Around The Majors- Friday

TGIF!!! Some games have already started today with some grande playoff implications. The Red Sox are looking to hold off the Angels, as Clay Buchholz made a very solid debut for Boston. The Cubs and Cardinals have started what has become an impact series in the NL Central race. The Redbirds are making a serious late run in the division of morbid mediocrity. The Cubs are really pleased now that they've resigned Carlos Zambrano to a 5 year, 90 million dollar contract extension. This takes the premier starting pitcher off of the free agent market, and gives the Cubs and Z a big sense of security.

Thursday Recap
A walkoff 3 run jack by Kurt Suzuki in the 10th lifted Oakland past the White Sox 8-5. Mike Piazza homered and drove in 2 for the A's. Detroit got a Carlos Guillen grand slam in the first off of Mike Mussina and cruised to an 8-5 win. Matsui and Abreu each drove in 2 for the Yankees. Kelvim Escobar pitched really well against his former team as the Angels edged Toronto 4-3. John Buck drove in 3 as the Royals roasted the Rangers 6-2. St Louis got a dominating performance from Adam Wainwright, and Yadier Molina and David Eckstein each drove in 3 as the Cards blasted the Brewers 8-0 to complete a 3 game sweep. Mark DeRosa went 5-5 with 4 RBI's as the Cubs killed the Reds 12-4. Carlos Ruiz drove in 2 as Cole Hamels led the Phillies past the Nationals 4-2. Pittsburgh scored 7 unanswered runs to beat the Mets 10-7. Jason Bay drove in 3 for the Bucs. Arizona edged Florida 5-4, and Bengie Molina drove in 4 as the Giants jolted the Braves 9-3. Mike Cameron drove in 3 as the Padres bested the Rockies 11-9. Furcal and Kent each drove in 2 as the Dodgers beat the Astros 6-2.

Transactions
Boston brought up Clay Buchholz for today's game. Detroit brought up one of the best prospects out there, Cameron Maybin. Ramon Santiago came up, Omar Infante went down, and Craig Monroe was designated for assignment. The Red Sox finally got rid of Wily Mo Pena, giving him along with cash to his former GM Jim Bowden in Washington for a player to be named later.

Weekend Preview
Friday
Robertson and Pettitte duel in The Bronx, Ervin Santana comes back for the Angels against Josh Beckett, and Burnett faces the Orioles. Byrd goes in Tampa, and Contreras faces Batista in Seattle. Glavine goes to Washington, Durbin faces Gorzelanny, Zito goes in Miami, Webb pitches in Atlanta, and Peavy faces the Astros.
Saturday
Clemens faces Detroit and Marshall faces the Cards at 4pm on FOX. Weaver faces Schiiling in Boston, Bonser faces the Rangers, Westbrook faces the Rays, and Danks faces Weaver (10pm FOX). Vargas faces the Reds, Owings battles Carlyle in Atlanta, and Perez goes in Washington. Moyer pitches in Pittsburgh, Oswalt faces Germano, and Billingsley faces the Rockies.
Sunday
Bonderman battles Wang, Halladay goes against Baltimore, Sabathia faces Shields, and Saunders battles Wakefield. Santana faces Texas, and Garland faces King Felix. Smoltz battles the Snakes, Lowry-Willis in Florida, Hernandez against the Nats, and Lohse-Snell. Harang battles the Brewers. Maddux faces the Astros, Francis-Tomko in LA, and Zambrano faces St Louis with a new contract (8pm ESPN).