The Angels got a bad break when rain threatened the Boston area, causing the Red Sox to move Pedro’s start from last night to tonight, so their ace wouldn’t possibly lose a turn.

Seattle got well the last two days in Detroit, and the A’s made Cleveland look like a AAA team for four days.

The Expos come into Pac Bell with one of the hottest pitchers in the league after the Mets Bobby Valentine was lucky to leave SF with his job.

The Dodgers face the Braves and then the Diamondbacks in their next two series, meaning this would be a good time to wake up the Giants bats against Montreal.

What a weekend to follow. Playing in Comerica Park will be a challenge for the A’s. Oh, their pitching should be fine starting tonight against another mediocre righthander Brian Powell, but with a vast outfield to cover Terrence Long and David Justice might have some difficulty and cause some anxious moments for Art Howe.

Expect these games to be close, home runs are tough to come by except for lefthanders. Eric Chavez should see some good pitches from Powell and Jose Lima. The batters should shoot for singles and doubles, and move the ball around ( I hate to say it, small ball) to be effective in this big park.

Oscar Henriquez and Juan Acevedo can close a game, so as the Mariners learned on Monday and Tuesday, you don’t want to be losing heading into the ninth inning against the Tigers.

Seattle should have no trouble behind righthander Joel Pineiro in Cleveland. Joel Skinner, interim manager for the Tribe, better start pitching around the other teams hot hitters more often, he got burned numerous times against the A’s.

The Angels face Pedro tonight and unfortunately have Jarrod Washburn going against the best pitcher in the league. Another test for the Halos. Boston has beaten the last six lefties they have faced (including Zito), so Washburn will have his hands full. Johnny Damon dislocated a finger which means Rickey Henderson will lead off tonight.

Injuries are creeping up on Anaheim. Tim Salmon is on the DL with Aaron Sele. Kevin Appier is hurting ( I remember when Appier self destructed in Fenway when the A’s were chasing the Sox in 2000) and now Scott Schoenweiss is going back in the rotation, not good news. If there is no strike next week, the Angels should pick up another legit starter (Loiaza) for the balance of the 2002 season.

The Expos didn’t hit at all their last time in Pac Bell. This time they come from Coors Field which may help their confidence. It will be a cold, foggy night in SF, so Russ Ortiz’ fastball will be tough to hit out of the park. Tomo Ohka, Bartolo Colon, and Javier Vasquez will be a real test for the Giants who just don’t score many runs anyway. The real story will be whether or not the Expos can hit in this park, not many teams do. The Montreal bull pen is weak and may prove to be their undoing in what should be close, low scoring games.

The Dodgers face Maddux ( he has to be hurting, right) and Glavine the next two days. The Braves are not winning lately which comes at a good time for LA. If the Giants pitch effectively against Montreal and Colorado next week, they should be leading the Wild Card by August 30th. The Dodgers need to win at least four of their next seven to weather the storm.

I’m getting tired of the NL Central, I’m becoming convinced that Houston will never put it together, but once St. Louis finishes off the patsies they have been playing, there might be something worth watching if only Jimy Williams could find the tonic which could get the Astros to play decent ball for two weeks.

These races are in for some changes over the next week.

I can feel it.