Heading into the 2010 season, the Los Angeles Angels were expected to be one of the best teams in baseball but they got off to a very poor start and have been trying to claw their way back into contention ever since. The Boston Red Sox, meanwhile, started the season in good form only to see the two best teams in baseball—the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays—shoot ahead of them in the AL East standings. These two teams will meet in Tuesday night action with both hoping to establish some momentum for the stretch run.

The New York Yankees are in first place in the American League East with the best record in baseball, but all of a sudden their starting pitching has become a concern. On Saturday, the Yankees’ AJ Burnett left the game early with cuts on his pitching hand and on Sunday the team lost lefthander Andy Pettitte to an apparent groin injury. Despite losing Pettitte to injury, the Yankees’ offense picked up the slack and New York beat Tampa Bay 9-5 to take the weekend series between the sport’s two best teams.

The upcoming series between the surging Reds and the underachieving Phillies is likely to be one of the best so far in 2010. Whenever one mentions the Reds, a few thoughts come to mind. Eric Davis is one, an old racist female owner is another and last but not least a big dog taking a dump on the field. Most of the times that dog and its' business would have symbolized the Red's season. Not this year my friends. This year the Cincinnati Reds are in first place and the National League Central has been turned upside down. Yes the Cardinals are only 1.5 games out and yes Albert Pujols is well Albert Pujols but what the Reds have down so far is simply amazing.

The Chicago Cubs have struggled on the road this season, but they’ll try to improve their fortunes on Monday night as they head to Texas to take on the Houston Astros in a National League Central matchup. Chicago has played .500 ball at home but a losing record away from Wriggly Field has them well off the pace in the division. Houston hasn’t really played well in any situation this year, but they’ve been competitive for the most part at Minute Maid Field. The Astros primary salvation has been solid starting pitching from at least half of their staff, with Roy Oswalt and Brett Myers putting up decent numbers despite not getting much help from their teammates. Ironically, neither pitcher may be with the team much longer as both have been subjects of trade rumors in recent weeks.

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz hasn’t had a particularly good 2010 season, but he looked great on Monday as he hit 11 homers in the final round to beat Florida’s Hanley Ramirez in the annual Home Run Derby. The event, held in conjunction with the Major League Baseball All Star Game, featured a number of heavy hitting players including Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera and Milwaukee’s Corey Hart. More notable was the players who didn’t participate--Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Jose Bautista, Adam Dunn, Joey Votto, Alex Rodriguez and defending champion Prince Fielder all sat out the event.

Happy day after 4th of July everyone. Today the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (48-33) host the Boston Red Sox (49-33). The Red Sox will send Daisuke Matsuzaka (5-3) to the mound to face Matt Garza (10-6). The books are favoring the Devil Rays and have them at -157 right now. That is a hefty price to pay in my opinion in a game where both teams are closely matched.