Around The Majors- Friday

The hour is late, so I'll just preview the weekend and tell you that the Cubs acquired Steve Trachsel from the Orioles in exchange for Pitcher Rocky Cherry and IF Scott Moore. The Cardinals got a bench player in Russell Branyan from the Phillies for a PTBNL.

Friday
Already today, in the first of a day/doubleheader Ross Gload drove in 3 as the Royals took out the Twins 9-4. Also Hunter Pence homered twice and drove in 5 as the Astros crushed the Cubs 6-1. Wandy Rodriguez threw six shutout innings for Houston.
Tonight, Boston sends 16 game winner Tim Wakefield to get out of their losing ways against Orioles prospect Radhames Liz. Cleveland looks to stay hot as the send Fausto Carmona to the hill against Mark Buehrle and the White Sox. Hughes and Sonnanstine are two youngsters going at it in The Bronx, and Seattle looks to break their 6 game skid when they pitch Jarrod Washburn against Jays starter Shawn Marcum. Meche and Baker finish the twinbill, Saunders faces the Rangers, and the Tigers have to combat Joe Blanton and the A's.
Brian Kendrick leads the red hot Phillies into battle against Sergio Mitre and Florida. Maine and Hudson open up a huge series in Atlanta, and Yovani Gallardo looks to keep the Brewers in the race as the play the Pirates. Anthony Reyes goes for the Cardinals against the Reds, Livan Hernandez faces Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies, and David Wells comes back to Petco as the Dodgers open up a huge set against San Diego.

Saturday
Ian Kennedy makes his ML debut against Tampa Bay and Jason Marquis and the Cubs face Houston.Batista and McGowan go in Toronto. Today's 4pm FOX games include the Mets taking on Chuck James and Atlanta, Kelvim Escobar and the Angels going up against the debut of Edinson Volquez, and a great Verlander-Haren duel in Oakland. Great young matchup in Boston as Garrett Olson faces Clay Buchholz. Vazquez faces Byrd in Cleveland, and Lowe faces Peavy at 10pm regional on FOX.

Sunday
Jake Westbrook has been hot as of late, he faces Jose Contreras and the White Sox. Pettitte battles the Rays, Weaver faces Burnett in Toronto, and Jon Lester returns to battle Daniel Cabrera and Baltimore. Robertson faces Gaudin in Oakland, and John Lackey battles Texas (8pm ESPN2) Glavine and Smoltz face off in Atlanta, Hamles goes in Miami, Gorzelanny faces Suppan, and Rich Hill faces the Astros. Billingsley and Germano go in San Diego, and Brandon Webb goes against Colorado.