What To Watch This Afternoon (7/13/08)

 LA Angels (56-38) @ Oakland Athletics (51-43), 1:05 PM, KCOP

After splitting the first two games of this series, the Angels try yet again to increase their five-game lead on their divisional rivals. But, that will be a very tough task today because the best pitcher in the American League West Division is pitching. That’s right, his name is not Rodriguez, Santana, Saunders, or Lackey. No, it’s Duchscherer. That’s pronounced duke-SHUR. Justin Duchscherer is the MLB leader in ERA with a brilliant 1.78 mark over 100+ innings pitched. The only All-Star from Oakland also has compiled a 10-5 record and a staggering 0.86 WHIP. Because semi-ace Rich Harden is now gone from this team, Duchscherer becomes the new ace of staff on the best pitching team in the MLB, by ERA. Joe Saunders, unable to make his start due to the birth of his first child, will be replaced on the mound by Dustin Moseley.

Prediction: Athletics

Atlanta Braves (44-50) @ SD Padres (37-57), 1:05 PM, Channel 4

These two teams also split the first two games of their series. Starting for Atlanta will be Jorge Campillo from Tijuana, and starting for the Pads is “the worst pitcher in baeball,” according to himself. That man is Randy Wolf, who is actually not having a terrible season on all accounts. He does have six wins and 100 strikeouts in only 109 innings pitched. Not to mention, he is on the worst team in the worst division in baseball. The Padres are the lowest-scoring team in the majors, and the best thing that could possibly happen to them this year is that they somehow find a way to be able to finish the season with 70+ wins.

Prediction: Braves

Florida Marlins (50-44) @ LA Dodgers (45-49), 1:10 PM, FSN Prime Ticket

If the Marlins win tonight, it would be their first road sweep of the Dodgers in franchise history. The Marlins, even before the All-Star break, are in the mix of a tight division race with Philly in first and NY and Florida only a half game behind. If they hope to get this last win before the break, it would be important that Hanley Ramirez return to the starting lineup, as he was forced to leave the game early last night, feeling soreness in his right shoulder. Luckily for the Dodgers, Chad Billingsley will be pitching, who has a 3-0 record and a 1.73 ERA over five games pitched against Florida. He will look to build on that previous success and bring his team within a game of Arizona. Andrew Miller, 2006 College Player of the Year, will pitch for the Fishies.

Prediction: Dodgers

Prediction Accuracy: 3-for-9 (33%)