Yankee Stadium to say farewell while welcoming new stars

ESPN.com

Updated: July 6, 2008

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Dustin Pedroia is one of seven first-time All-Stars in the starting lineups.

FRESH FACES

By Mark Simon, ESPN Research

This year's All-Star Game has its share of newcomers in the starting lineups. Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton and Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez head the class of seven first-time elected starters, including two apiece from the Red Sox and Cubs.

MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
• Twins at Red Sox, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

Hamilton and Ramirez are legitimate MVP candidates and will be players to watch next week at Yankee Stadium.

For Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto and Ryan Braun, there will be an extra-special aspect to the game. Each will be making his Yankee Stadium debut.

First-time All-Stars (Starters)
Player Position Noteworthy
Josh Hamilton OF First Rangers outfielder elected to start since Juan Gonzalez (1998)
Dustin Pedroia 2B Red Sox have starter at second for second time in three seasons.
Kevin Youkilis 1B Since 1970, Boston 1Bs hitting .417 with 2 HR, 10 H in All-Star Game.
Ryan Braun OF Sixth different Brewer elected to start, first in outfield
Kosuke Fukudome OF Along with Soto, first rookies to start since Ichiro Suzuki (2001)
Hanley Ramirez SS Joins Gary Sheffield as only Marlins player elected to start
Geovany Soto C First Cubs C to start All-Star Game since Gabby Hartnett in the 1930s

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: July 3 | July 2 | July 1 | June 30 | June 29 | June 26

FORWARD THINKING: MONDAY

Daisuke Matsuzaka • Twins at Red Sox, 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN: Walks and short outings keep following Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-1, 3.12 ERA). He has not gone longer than five innings in any of his past four starts and walked five in his most recent outing. Scott Baker (5-2, 3.60 ERA) has won his past three games.

Pedro Martinez • Mets at Phillies, 7:05 p.m. ET: Pedro Martinez (2-2, 7.39 ERA) has given up at least five runs and six hits in each of his past three outings. Adam Eaton (3-6, 4.79 ERA) will be facing the Mets for the third time this season. He is 0-0 with a 5.73 ERA against them.

Ervin Santana • Angels at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. ET: Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.28 ERA) will try for a third time to get his 10th win of the season. He walked away with a no-decision in his two previous attempts. Luis Mendoza (1-2, 4.64 ERA) was beat around by the Yankees in his most recent outing, giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Monday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: MONDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: John Kruk, Eric Young, Buck Showalter
12 a.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Steve Berthiaume
Analysts: John Kruk, Eric Young, Buck Showalter

BBTN MINUTE: ALL-STAR SURPRISES

THURSDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
J.J. Hardy• With all the news about C.C. Sabathia, don't forget what J.J. Hardy did -- two homers and four RBIs in a win against Pittsburgh.
BAD
Aaron Cook• Aaron Cook was named to the All-Star team. He didn't pitch like one against the Marlins, giving up 11 hits and seven runs in the loss.
UGLY
Jim Johnson• Jim Johnson gave up three hits, four runs and a walk while retiring just two hitters in relief in a loss against the Rangers.

SUNDAY DOUBLE PLAY

Every Sunday on the 12:30 p.m. ET "Baseball Tonight" show, Karl Ravech, John Kruk and Steve Phillips take part in the Sunday Double Play competition. Each of them selects a starting pitcher and a hitter to play for Sunday's games. They compete in three categories -- wins, hits and home runs -- based on the results of their selections. The results are cumulative for the season.

This Sunday's pitcher selections and results:

John: Jeff Suppan (No-decision vs. Pirates)
Steve: Edinson Volquez (win vs. Nationals)
Karl: Matt Cain (loss vs. Dodgers)

This Sunday's hitter selections and results:

John: J.J. Hardy (3 hits, 2 HRs vs. Pirates)
Steve: Matt Holliday (2 hits, 0 HRs vs. Marlins)
Karl: Jason Giambi (0 hits, 0 HRs vs. Red Sox)

Here are the standings after the first 14 Sundays:

Wins Hits HRs
John 5 17 3
Steve 6 15 0
Karl 7 12 3

Tune in to "Baseball Tonight" at 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday for the latest Sunday Double Play selections.

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME"

Ballgame It's the 100th anniversary of baseball's most famous tune, and "Baseball Tonight" has asked nine popular musical artists to record a rendition of the song to be used in a battle of the bands. The field has been trimmed to three. Take a listen and vote on your favorite one. The winner will be announced on July 13.

FANTASY: PREVIEW OF MONDAY'S GAMES

Adam Morrison examines the pitching matchups in store for the nine games on Monday's schedule.

Adam also looks at current injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Monday's games. Daily Notes