Manny, Junior to make debuts with Dodgers and White Sox
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Larry Goren/Icon SMI
Manny Ramirez gives the Dodgers a threat in the middle of their lineup.
WEEKEND PREVIEW
By Mark Simon, ESPN Research
This will be a interesting weekend, with some stars in new places. Manny Ramirez debuts with the Dodgers, Ken Griffey Jr. with the White Sox."SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL" |
| • Phillies at Cardinals, 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN |
Manny's first weekend
• Diamondbacks at Dodgers The Dodgers picked the right time to get Manny Ramirez. Historically, August is the month in which Ramirez hits best. It will be interesting to see how he fares if he shows up as expected Friday. His debut with the Dodgers could come against a familiar face, Randy Johnson. Ramirez has struck out in three of his past four at-bats against Johnson, but does have five home runs in 45 at-bats against him in regular season play.| Manny Ramirez, by month over his career | ||
| Month | BA | SLG |
| August | .326 | .600 |
| September | .316 | .597 |
| April | 314 | .575 |
| May | .309 | .566 |
| July | .308 | .621 |
| June | .300 | .569 |
Junior's first weekend
• White Sox at Royals Likewise, the timing is also good for the White Sox to get Griffey. Griffey has had a lot of success the past two seasons in which he's faced the Royals. Granted, those were 1999 and 2006, but if Griffey can channel some of that old magic, he'll pay immediate dividends.| Ken Griffey Jr., previous 15 games vs. Royals | ||
| 1999 (SEA) | 2006 (CIN) | |
| BA | .457 | .333 |
| HR | 7 | 3 |
| RBI | 18 | 5 |
| Games | 12 | 3 |
Best of the rest
The Cardinals and Phillies are neck-and-neck in the NL wild card race, so this series, with the finale on "Sunday Night Baseball," is as an important one. Howard has always found St. Louis to his liking. He'll get a chance to add to his impressive numbers this weekend against three right-handers in Kyle Lohse, Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer.| Ryan Howard, at Busch Stadium | |
| BA | .367 |
| HR | 5 |
| RBIs | 23 |
| Games | 12 |
BBTN ON THE AIR: SUNDAY
| TIME | WHO'S ON? |
| 7 p.m. ET ESPN |
Host: Steve Berthiaume Analysts: John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Eduardo Perez |
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THURSDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES
| GOOD |
 • Jim Edmonds helped the Cubs finish off a four-game sweep of the Brewers at Miller Park by hitting two homers, driving home five and scoring three runs in an 11-4 win. |
BAD |
 • Andy Pettitte was knocked around by the Angels in a 12-6 loss. Pettitte was touched for 11 hits and nine runs in 5 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. |
UGLY |
 • Jorge De La Rosa retired just five hitters in his shortest outing of the season. He gave up five hits, four walks and seven runs in a 12-2 loss against the Marlins. |
FANTASY: PREVIEW OF FRIDAY'S GAMES
Tristan Cockcroft examines the pitching matchups in store for the 15 games on Friday's schedule.
Tristan also looks at current injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Friday's games. Daily Notes
NEWS AND NOTES
• Alfonso Soriano had a strong series in the Cubs' sweep of the Brewers. Soriano, activated from the disabled list on July 24, went 7-for-16 with a pair of homers.
• Michael Young was back in the lineup after missing one game because of a fractured right ring finger … Milton Bradley, meanwhile, missed his second consecutive game with a strained left quadriceps muscle. The Rangers hope to have Bradley back in the lineup Friday.
THIS DATE IN MLB HISTORY (AUGUST 1)
• 1941:At the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott hit his 500th career home run. It came against the Braves' Johnny Hutchings as the Giants beat Boston, 9-2. Ott was the third major leaguer to accomplish this career milestone.
• 1978: Against Atlanta pitchers Larry McWilliams and Gene Garber, Pete Rose went 0-for-4, ending his 44-game hitting streak as the Braves beat the Reds, 16-4. • 1986: Twins' hurler Bert Blyleven became the 10th major leaguer to record 3,000 strikeouts as he two-hits the A's, 10-1. • 2005: Rafael Palmeiro became the highest-profile player to be suspended for violating the league's steroids policy. The Orioles first baseman, who denied knowingly taking any banned substances, stated earlier in the spring to the House Government Reform Committee that published allegations by Jose Canseco of his steroids use were "absolutely false" and had considered suing his former teammate over the accusation.
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