Preview/Prediction

Crucial. Pivotal. Momentous.

Call it what you will, but this Dodgers vs. Padres series holds as much importance as any other this season for the Los Angeles Dodgers who are looking to oust the Padres from solidifying the top spot in the NL West while proving that they are genuine playoff contenders.

Who legitimately has the momentum heading into this series?

Sometimes the good news arrives just in the nick of time.

After what can be only be described as a massive struggle, the Los Angeles Dodgers are finally getting some much needed relief in their fragile bullpen.

Rookie Kenley Jansen was called up from Double-A Chattanooga on Friday, and all the hype leading up to his debut was by no means exaggerated.

With the recent trade of Dan Haren, the trade market is slowly beginning to diminish. Although Andy Pettitte wants to return now, Joe Girardi is playing the safe card and resting him. He surely doesn’t want to re-injure a pitcher of his caliber.

In order to secure a consistent one through five rotation, the Yankees should acquire a starter.

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The first base position in fantasy baseball produces a lot of depth from owners to choose from either via their drafts back in March, or a waiver wire pick-up during the season. With the second half of play underway, let's take a look at how the first basemen will finish out the season.

He may still only be 19-years old and developing in the low minors for the New York Mets, but infielder Wilmer Flores needs to be recognized more frequently from now on. He's putting up big minor league numbers that could give him an express ticket to pro baseball. 

The Mets signed Flores as an undrafted free agent in 2007 as a very young 16-year old with a lot of upside.

LOS ANGELES: There's only one thing you can do once you've gone 2-8 on a road trip. That's win the finale, which at least sends you home with some positive feelings.

The Mets need all the positive feelings they can get right now, having gotten embarrassed on an 11-game West Coast trip.

On Thursday, Mets GM Omar Minaya told reporters that Jerry Manuel is the Mets manager, and that there hasn't even been discussion regarding his future.

As the trade deadline approaches, Minnesota Twins fans are hoping the team adds another arm to the rotation to help push the Twins to an AL Central division title and beyond.

It was about this time last year when the Twins added Carl Pavano to the rotation.

Baseball analyst Ken Rosenthal reported that the world champion New York Yankees are the front runners to acquire pitcher Dan Haren.

Haren of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been a consistent pitcher since 2005.

Last season, he had an ERA of 3.14 and picked up 14 wins. Note the fact that the D-Backs had a losing season.

The Yankees have been looking for an above-average starter to fill in Andy Pettitte, who is injured, and to have an always-stockpiled starting rotation.

LOS ANGELES: Mike Pelfrey has gone through a rough stretch over his last four starts like none other in over 50 years.

Over his last 14.2 innings pitched, Pelfrey has allowed 51 baserunners. That's almost 3.5 baserunners allowed per inning, a rate that hasn't been seen since 1951.

Yes, it's been that bad for the pitcher whom some people considered the staff's ace in April and May.

His last start in Arizona, was the worst of his career, only lasting 1.1 innings. He gave up six runs on seven hits, and threw 51 pitches in the first inning.

LOS ANGELES-- The New York Mets are in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in game two of their series, trying to fine some offense.

New York will have Johan Santana on the mound facing Vincente Padilla. Padilla has beat the Mets more than any other team in his career (10), and is having a solid season for Joe Torre's club.