In the 1950’s, the Pacific Coast League played a seven game series each week, ending the set with a doubleheader on Sunday between such teams as the Hollywood Stars, the Sacramento Solons, the San Francisco Seals, or the Oakland Oaks to name a few.

Sunday, still brings that rush of anticipation of the big weekend finale, even though the twin bill is a thing of the past.

It’s the last chance to win a game before the week closes and the teams move on to the next city.

Here’s what’s in store today.

The A’s end the road trip trying to win their second in six chances. Barry Zito has been hot and cold this year. He talks a good game, but hasn’t executed his game plan very well.

Hey Barry, throw your fastball more often. Throw it in on the hands, then your curve ball will look like it did last year, impossible to hit.

Dan Wright will throw 100 pitches by the sixth inning, turning things over to the bull pen. The White Sox play much better at home than on the road and are hammering mediocre pitching,(see the A’s middle relief for the definiton of mediocre pitching).

If Zito doesn’t go seven complete, it will be another long flight home for Oakland.

Joel Piniero goes in Yankee Stadium for the resurgent Mariners. Seattle is hitting again, making Lou Piniella happy. Piniero is trying to build arm strength, converting from reliever to starter, he gets a chance before a huge Sunday crowd in the Bronx.

I remember those Sunday games in the Stadium. It seemed like Whitey Ford always pitched the first game of the double dip.

Mr. Yankee, David Wells, goes for NY. Wells loves to pitch in this park. Mariano Rivera and Steve Karsay gave it up for NY on Saturday, the NY pen is suspect against the Mariners in the late innings. No doubt this one will be in the hands of the pen. Should be another nail biter.

Yankees-Mariners, a perfect way to end the week in the AL.

Atlanta was beaten by a pitcher making his major league debut, who also pitched for Italy in the 2000 Olympics, the Cards Jason Simontacchi, on Saturday.

Need I say anymore about the Braves offensive woes.

Greg Maddux goes for Atlanta against Daryl Kile for the Cards. Does Maddux look OK to you? I’m not so sure.

Kenny Rogers has been a pleasant surprise for Texas and actually is one of the top lefthanders in the league right now. Texas can leave Cleveland’s Sunday crowd in an unhappy mood because this year’s CC Sabathia model, has little chance to shut down the Rangers.

Baseball runs in cycles. Cleveland and Toronto are due to play about .450 ball pretty soon instead of heading into long losing streaks again.

The only question is when will it happen. Stay tuned.

Ramon Ortiz throws for Anaheim in Toronto. When rookie Justin Miller shut the Angels down easily on Saturday, it raised the hope for the Blue Jays that the Angel bats may be cooling off again. Buck Martinez sure hopes so.

In Houston, it’s Al Leiter (Mets) and Roy Oswalt(Astros). Both teams are playing well and have deep pitching staffs. This is a perfect Sunday game. The game of the day.

Mike Hampton, the Colorado ace, tries for a rare Colorado road win in Philadelphia. Since Hampton can hit, he will aid the dismal Rockies road offense.

Vincente Padilla who threw a great game on Tuesday in Pac Bell Park, is the best pitcher on the Phillies staff. Now if he can just go eight innings, then the Phils may get the sweep.

The Reds have suffered the fate of all road teams that play in San Francisco. No one, but the Giants, hits in Pac Bell. Livan Hernandez is a perfect Sunday pitcher. He hits, throws nine innings, throws 140 pitches, and fields his position. He makes me think I’m watching a pitcher from the 60’s. I mean that as a major compliment.

The Reds offense is young and nonexistent right now. Though, nice kids to talk to.

Other games worth noting for a Sunday marquee match up.

Javier Vasquez, Expo number one, versus Rick Helling, Arizona. Bombs away for Montreal.

Matt Clement, throwing very well for the Cubs versus five inning Kevin Brown (LA). Brown will never last the season until he backs off and realizes he is just another pitcher who needs bull pen help in the middle of the game. Let it loose for five and one third, then get out Kevin.

Sunday in LA used to bring out 55,000, wonder how many will show tonight (ESPN)?

The BoSox will torment the Devil Rays for two more days before coming down to earth on the West Coast this week. Pedro, Tuesday in Oakland and then Sunday on ESPN in Seattle.

What a way to end next Sunday.

I still get excited about Sunday baseball.

It feels good.