Fan News

Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt has been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

In return, Houston got a major league-ready pitcher in J.A. Happ and two minor league prospects.

One of them was Anthony Goss, who was immediately traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for first baseman Brett Wallace.

The Phillies have been looking for a starting pitcher to go along with ace Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Hamels has not been at his best this year, so it was a great move to get Oswalt with Halladay to lead the pitching rotation.

The Yankees and Rays enter this weekend's three-game series in St. Petersburg in pretty much the same position they've been all season—holding the two best records in baseball.

But this set ends in August, and games become a little bit more important in August.

New York (65-36) currently holds a two-game advantage over Tampa Bay (63-38) in the American League East, but that could all change if the Rays pull off a sweep.

Let's take a look at the pitching matchups.

Imagine you are responsible to select an all-time starting rotation for the Detroit Tigers.  The pitchers you pick will form the Tigers all-time team and compete against the best of their competition.

Who would you select?  To whom would you give the ball to face off against Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove, Whitey Ford, Jim Palmer, and Roger Clemens?  Who would be your backup pitchers and relievers as well?

As the deals begin to pick up steam in the waning moments before Saturday's MLB non-waiver trade deadline, inevitably the accompanying rumors have increased in frequency as well.

10:54am CDT - Bob Nightengale of USA Today says the White Sox are now apparently working with the Astros on a deal for right-hander Brett Myers.

Myers is a guy that I thought the San Diego Padres would go after but I haven't heard a single thing on that front. However, we didn't know that the Padres had gotten in late for Roy Oswalt after the deal to the Phillies had already been announced. You just never know who's really in or out on these deals.

The Cincinnati Reds are in first place and Reds Country is buzzing.  The Atlanta Braves are in town for a three-game series beginning tonight at Great American Ball Park.  The Reds are expecting all three games to sellout.

So, why the big crowds?

The weather forecast looks great for this weekend.  There is nothing better than a beautiful day or night at the ol’ ball orchard.

With only one full day remaining before the non-waiver trade deadline, and 60 games left to be played on their schedule, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves trailing the division leading San Diego Padres by a full seven games, and are seeing their chances of returning to the playoffs gradually disappear.

Even the line for the lone wild card spot is becoming quite crowded, and yet the Dodgers continue to push on and hope that solid play down the stretch will elevate them in the standings.

All of Dodgertown is hoping that the offense finds a spark, and General Manager Ned Colletti has alre

It had been reported over the last couple of days that the Minnesota Twins were looking to acquire a pitcher in order to bolster a bullpen that could use work, despite having the best ERA in the league today.

It appears as though the Twins have found that man. But he most certainly came with a price.

In exchange for the 26-year-old right-hander, Minnesota had to trade one of their best prospects, catcher Wilson Ramos.

This day came a little earlier than I supposed it would. Ben Sheets' season is now officially over. Possibly his career. Twice at the quarter season and half way points, I have given Sheets an overall grade. Now, instead of having two more reviews, I am forced to give my final one with his season ending surgery.

Sheets plans on having flexor-tendon surgery, mostly so that he can pitch again if he would like to; but he stated: "If I came back, I would have to feel a lot better." (San Francisco Chronicle).