Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen was a major reason they won consecutive NL pennants. Some improvement from the relievers could help them show they still have championship potential. The Phillies will try to make things easier on themselves and beat the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds for a ninth time in 11 meetings at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night. Philadelphia saw its bullpen post a 3.55 ERA over the past two seasons, ranking second in the NL in that span. That ERA has risen to 3.94 this season, and the Phillies are third in the East, 5 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta. Closer Brad Lidge, who had 72 saves over the previous two years, has blown three straight save opportunities in his last five appearances, posting an 11.57 ERA during that stretch. He was booed by the home fans for blowing another save Thursday before Brian Schneider’s homer clinched a 4-3, 12-inning win over the Reds in the opener of this four-game set.

Phillies starter Joe Blanton will try to ease the pressure on the bullpen by pitching deep into a fifth consecutive start. The right-hander has reached at least the seventh inning in each of his last four outings, going 2-0 with a 4.55 ERA. That stretch includes a start at Cincinnati on June 29, when Blanton allowed three runs in 7 2-3 innings before Lidge blew the save by giving up three runs in the ninth. The Phillies won 9-6 in 10 innings. A big inning victimized Blanton on Sunday, when he didn’t get a decision in a 8-5 loss at Pittsburgh. He gave up five runs - three in the Pirates’ six-run seventh - over 6 1-3 innings. Blanton is 2-0 with a 3.92 ERA in three starts against the Reds. Cincinnati’s Joey Votto, who connected for his league-leading 22nd homer Thursday, will try to continue his hot hitting a day after being voted to Tuesday’s All-Star game via the final fan vote.

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Minnesota Twins vs Detroit Tigers Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Detroit Tigers have lost six of their nine meetings with the Minnesota Twins this season, but they have to like their chances this weekend at home, especially if one of the league’s best hitters isn’t at full strength. Justin Verlander takes the mound for the AL Central leaders Friday when they open a three-game series against the Twins, who may be without Justin Morneau. Detroit has won five of six on its homestand to improve its home record to an AL-best 30-12. The Tigers lead second-place Chicago by one-half game and are two in front of Minnesota. The Tigers are coming off a three-game sweep of Baltimore, concluding with a 4-2 win Wednesday. Miguel Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 16 games. He’s batting .467 with 13 RBIs in his last 12 games, with nine of his 21 hits in that span going for extra bases.

This series could feature two of the AL’s leading hitters in Cabrera and Morneau, although the latter sat out an 8-1 loss to Toronto on Thursday because of a mild concussion after he was accidentally kneed in the head the previous night. Morneau, who has 18 homers and 56 RBIs this season, has batted .360 in seven games against the Tigers. Gardenhire’s club could certainly use Morneau’s bat against Verlander, who has a 1.81 ERA in his last seven home starts. The right-hander gave up one run and struck out 10 in seven innings of a 6-1 win over Seattle on Saturday - his fifth victory in six starts overall. Verlander lost to Minnesota at home on April 27, giving up one unearned run and four hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 2-0 defeat. Morneau is 9 for 33 against Verlander, but has four doubles and two home runs in their matchups. The Twins, who led the division by 4 1/2 games less than a month ago, have lost 11 of 16 including two of three at Toronto this week.

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San Francisco Giants vs Washington Nationals Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

Stephen Strasburg is learning he can’t do it all himself for the last-place Washington Nationals. He would certainly appreciate some offensive support from his teammates. The phenom is looking to win for the first time in almost a month as the Nationals open a three-game series against the hot-hitting San Francisco Giants on Friday night. Strasburg is 0-2 with a 2.59 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 24 1-3 innings over his last four starts since beating Cleveland on June 13. The right-hander has received one total run of support in that stretch, and none for three straight games. Washington’s offense showed signs of improvement Saturday, but not until after Strasburg exited a 6-5 win over the New York Mets. The lineup produced three runs in the ninth to clinch the victory, but Strasburg received no support again. He allowed two runs in five innings after struggling through a 37-pitch opening inning.

