One or more of the contenders will face tough tests this week.

With few off days, the pitchers will again take center stage.

Boston plays three in Seattle, then moves on to Minnesota for three more.

The Giants go to the South to play Atlanta and the Marlins.

The Dodgers play in Montreal and New York.

You get the idea, things will be a changin’ this week.

Here’s my take.The NL Wild Card race will tighten up this week.

Who can forget the 150 pitch games Giant lefty Bob Knepper used to throw in the humidity in Fulton County Stadium in the late 80’s?

The Braves are smoking and the Giants are still searching for consistency on the mound and at the plate.

I’m less optimistic about the Giants playoff chances than I was two weeks ago because Livan Hernandez, Ryan Jensen, and Kirk Reuter are not getting the job done when Dusty hands them the ball.

This could be a rough week for SF.

The Dodgers are not much better. Paul Shuey has not been the eighth inning stopper the Dodgers envisioned when they pried him loose from Cleveland.

Montreal is tough with their starters capable of winning each time out. The Mets are on their last legs, but still have some hope. The only thing the Dodgers can hope for is to see Shawn Estes this weekend since they always rake the lefty.

Boston has to get another starter, right? Their two studs, Pedro and Lowe are just that, but the bull pen and Wakefield and Fossum won’t carry them past NY or into the Wild Card.

Seattle is in the same boat with Baldwin and Halama. Ichiro is still terrific, but he isn’t having the impact he had last season. Seattle needs a starter or possibly two to ensure the post season.

The Mariners start a stretch of 13 straight against Boston, New York, then Detroit and Cleveland (both away).

Could be scary in the Northwest for Lou and company if things don’t break right on the mound.

The Angels could be leading this division next Monday.

The last three weeks in the AL West promises to be the best baseball of the year when Oakland, Seattle and Anaheim square off.

Starting August 20th and thru Sept. 18th , the Red Sox play 29 games with one day off.

Watch them carefully.

Cincinnati is hitting again. This will be necessary since they play Arizona and Houston 14 times over the next four series.

The Reds problems believe it or not, lie in thier overworked bull pen. We will know more about Cincy’s chances after these games.

I think they will be in the race in September.

Houston is in the midst of 20 games without a day off. They just finished six with Florida and Atlanta, now go on the road for eight games.

St. Louis is in Pittsburgh for four. The Cards are also playing 20 straight having finished six with Montreal and the Mets.

St.Louis better hope that their offense kicks in, because this weeks pitchers are Simontacchi, Morris, Benes, and Hackman against the Pirates.

There will be a change on the leader board in the Central, you can count on it.

The A’s got some of their swagger back on the road trip to the East. I wonder if Mulder’s arm is tired (he did have problems earlier in the year) because he isn’t sharp early in the game. He had little snap on his pitches yesterday in one of his most important outings of the year. A sweep of NY would have sent the team home happier than the two of three they got, but who can complain.

The A’s don’t get Roy Halliday and might miss Mark Buehrle this weekend when Chicago comes in. Art Howe is living well.

The standings will change this month, I’m sure of it, September will be outstanding.