The A’s have played this town before as they roll on behind the best starting rotation in baseball.

Last year after the break Oakland won 58 while losing 17, a winning percentage of .775. The second best second half mark in major league history.

With an offense that has been asleep for most of 2002, the pitchers better not miss a step along the way. Today it’s Cory Lidle continuing his comeback from early season troubles against Rodrigo Lopez for Baltimore.

The Red Sox hear footsteps and it’s not just the Angels, but the A’s are 1 1/2 back of the wild card leaders.

Here’s how I see the games today.Boston needs a big boost from Pedro Martinez in Toronto. The Blue Jays would love to trade Esteban Loaiza. Every time Boston looks like they will go into a deep slump, Pedro jumps in to right the ship. If he is healthy, he will pitch another gem today. With a Boston bull pen of Wayne Gomes, Alan Embree, Willie Banks, Rich Garces, and Chris Haney, Toronto is a threat to win this game late. Boston hasn’t hit with any authority, but with the master on the mound four runs will be enough.

Tampa Bay won their one game this month, so Freddy Garcia will have no trouble shutting down the Devil Rays in the conclusion of the series. Wilson Alvarez has not gone more than six innings or so in five years and I don’t care for the Tampa bull pen.

The A’s are dangling Cory Lidle as trade bait for a real hitter. Lidle will make 4.8 million next season. If he pitches well today, maybe someone will bite. Rodrigo Lopez is rested and a very capable pitcher. This game will be close and the Orioles just may snap the A’s winning streak on a very muggy day.

Lidle’s next start is Friday vs. Texas, a team that pounds him.

The Angels should get back on the winning side today. Ramon Ortiz has pitched exceptionally well and Miguel Ascencio for KC is not a consistent starter as of yet.

After today, Anaheim plays the big boys for the next twenty games.

Shawn Chacon has thrown well for Colorado. The Rockies couldn’t score runs in Pac Bell if they hit the ball off a batting tee during the game. Kirk Reuter hasn’t fooled anyone lately, this game will be low scoring, but the Giants will end up with more runs.

Arizona can sweep the Dodgers today. Dodger manager Jim Tracy got thrown out yesterday arguing a call at second base. Sometimes these managerial displays of anger will spur a slumping team. The Dodgers need a boost and tonight Ishii will give them one against a suddenly ineffective Miguel Batista. Batista has a great arm, I’ve seen him pitch nine scoreless innnigs, throwing 95 MPH in the ninth, but for some reason he hasn’t been able to pitch at a high level consistently. The Dodgers need this one and I’d rather go with the Japanese veteran.

Remember, it’s always a game of bull pens. Troy Percival is out for a few days for Anaheim, the Mets and Phillies pens are worn out, Montreal doesn’t have a real closer and Javier Vasquez will need some late inning help. The Braves pen is deep and Damian Moss generally needs two to three innings of relief. Cleveland’s pen worked deep into the game Friday night, Chuck Finley will need help today. Mike Mussina goes 7 or 8, so the Yankees should be in good shape. Houston’s pen has been more reliable than Cincinnat’s. St. Louis is in the pen every game, they are better than San Diego’s.

Speaking of St. Louis, they are in such dire need of a starting pitcher that Andy Benes is due to come back Tuesday night. Bud Smith no hit the Padres last season, for the Cards sake he better pitch well today because Woddy Williams is now on the DL.

If Houston continues to roll, this Central race will tighten up, even giving the Reds a chance.

With the weather heating up, pitching will become even more important in determining the outcome of the game.

Check those bull pens first every day. They usually decide the game.