The Nationals are putting together a strong offensive stretch, hitting .295 - .319 with runners in scoring position - with eight homers and 25 runs in five games. Despite that surge, Washington failed to complete a three-game sweep of San Diego by falling 7-1 on Thursday. Strasburg may be in for one of his toughest tests yet when he faces San Francisco, winner of four straight overall and six of seven at Washington. The Giants enter this series following a four-game sweep at Milwaukee, during which they hit .325 with eight homers and 36 runs. They collected 16 hits with three homers in a 9-3 victory Friday. While Strasburg is gaining notoriety as one of the top young arms in baseball, fellow rookie Buster Posey is putting together his own impressive showing at the plate. Posey has a .336 average with six homers and 20 RBIs in 35 games since being recalled from the minors May 29.

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Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Streaming

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7:07 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

All the injuries finally appear to be catching up to the Boston Red Sox. Fortunately for Boston, few opponents are catching up to Jon Lester’s pitches. Lester seeks to help the injury-riddled Red Sox avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season Friday night when they open their final series before the All-Star break against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Boston went a major league-best 30-12 from May 18-July 3 - a feat made more impressive by its ever-growing injury list. Eleven Red Sox are on the DL, including former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury, catchers Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek, and starting pitchers Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. Several players who weren’t even on the opening day roster have now been pressed into regular duty, including Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava, Eric Patterson and Kevin Cash.

The makeshift lineup has competed valiantly but appeared to hit a wall this week, as Boston dropped a series finale at home to Baltimore before getting swept in three games at Tampa. The Red Sox have 12 runs during the four-game skid, their longest since dropping a season-high five in a row April 15-19. Having Lester on the mound can’t hurt. The left-hander went 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in his first three starts but is 10-1 with a 1.84 ERA over his last 14 outings to earn his first All-Star appearance. He picked up his first win April 28 at Toronto, striking out a season-high 11 while limiting the Blue Jays to one hit and two walks over seven innings of a 2-0 victory. Lester has only struck out more batters once in his career - he fanned 12 Blue Jays in an 8-2 win at Rogers Centre on May 31, 2009.

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Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves enter a three-game set against the second-place New York Mets on Friday night having won 14 of their last 18 series. To extend that surge heading into the All-Star break, the Braves will have to avoid a repeat of their previous visit to Citi Field. A slow start gave little indication of Atlanta having any success as it dropped 14 of 22, including all three games in New York from April 23-25. That sweep was part of an 0-7 road trip - the franchise’s worst in 61 years - and first nine-game losing streak since 2006. Since ending that skid, the Braves are a major league-best 42-21, and have a three-game lead over the Mets. Atlanta has helped its cause with three straight series victories over division rivals, and took two of three in Philadelphia earlier this week after dropping eight of its previous 13 road games. Martin Prado had five hits and three homers during the wins over the Phillies to boost his NL-leading average to .336. The second baseman, who’s heading to his first All-Star game next week, enters the matchup with the Mets batting .369 in his last 38 games.

While Prado has been consistent lately, the team he’ll face next hasn’t. New York has dropped 10 of 18, gone winless in three consecutive series, and alternated losses and wins in its last seven home games. The Mets bench took a hit when Fernando Tatis was sent to the disabled list Monday with a sprained right shoulder, leaving the team with one right-handed batter in reserve - catcher Henry Blanco. That could have New York making a move before the series, especially with left-handers going 2 for 26 this season against Braves closer Billy Wagner. Despite injuries and inconsistency, Manuel’s team managed to win its sixth consecutive series at Citi Field on June 27 but that run ended with Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Cincinnati. R.A. Dickey will try to help New York bounce back by winning his first career start against the Braves. Following his worst performance of the season, the knuckleballer nearly earned his seventh victory in eight starts by allowing two unearned runs in seven innings Saturday at Washington. The Mets bullpen, though, gave up four runs in the final two frames of a 6-5 loss.

