Matt Fargo’s Diamond Preview – A look at the upcoming week in baseball

Monday, June 23rd

Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox 7:05 PM ET

A battle of first place teams takes place on Monday. Arizona remains 3.5 games in front of the Dodgers in the National League West but it has been a struggle for the Diamondbacks. Since May 20th, Arizona is a dismal 11-21 over its last 32 games including a sweep at the hands of the Twins over the weekend. Boston avoided a sweep against St. Louis thanks to an extra-inning win on Sunday. Despite losing two of three, Boston still owns the best home record in the American League.

Tuesday, June 24th

St. Louis Cardinals at Detroit Tigers 7:05 PM ET

Interleague play continues including this matchup of teams trying to keep pace in their respective divisions. The Cardinals are coming off a big series win at Boston to remain 4.5 games back of Chicago while Detroit is playing its best baseball of the season with wins in 12 of its last 15 games. The Tigers are just five games back. The pitching duel should be great with the Cardinals going with Braden Looper and the Tigers countering with Kenny Rogers. Both pitchers have identical 1.23 ERA’s over their last three starts.

Wednesday, June 25th

Cincinnati Reds at Toronto Blue Jays 7:05 PM ET

The best pitching matchup of the night takes place north of the border as Aaron Harang looks to turn things around while Roy Halladay is just happy to be on the mound. Harang is one of the better pitchers but is struggling with a 3-10 record to go along with a 4.33 ERA. Cincinnati has dropped six of his last seven starts. Halladay meanwhile is thankful after taking a line drive to the right temple, forcing him to leave his last start. Everything checked out and he will look to improve upon his 2.90 ERA which is 6th in the A.L.

Thursday, June 26th

Tampa Bay Rays at Florida Marlins 12:10 PM ET

The Florida rivals conclude their three-game set Thursday afternoon. The surprising Rays entered the week just a game and a half out of first place in the American League East while Florida remains just a game back in the National League East. Tampa Bay took two of three in the first meeting this season and this pitching matchup between Matt Garza and Mark Hendrickson is a rematch of the game 12 days ago. Both pitched well but it was Garza who got the win however he comes in 1-3 with a 6.25 ERA on the road.

Friday, June 27th

New York Mets at New York Yankees 2:05 PM ET

The final edition of the 2008 subway series starts on Friday. This game is a makeup of the rainout from May 16th and after this game, the two head from the Bronx to Queens to start the three-game set at Shea Stadium with gametime at 8:10. The Mets took the two games in the first series last month but right now it is the Yankees who are playing the best baseball. They have won eight of their last 10 games and are 21-10 over their last 31 games. The Mets are back to .500 but are still stuck in neutral.