Around The Majors- Friday

Today, Ill recap last night's games, take a look at the standings, go through the news and notes, and preview the weekend in baseball.

Thursday Recap
Jake Westbrook got his first win since April as the Indians shut out Texas 5-0. Eric Gagne debuted as Boston beat Baltimore 7-4. Both the Yankees and White Sox scored 8 runs in the 2nd inning, but Chicago prevailed over New York 13-9. KC and the Twins were postponed because of the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Vlad Guerrero homered twice as the Angels downed the A's 6-4.
Jose Castillo hit a 2 out single in the 11th to lead the Pirates past the Cardinals 5-4. Corey Hart hit 2 home runs, but the Mets dominated Milwaukee 12-4 in a game where manager Ned Yost got into a fight with Catcher Johnny Estrada. The Phillies clubbed the Cubs 10-6, and the Padres got 10 k's from Jake Peavy and 2 jacks from Morgan Ensberg to destroy the D-Backs 11-0. Washington beat Cincy 7-3, Colorado edged Florida 4-3, and Houston outlasted Atlanta 12-11 in 14.

Standings
Boston has won 7 of 10 and leads the Yankees by 8 games in the AL East. Baltimore has won 7 of 10 and Tampa has lost 7 of 10. Detroit has lost 8 of 10 and Cleveland has lost 7 of 10. The Tigers lead the Indians by half a game in the AL Central. The Twins are 6 back. The Angels lead the Mariners by 3.5 games in the AL West. Philadelphia has won 7 of 10 and are 4 games behind the Mets in the NL East. The Braves are 4.5 back and Florida has lost 8 of 10. Milwaukee has lost 7 of 10 and are now percentage points behind the Cubs in the NL Central. St Louis is 6 back, Pittsburgh has lost 7 of 10, and the Reds have dropped 5 straight. Arizona has won 8 of 10 and are one game clear of the Dodgers and 1.5 ahead of San Diego in the NL West. LA has lost 7 of 10. Cleveland leads Seattle by a game for the AL Wild Card, the Yankees by 3, and Minnesota by 5.5. The Dodgers lead the Cubs, Brewers, and Padres by a half game for the NL Wild Card. Philadelphia is a game back, Atlanta 1.5, and the Rockies are 2.5 games back.

News and Notes
- Phil Hughes will come back and start for the Yankees against Kansas City tomorrow, and Pedro Martinez allowed 2 runs in 5+ innings for Port St Lucie yesterday. I asked ESPN Fantasy expert Eric Karabell whether Hughes was worth the fantasy start, and when Pedro will actually come back to return for the Mets:
What's the ETA for Pedro, and is Phil Hughes worth the start on Saturday?
ERIC KARABELL- In some of my leagues I would start Hughes, yes. He's still a rookie, though, so be cautious. I can't stress enough how many rookies have failed to help fantasy owners this season. As for Pedro, I am pessimistic, I have to admit. I expect him to be on strict pitch counts for weeks, and when a guy goes five innings, all it takes is one mistake and it's a bad start. Pedro could start next week.
- According to a report by Fortune Magazine, the YES Network is up for sale, but the Yankees denied that and were only looking to see how much they could get. More on this topic as time goes by.
- Marlins young starter Josh Johnson will have Tommy John Surgery and will likely miss the entire 2008 season.
- Baseball's top prospect, Arizona OF Justin Upton was called up from AA yesterday when they placed Carlos Quentin on the DL, and was a defensive replacement yesterday. Upton will start in right field tonight.
- The Phillies placed Rod Barajas on the DL and brought up Clay Condrey. Atlanta optioned prospect P Jo-Jo Reyes, the White Sox activated Mike MacDougal, Elizardo Ramirez was optioned, Rodrigo Lopez was shelved, and Matt Kata was designated.

Weekend Preview
Friday
El Duque and Carlos Zambrano duel at 220 in Wrigley in a possible playoff preview. Buehrle-Miller face off in Detroit, Wang faces the Royals, Halladay against Texas, and Sabathia-Santana in Minnesota. Jon Lester will battle King Felix in Seattle. Snell pitches against Cincy, Oswalt-Willis in Miami, Francis-Smoltz in Atlanta, and Kendrick-Gallardo in Milwaukee. Barry Bonds will try to tie the reccord in San Diego against Greg Maddux (10pm ESPN2). Billingsley battles the first place Snakes.
Saturday
Phil Hughes comes back against the KC debut of Kyle Davies. Maine-Lilly, prospect Aaron Laffey debuts against Matt Garza and the Twins, and Escobar-Blanton are all of FOX (4pm). Jimenez and Hudson battle at 7 on FOX. Vazquez-Bonderman, Kazmir against the O's, and Dice-K-Washburn finishes the AL. Hamels-Suppan, Pineiro debuting for the Cards, Harang goes against Matt Morris' debut, and Jennings-Mitre in Miami. Bonds goes against Clay Hensley, and Lowe faces Arizona.
Sunday
Meche-Mussina, Bedard in Tampa, and Carmona in Minnesota. Lackey faces Haren in Oakland, and Beckett-Batista in Seattle. Cook-James in Atlanta, Gorzelanny in Cincy, and Lowry-Germano in today's Bonds watch. Webb battles Penny in LA, and Tom Glavine goes for career win 300 at Wrigley against Jason Marquis and the Cubs. (8pm ESPN)