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Cleveland Indians vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Rays try to equal a season high with their seventh straight victory while looking to continue their home success over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. After going 11-14 in June, Tampa Bay has won seven of eight to open July. The Rays’ surge began by handling a pair of probable postseason contenders, as they took three of four against Minnesota and then swept Boston. Tampa Bay won 5-2 over the last-place Indians on Thursday. Crawford hit a pair of two-run homers as Tampa Bay won its sixth straight at home over Cleveland, which has lost three in a row and five of seven. The Rays won seven in a row April 12-19. Voted to start in next week’s All-Star game, Crawford has helped fuel the Rays’ recent success, batting .405 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in eight games. Crawford is 4 for 9 in two games against Cleveland this season and 3 for 9 versus scheduled starter Fausto Carmona. Despite a .500 record, Carmona is the Indians’ lone All-Star representative. The right-hander has turned things around after he followed a 19-win effort in 2007 with a combined 13-19 record the past two seasons.

Carmona, who allowed three runs in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Oakland on Sunday, is 2-1 with a 6.17 ERA in five starts against the Rays. He gave up two runs and struck out seven in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-3, 11-inning loss at Tampa on May 17. James Shields will try again for his first victory over the Indians after going 0-3 with a 3.73 ERA in five starts. He allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 7-4 win at Minnesota on Sunday. Michael Brantley and Andy Marte each homered Thursday for the Indians, who have scored six runs during their three-game skid. After going 0 for 4 in the series opener, Cleveland’s Jhonny Peralta is 5 for 36 in his last nine games. However, the third baseman is 6 for 13 with three homers against Shields.

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St. Louis Cardinals vs Houston Astros Live Streaming

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8:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The St. Louis Cardinals were swept this week for just the third time in the first half, but they’ll feel good about their chances of stopping their slide when Adam Wainwright takes the mound. The Houston Astros should feel great about continuing their winning streak by handing the ball to Bud Norris. Two pitchers who have had their opponents’ number square off Friday night at Minute Maid Park, where Wainwright looks to sustain his dominance of the Astros while Norris tries to extend his inexplicable success against St. Louis. The Astros have won four of six from the Cardinals this season - all at Busch Stadium - and swept St. Louis during a three-game set May 11-13. In that series, though, Houston didn’t have to face Wainwright. The right-hander, second in the NL in wins, is 8-1 with a 1.54 ERA in 10 starts against the Astros. Much of that success stems from his dominance of two of Houston’s biggest bats. Lance Berkman - who has five homers in his past four games - is 6 for 25 with nine strikeouts against Wainwright, while Carlos Lee is 1 for 23.

Wainwright has stifled more than a few hitters lately. After tossing six innings in an 8-0 win over Arizona on June 29, Wainwright went the distance and struck out nine in a 7-1 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday - the same day he learned he made his first All-Star team. Norris has certainly been zeroed in against the Cardinals. The right-hander is 8-8 with a 5.25 ERA in his career, but he’s 4-0 with a 0.35 ERA in four starts versus St. Louis. He went eight innings and gave up one run while striking out eight in a 4-1 win May 13. Yadier Molina and Ryan Ludwick have had some success against Norris, but Albert Pujols - who jokingly referred to him as “Chuck Norris” - is 2 for 11. Houston got an impressive performance Thursday from the pitcher who has been its ace for years. Roy Oswalt pitched a one-hitter and Berkman’s homers provided the offense in a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh, helping the Astros complete a three-game sweep.

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Baltimore Orioles vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

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8:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Texas Rangers have a very comfortable lead in the AL West, which means their recent slump isn’t causing too much concern in the clubhouse. The Rangers will try to bounce back from a loss to the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.Texas fell 6-4 to Baltimore on Thursday in the opener of this four-game series but maintained its 5 1/2-game lead over the Angels. The Rangers have the largest cushion of any division leader. They led 4-0 after four innings before the Orioles capped their rally by scoring three times in the eighth, taking the lead on a bases-loaded walk by Darren Oliver. The bases were also loaded when Oliver hit Felix Pie to tie the game. Texas’ bullpen came in with a 4-1 record and 1.94 ERA in its previous 17 appearances. The Rangers, who have lost six of 10, will need to win their remaining three games to set a franchise record for victories before the All-Star break, set by the 1979 club that was 52-39.

