FanHouse

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

San Diego Padres (29-38) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (31-34) - 3:35PM Est.

As much of a disappointment as the 2008 season has been for the San Diego Padres, looking at the big picture, things aren't nearly as bad as they seem. They've won five of their last six games, and even though they're still nine games under .500, they play in the NL West so they're still alive.

The Diamondbacks have plummeted back to earth after starting out so hot this season, and the Friars find themselves only 6.5 games out of first place. If San Diego's offense could ever manage to consistently score some runs, the Padres could find themselves right back in the thick of things.

Of course, it's entirely possible they could do it without their offense as they get their ace back on the mound this afternoon. Will Jake Peavy's return be the spark the Pads need?


Peavy hasn't pitched since May 14th when he was placed on the disabled list with a strained right elbow after a bad start against the Cubs. After throwing a simulated game last week, Peavy didn't feel any discomfort or pain in the elbow, so the team has decided to skip any rehab starts and throw him right back into the fire.

Well, that and they saw the Dodgers on the schedule and wanted to get Jake out there as quick as possible. Peavy is 11-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers, and is even better at PetCo where he's 5-0 with a 1.18 ERA.

Hiroki Kuroda starts for the Dodgers, and he's coming off the best start of his career. Kuroda threw his first complete game shutout in his last start against the Cubs, allowing only four hits and striking out eleven in a 3-0 Dodgers victory. He's only made one start against the Padres, and he allowed only one run and three hits in seven innings, picking up the first win of his career.

New York Mets (31-33) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (35-31) - 1:10PM Est.

Last winter the American League lost two of its best pitchers to the National League when the Athletics sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for a boatload of prospects, and the Twins sent Johan Santana to the Mets. Today the two face off at Shea Stadium and are hoping to get their teams going.

After jumping out to such a great start by going 20-8 in April, the Diamondbacks have gone 15-23 since May 1st and have fallen back towards the very mediocre pack that is the NL West. Haren has pitched very well at home for Arizona this season, but the road has been less than kind to Dan.

Away from Chase Field Haren is still looking for that first win as he's 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA. He's 0-0 with a 2.83 ERA in his career against the Mets.

As for the Mets, they've been underachieving for damn near a year now, and are hoping to turn that five-game losing streak they just ended last night into a win streak. Johan Santana seems like as good a choice to start one as any, as he's been pitching well as of late. Johan is 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his last three starts, and has enjoyed facing Arizona, whom he's 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA against lifetime.

Cincinnati Reds (31-36) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (40-27) - 7:10PM Est.

If your initial reaction to the news of Albert Pujols going on the disabled list for three weeks was that the Cardinals season was over, you weren't alone. Most of us have been confused as to how this team could even still be in the hunt this late into the season, so you'd figure that by losing the one guy they can't afford to, St. Louis is on life support.

Then the Cardinals go out and score 10 runs against the Reds without Prince Albert in the middle of the lineup, and improve their win streak to four games. Can they do it again today?

Joel Piniero is freshly activated off of the disabled list and making is first start since May 20th for the Redbirds this evening. Pineiro didn't have a great month of May before his groin injury, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts, but he is 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA in two career starts against the Reds.

Cincy counters with Bronson Arroyo, and he's just hoping to make it to the fifth inning, something he hasn't done in either of his last two starts. In his career against St. Louis, Bronson is 4-5 with a 4.23 ERA, though he did pick up a win against them earlier this year.

Everybody Else

• Pirates vs. Nationals 12:35PM
• Tigers vs. White Sox 1:05PM
• Astros vs. Brewers 2:05PM
• Royals vs. Rangers 2:10PM
• Rockies vs. Giants 3:05PM
• Red Sox vs. Orioles 6:05PM
• Indians vs. Twins 7:05PM
• Marlins vs. Phillies 7:05PM
• Athletics vs. Yankees 10:05PM