15PM