Josh Hamilton will try to help Texas bounce back after he hit a homer and two doubles Thursday to extend his home hitting streak to 28 games. It’s the second-longest home streak in club history behind Al Oliver’s 30 games in 1981. The Rangers will send Scott Feldman to the mound Friday after he gave up five runs in each of his last three starts, losing the past two. He lasted six innings in a 5-3 defeat to the White Sox on Sunday. The right-hander allowed four runs and a season-high 12 hits in six innings of a 13-7 win over the Orioles on May 20. He’s won all four of his starts against Baltimore. Feldman was opposed in May by Friday’s scheduled starter Brian Matusz, who gave up seven runs in 2 1-3 innings. Matusz recorded his first win since April 18 on Sunday, giving up two hits and striking out eight over seven scoreless innings to beat Boston 6-1. The left-hander had lost his previous nine decisions and the Orioles had won once in his previous 13 outings, although he had eight quality starts during that stretch.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers Live Streaming

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8:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a seemingly interminable losing streak in Milwaukee during their last visit, and actually left with a series victory. Any success away from home seems like a distant memory right now. Pittsburgh has lost 21 of 23 road games since late May, but the Brewers head into Friday night’s series opener at Miller Park with their own issues after suffering a four-game home sweep. The Pirates had lost 22 consecutive games in Milwaukee before twice beating Trevor Hoffman in late April, earning two late-inning victories to end their lengthy hex at Miller Park. Every other opposing venue has been equally inhospitable for Pittsburgh over the past six weeks. The Pirates have been outscored 125-54 while going 2-21 away from home since May 26. They delivered their most inept offensive performance yet Thursday afternoon in Houston, recording one hit in a 2-0 loss to Roy Oswalt and the Astros.

While Milwaukee would typically be thrilled to host Pittsburgh, it’ll have some serious work to do to erase the memories of its series this week with San Francisco. The Brewers had won 9 of 14 prior to the Giants’ visit, but were outscored 36-7 in a four-game sweep that concluded with a 9-3 loss Thursday. Milwaukee may have a good chance to get its offense going against Paul Maholm. Maholm delivered his second disastrous outing in his last three Saturday against Philadelphia, allowing eight runs and 10 hits over three innings of a 12-4 loss. The left-hander surrendered seven runs and recorded only three outs in a 13-3 loss at Texas on June 23. Maholm is 1-6 with a 5.27 ERA in 13 starts against Milwaukee since 2007. He’s allowed four runs over seven innings in each of two starts versus the Brewers this season. One Brewer who won’t relish facing Maholm is Prince Fielder. Milwaukee’s first baseman is 3 for 40 with 12 strikeouts against the Pirates’ lefty.

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Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox Live Streaming

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8:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

To take the AL Central lead heading into the All-Star break, the Chicago White Sox will likely need to cool off another surging club, the Kansas City Royals. As the teams open a three-game series, the White Sox will try to run their win streak to six by denying the Royals a season-high fourth straight victory Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Chicago enters the matchup one-half game behind division-leading Detroit thanks to its 22-5 record since June 8. The White Sox earned their 11th home win in 12 tries with Thursday’s 1-0 victory over the Angels. With its fifth shutout in less than a month, Chicago lowered its ERA over the last 27 games to 2.39. Friday’s scheduled starter Mark Buehrle is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA over his last five starts but couldn’t end his recent struggles against Kansas City . The Royals dealt Buehrle the lone loss in that span June 28. The veteran left-hander is 20-11 with a 3.67 ERA in 43 career starts against the Royals but has lost his last three, including both matchups this season.

After falling to Kansas City, he allowed three runs and five hits over seven innings in a 5-3 road win Sunday over a hot-hitting Texas team. He’ll face another Friday as the Royals are batting .300 during their current 10-3 stretch, raising their major league-best average to .283. Included in that run is a home series win over the White Sox at the end of June. However, the status of one of their contributors, Jose Guillen, is unknown because of a strained left quad, suffered on Tuesday. The Royals outfielder, hitting .327 since June 3, said he wants to return to the field.Several other Royals are swinging hot bats. David DeJesus is batting .385 since May 12, Former White Sox player Scott Podsednik is hitting .354 in his last 15 games, and Billy Butler.349 over his past 23. That support has helped Bruce Chen to a 4-2 record since he joined the rotation May 30, but he’s aided himself with a 2.19 ERA in back-to-back victories. He retired the first 18 batters he faced in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Angels.

