The A’s face the Angels in Anaheim, a good test for both teams.

Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito against Bartolo Colon, Jarrod Washburn, and Kelvim Escobar.

Angels starters John Lackey and Ramon Ortiz, who have ERA’s over 10 are being spared this weekend.

Arthur Rhodes gets to see if he can close out the righthanded power of the Angels, while Troy Percival and company will be ready for the A’s and Jermaine Dye.

Tim Hudson got an extra days rest because he went nine against Seattle last Saturday.

Bartolo Colon hasn’t been tagged at all this season, so this is a good test to see if he can withstand the first pressurized series between these two teams.

Click below for more!The Angels have stolen ten bases in eleven tries. Tim Hudson had a problem keeping runners close earlier in his career.

Hudson has never faced Vladimir Guerrero before.

This is also the first real test for Eric Chavez in the three spot. The number three hitter should be your best hitter, a .300 hitter, will Chavez handle the key spot in the order? At least Colon is a righty which gives Chavez a fighting chance.

Maybe tonight will be the night when Erubiel Durazo drives in his first run of the season.

The Yankees go into Fenway and A Rod will be booed I’m sure. Although, it wasn’t his doing that he is not a member of the Red Sox, Bostonians will not forget he is a Yankee.

This is also a good test for manager Terry Francona. Francona is runs a bunch of cliches every time he tries to answer a question. Yankees -Red Sox requires some reality, especially from the manager.

Keith Foulke gets to show his stuff against the big boys. Foulke has been terrific so far.

Pedro was horrible last night. No super star pitcher in the history of the game has been scrutinized like Pedro. Was it too cold? Is his shoulder tight? Why did he give up another homer? Questions that are posed on a daily basis.

The Dodgers have some offense. Teams don’t hit in Pac Bell. Jason Schmidt is ready to throw that 95 mph heater tonight against LA.

Odalis Perez is good. Will he challenge Barry Bonds with the game on the line, no matter what inning?

I say he will. They all do it until it sinks in that no one else on the Giants can beat you if you continuosly pitch around Bonds.

Gil Meche was outstanding last Saturday. The Mariners are home in their spacious park after rallying to beat Anaheim last night. Meche throws a fastball at 92, then a curve at 77. Pedro stuff and he is good. All Meche needs is the arm strength which will come. Eddie Guardado looked better last night, his velocity was up to 90 and he was throwing easily.

Chan Ho Park is OK for five innings before the roof falls in. Let’s see if Buck Showalter figures that out tonight.

Javier Vazquez gets his first look at Yankees Red Sox tonight against Tim Wakefield. Vazquez is strong and should pitch well against this weakened Red Sox lineup. No Aaron Boone to torment Wakefield.

Can Jimmy Gobble get the Royal starters off the schneid? Has the new turf in Minnesota slowed the ball down? KC can hit and we’ll see some runs in this series starting tonight because Johan Santana doesn’t look right early in the year.

If San Diego knocks Randy Johnson around you know it will be a long year for Arizona. Johnson usually handles this lineup with ease. Petco doesn’t lend itself to high scoring games and with Jake Peavy going this one could be 4-3 before the bullpens let it get out of hand.

Can Tom Glavine continue his fine work against tough Kip Wells and the Pirates? The Mets are winning with a depleted lineup, not easy to do.

The Phillies are looking for a good game from Eric Milton at home tonight. Milton was adequate in his first start, but this team better start hitting the ball. Jimmy Rollins at .138 is hard to believe.

Jaret Wright could be a candidate for comeback player of the year with the Braves. Florida gets the Braves at the right time. Darren Oliver will give up a run, I guarantee it.

How about Armando Benitez? He is a lifesaver so far for the Marlins.

Houston turns to Roy Oswalt today. Just when you think Ben Sheets has it made he leaves the game with a bad back.

Good weekend of baseball, it’s early to watch the scoreboard, but I’ll be looking tonight.