Pirates Surging The Pittsburgh Pirates are surging thanks in part to the hot bat of Jason Bay. To continue that success, they’ll have to get past one of the hottest pitchers in the majors. Bay and the Pirates try to overcome Chris Young and win back-to-back games against the San Diego Padres when they continue their three-game series Wednesday night at PNC Park.
Author: Shah
One Win Away As much as the individual talents of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have frustrated the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference finals, the San Antonio Spurs have benefited from something else: their collective experience. The Spurs are the oldest team in the league, featuring a roster full of players who’ve won championships or been part of long postseason runs.
Ducks Lead 1-0 Scott Niedermayer and defense partner Chris Pronger started and ended the Anaheim Ducks’ penalty-box procession in the Stanley Cup finals opener. If the Western Conference champs don’t figure out a way to cut down on the high-sticking, roughing, tripping, slashing, hooking and holding, the constant march to the box could turn into the most-watched springtime Southern California parade this side of Disneyland.
Hudson in Slump The Milwaukee Brewers stopped their longest skid of the season by finally coming through at the plate. They’ll try to follow that effort up against a slumping Tim Hudson. Hudson looks to avoid a third straight loss as he takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves in the decisive game of their road series with the Brewers on Wednesday.
Mariners On Fire The Seattle Mariners have newfound confidence thanks to one of the hottest offenses in the majors. Now they hope those bats can lift them to their longest winning streak of 2007. The Mariners go for their fifth straight victory as they continue a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Perez Leads Mets Oliver Perez looks to extend his career-high winning streak to four starts and help the New York Mets match their longest run of the season when they host Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Perez (6-3, 2.54 ERA) has been one of the Mets’ biggest surprises this year, tying John Maine for the team lead in victories.
Cavs Have Confidence The throbbing pain in Larry Hughes’ left foot matched the ache in the pit of his stomach. The thought of missing another NBA playoff game was tough on Cleveland’s point guard. Hughes, mired in a shooting slump during the postseason, will likely sit out Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit after he tore the plantar fascia in his left foot during the Cavaliers’ 88-82 win in Game 3.
Anaheim Takes Game 1 When a bouncing puck found Travis Moen in the slot, he was every bit as dangerous as Teemu Selanne, instead of the checker he’s paid to be. Moen wasted no time and snapped a shot past Ray Emery with 2:51 left, giving the Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Senators in the Stanley Cup finals opener Monday night.
Cubs Slumping The Florida Marlins’ road woes appear to be a thing of the past. They’ll have their ace on the mound Tuesday to try and lead them to their fifth straight win away from home. Dontrelle Willis tries to continue his road success at one of his favorite venues when he starts for the Marlins in the middle contest of a three-game series with the slumping Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Ron Washington Returns Ron Washington played a big role in the success of the Athletics during his 11 years as a coach in Oakland. His first season as manager of the Texas Rangers, though, hasn’t been working out nearly as well. The Rangers hope to avoid a season-high sixth straight loss Monday night when they open a three-game series against the Athletics in Washington’s first game in Oakland as an opposing manager.