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Los Angeles Angels vs Oakland Athletics Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Los Angeles Angels stumble into Oakland with their offense embroiled in a major slump, but having the red-hot Joel Pineiro on the mound may be enough for them to avoid a fifth straight loss. Pineiro already has a shutout against the Athletics this year, and he’ll be looking to win a seventh straight start overall for the first time in his career as the AL West rivals open a three-game set Friday night. Los Angeles began its road trip by totaling five runs during the Chicago White Sox’s four-game sweep this week, and its lineup has rarely looked worse than it did Thursday. The Angels matched a season low with two hits against Chicago’s John Danks in a 1-0 loss, getting shut out for the second time in 2010. They’ve been held to two or fewer runs seven times in eight games this month.

There has been nothing wrong Pineiro’s performance lately. The right-hander has a 2.08 ERA while winning his last six starts, the first time he’s done that since June and July of 2003 with Seattle. Pineiro worked seven innings in an 11-0 win over Kansas City on Sunday. On May 16, he was even better against the A’s, pitching a four-hitter for his sixth career shutout in a 4-0 win. Pineiro hasn’t started at Oakland since 2006, when he went 0-3 with a 12.51 ERA there while pitching for the Mariners, but the A’s also are struggling offensively entering this series.Oakland had Thursday off after losing three straight to the Yankees at home, totaling four runs and 16 hits. Catcher Kurt Suzuki is 3 for 28 in his last seven games, while Daric Barton is hitless in 12 at-bats in his last four contests.

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San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies Live Streaming

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9:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

With another successful series against the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, the Colorado Rockies could head into the All-Star break tied atop the division. Jorge De La Rosa makes his first start in more than two months Friday night at Coors Field as the Rockies look to further cut into the Padres’ lead with a fifth consecutive victory. Colorado has won eight of 10 to pull within three games of San Diego in the West. A sweep of the Padres would leave the teams tied entering the break. Accomplishing that feat appears realistic. The Rockies are 6-3 this season against the Padres, and have won all three series between the teams, including April 9-11 at Coors. Colorado current hot streak started by taking two of three at San Diego last week. After sweeping St. Louis, the Rockies now have a chance to match their longest winning stretch of the season. Jason Giambi went 7 for 10 against the Cardinals, including 4 for 4 with two RBIs in Thursday’s 4-2 victory.

Center fielder Dexter Fowler is 14 for 28 with three doubles and four triples in his last seven games, but 5 for 29 against the Padres this season. Colorado has averaged 6.8 runs in its last 10 games, but pitching could prove the difference this weekend. Originally projected to front the rotation alongside Ubaldo Jimenez, De La Rosa will come off the disabled list from a finger injury Friday to start for the first time since April 25. De La Rosa, 19-4 over 26 starts prior to his injury, went 1-2 with a 5.52 ERA and struck out 15 in 14 2-3 innings during a rehab stint at Triple-A Colorado Springs. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 5.30 ERA in seven career starts versus San Diego. The win came in his season debut April 9, when he allowed one hit and struck out nine in seven innings of a 7-0 home win.The Padres have won four of six overall, but needed a 7-1 victory Thursday to avoid a sweep at Washington. Mat Latos threw seven strong innings to earn the win and hit one of the Padres’ four home runs.

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Florida Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live Streaming

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9:40 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

