Many interesting stories developed Friday night leading me to believe in the baseball axiom that you never know what you will see when you come to the park.

Cory Lidle threw the game of his life when all appeared lost in his baseball career. Tom Goodwin, banished to the minors by the Giants and earlier by the Dodgers, won the game in the 12th when he got a hit after replacing Barry Bonds. Freddy Garcia self destructed leading me to the conclusion that Jamie Moyer is the ace of the Seattle staff, a scary thought for Lou Piniella.

How about today?Ted Lilly throws against the Rangers. With the A’s retro uniforms (1972) to spur him on, Lilly may look like Ken Holtzman to Texas. The Rangers are something like 6-20 against lefties this season, they have to break the streak sometime. Rob Bell threw well against the A’s last year in Oakland. Is tonight the night to break the streak? Why not, you see surprises every day, Lilly may get one in his Oakland debut.

Ryan Franklin got rocked in his last start. Lou told him to forget it and named him to start game two in Anaheim. Baseball is full of these kinds of stories. Kid goes out and with manager’s blessing throws a gem. On the other side of the diamond, John Lackey, a tall Texan has been almost perfect for the Angels in his few major league starts. The Angels are a free swinging team in high gear right now. I say they rock the Mariners again today and go for the sweep with Jarrod Washburn tomorrow.

The Orioles are recovering from their sojourn to Toronto, where even the best have struggled, and now get to beat up another righty in Gary Glover. Jerry Manuel is the next manager to go, I just feel that one coming on soon. I like Oriole starter Sidney Ponson who has had a blister problem. This game may have some runs.

The Red Sox will be in their bull pen today in New York. As well as Rolando Arrojo has pitched in his role this year with the club, he can’t go more than six innings. Thus, get ready for another stirring Yankee comeback in the Bronx.

The Giants rely on Ryan Jensen against the punchless Dodgers. With both bull pens depleted, Jensen will go further than Omar Daal, and the Giants win another squeaker. With Bonds apparently out with a hamstring injury, the Giants will have trouble scoring runs, against LA four usually will get it done. Daal will accomodate them nicely.

Carlos Zambrano shut the Braves down the other day, Houston rookie Kirk Saarloos is back for another try in Wrigley. Zambrano has more experience and will out pitch his counterpart easily.

Diamondbacks now have lost Rick Helling to the DL (ankle). They face one of the more successful lefty rookies around, Oliver Perez in San Diego. Arizona doesn’t hit with any consistency and a lefty has a real good chance of holding them to one or two runs. San Diego is the best friend to the Giants and Dodgers as they knock off the Diamondbacks in San Diego.

Steve Parris has been a pleasant surprise for Toronto. The Devil Rays are just hoping they get paid in ten days.

The Pirates will jump on the Cards and their bull pen. Kris Benson is due to put a good game together soon as he returns from elbow surgery. Chuck Finley, now a Cardinal will give them innings, something they desperately need.

The stories of baseball are amazing.

Cory Lidle throws seven no hit innings, Tom Goodwin wins the game after Jeff Kent is walked in front of him, Pedro shines again before 55,000 in New York.

I see the intensity rising at the park and that means unlikely heroes will step forward.

More on the way today.