The White Sox’s Esteban Loiaza can solidify his Cy Young credentials today when he faces the Minnesota Twins and Brad Radke. Minnesota got back to within one game of the lead behind lefty Johann Santana and two excellent relief outings from LaTroy Hawkins and “Everyday” Eddie Guardado. Shannon Stewart (MVP?) drove in two runs as the Twins won the game 4-1.

With the Boston Red Sox on tap for the weekend for Chicago, both Minnesota (who goes to Cleveland) and KC (who will play the 1962 Mets, I mean Tigers) have a chance to pick up some ground or in the Twins case perhaps take the lead if the White Sox falter in Fenway.

So, pressure falls on Loiaza today to extend the lead back to two games in the Central over the Twins. May not be that simple as Brad Radke has been here before in big games and has pitched better as of late.

Absolutely no doubt that Ted Lilly is in the A’s playoff picture if they get to the postseason. With only Hudson and Zito as sure bets to start, and with the A’s only throwing Hudson on three days rest if necessary, the A’s will need two more starting pitchers. Lilly is first up and deserves it. Next, Rich Harden, simply because there is no one else available that the manager would trust in that situation. This is the spot where I thought Pat Hentgen would have fit in perfectly.

Signature move by Ken Macha last night pulling Lilly in the sixth (he has done it with huge success all year), turning the next five outs over to Chad Bradford, then closing with a bevy of others.

Click below for more!Brett Boone is making astrong case for MVP. Not only is he still htting the ball with authority, but he is singlehandedly keeping the Mariners offense afloat. Joel Pineiro pitched his best game since July 31st and the Mariners won over a very annoying Texas team. It is absolutely no picnic playing this team as the A’s will find out this weekend in Arlington. If you let your guard down, they still have the primetime players who can hurt you.

Gil Meche coming off some strong outings tries to shut the Rangers down today against Angel refugee Mickey Callaway.

The A’s counter with Harden against Scott Shields, a righty who throws well, but has to be wearing down in his first season as a big league starter. Expect both bullpens to be active on a beautiful sunny day in Oakland.
Should be some homers today, too.

Cubs bullpen collapsed in Puerto Rico costing them a share of the lead. Mark Prior who could be in the Cy Young mix goes today against Tomo Ohka for Montreal.

With Houston playing the Cards over the weekend, today’s game is one the Cubs would like to win.

After today’s game the Cubs fly home to Chicago and face the Reds over the next few days. Todd Van Poppell threw another terrific six innings for Cincinnati yesterday, he must be loading up the ball, right?

The Giants were crowing about Kirk Reuter’s solid six innings last night against the Padres. If the Giants need a fourth starter he will be it unless it is against the Braves, then I think they will bring a righty like Dustin Hermanson in to pitch the game against that lineup. Anyway, I’d like to see Reuter pitch consecutive strong games before jumping on the bandwagon.

The Marlins pitching is kicking in once again. The Phillies see the Braves today while the Marlins are off as they get ready for Atlanta for the weekend. Whoever plays the best against the East will win the wild card. The Phillies see Pittsburgh while the Miami team has to sweat out their three games with the Braves starting tomorrow.

Sterling Hitchcock (St. Louis) and Ron Villone (Houston) have big starts for their teams today. Who would have predicted these two would have even been on the radar screen on Sept. 11th, yet part of a pennant race.

Can Manny Ramirez win the AL batting title? He is second to Bill Mueller today. If there is any justice he won’t.

Albert Pujols is this year’s A Rod, he leads his league in just about everything, but won’t win the MVP, you can deliver it to Barry Bonds today.

Same thing for AL Manager of the Year, give it to Tony Pena right now no matter how the Central ends up.

One thing about Ted Lilly, he will have to speed up his delivery with men on base, the runners could have timed him with a sundial last night as they ran wild.

Roy Halladay goes for his 20th today, a major accomplishment in any era.

The memories of Sept. 11th, 2001 are very strong, what a day it was. The aftermath was a lesson learned on how precious life can be and how quickly it can change.

Take a deep breath sometime today and just think about how lucky we are to be alive.