The Florida Marlins were disappointed by how they started their final series before the All-Star break, but they have good reason to believe they can bounce back with Ricky Nolasco on the mound. Nolasco goes for his fourth straight win when the Marlins continue a four-game road set against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Florida fell 10 games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East after suffering a 10-4 loss to Arizona on Thursday. The defeat dropped the Marlins to 5-5 during a stretch of 13 straight games outside of Florida, which they opened by winning two of three against the New York Mets in Puerto Rico - contests officially considered home games for the Marlins. Florida had three errors Thursday and gave up a double-digit run total for the fourth time this year - one night after shutting out the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While the Marlins have been inconsistent recently, Nolasco certainly hasn’t, winning his last three starts including one in Puerto Rico and a victory in Atlanta on Sunday. He gave up two runs and struck out a season-high 11 in the 3-2 win over the Braves. A fourth straight win would tie the longest streak of the right-hander’s career - set last season. Nolasco is 5-1 with a 3.53 ERA in five starts against Arizona. He’ll need to be wary of shortstop Stephen Drew, who is 8 for 16 with three homers and two doubled against him. Nolasco will seek to hand the Diamondbacks their sixth loss in seven games after Arizona snapped a five-game losing streak Thursday. The Diamondbacks were outscored 40-13 during their slide, but matched a season high with 15 hits - four apiece by Kelly Johnson and Geraldo Parra - in the series opener.

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New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners Live Streaming

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10:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

Cliff Lee has made a habit of beating the New York Yankees. Seattle’s ace gets a second chance to do so in just over a week when the Mariners attempt to halt the Yankees’ six-game winning streak Friday night. Lee is 7-2 with a 3.27 ERA in his last nine starts against the Yankees, including Philadelphia’s only two victories in last year’s World Series. The left-hander continued that success June 29, throwing an eight-hitter in a 7-4 victory at Yankee Stadium. It was the third consecutive complete game from Lee, who has won four starts in a row while posting a 1.29 ERA. He extended his winning streak Sunday, allowing one run and striking out 11 in eight innings to defeat Detroit 8-1 on the road. The Mariners haven’t won since, losing four in a row after falling 3-1 in the opener of this four-game set Thursday. They may be in for a more significant loss with Lee’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, possibly making him a candidate to be dealt prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Yankees might be a potential suitor for the two-time All-Star.

Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, might be more concerned with ending New York’s season high-tying win streak. The Yankees have also won a season-best five in a row on the road and lead the AL East by two games over Tampa Bay. They’ll again counter Lee with Phil Hughes, one of eight Yankees named to Tuesday’s All-Star game. Hughes, one of three members of the rotation with at least 10 victories, didn’t fare well opposite Lee on June 29, surrendering seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings. His next start was also a struggle, as he gave up five runs while serving up three homers in six innings of a 7-6, 10-inning win over Toronto on Sunday. A start on the road could help Hughes, as he is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 38 2-3 innings over six outings. Nick Swisher is looking to continue his hot hitting a day after becoming the last Yankee named to the All-Star game by winning a final fan vote. The right fielder is hitting .425 with three homers over the last 10 games and backed up his first All-Star nod by collecting four hits Thursday. Swisher homered twice off Lee in last month’s meeting.

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Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming

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10:10 pm EDT Fri Jul 9, 2010

If Rafael Furcal keeps hitting the way he has of late, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a good chance to continue their home success over the Chicago Cubs this weekend. Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming.The All-Star shortstop looks to stay hot as the Dodgers try for a second straight victory over the Cubs on Friday night. A day after his 10-game hitting was snapped in a loss to Florida, Furcal went 3 for 3 and hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning of Los Angeles’ 3-2 win over Chicago on Thursday night. Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming. While the Dodgers have won three times in 10 home games, they’ve earned victories in six of eight against the Cubs at Chavez Ravine. Chicago has not won a series at Los Angeles since 2006. Furcal could keep that streak alive with another big series. He is 25 for 50 with four homers and 15 RBIs in his last 12 games. He’s recorded nine multi-hit games during that span while dealing with the recent death of his father.

Furcal, however, is 2 for 11 with a homer against scheduled starter Ted Lilly. After having their three-game winning streak snapped, the Cubs hope Lilly’s career success against the Dodgers will help him bounce back from his worst outing of the season. Lilly, 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA in six starts versus Los Angeles, allowed three hits in seven innings of a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers on May 27. The left-hander wasn’t nearly as sharp while giving up nine runs and four homers in 6 2-3 innings of a 14-3 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. The 2.31 average runs of support the Cubs have given Lilly this season is the lowest in the majors. That doesn’t bode well for Friday considering Chicago has averaged 1.7 runs over its last eight games at Dodger Stadium.

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