Thursday's Game:

Reds 5 Giants 6

Standings:

News and Notes:

Astros:

• The odds are in their favor, right? It's not like they can lose every time they take the field.
• Despite the organization's denial, the Brett Meyers trade rumors likely won't go away any time soon.

Cardinals:

• ...trying hardest to avoid annoying clever Lance Lynn wordplay...
• Cardinals Q & A from mlb.com featuring Chris Carpenter, Allen Craig, and the Cards' bullpen

Cubs:

• Is Anthony Rizzo the guy who will make the Cubs relevant again?
• Can Bryan LaHair keep up his hot start? Is he blocking the aforementioned Rizzo? Find out here.
• Starter Jeff Samardzija has looked good early on and the Cubs are keeping a close eye on him as the season progresses.

Pirates:

• Pedro Alvarez: conundrum player. For better or worse people have a lot to say about him.

Reds:

• Another team blaming the umpires for a tough loss.
• Injured reliever Nick Masset didn't get the best of news regarding his recent MRI results.

On Tap:

The Brewers are in St. Louis to begin a three game weekend series against the Cardinals. In Friday's opener, which is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CDT, Yovani Gallardo (1-1) looks to shut down Jake Westbrook (2-1) and the rest of the Cardinals line-up in the Crew's first visit to Busch Stadium of the year.

The Astros and Reds meet for the first time in 2012 in tonight's 6:10 p.m. CDT game in Cincinnati. Wandy Rodriguez (1-2) will start for Houston and Mike Leake (0-2) will start for the Reds looking for his first victory of the year.

The Chicago Cubs are in Philadelphia and will begin a series against the Phillies with a game tonight scheduled to get under way at 6:05 p.m. CDT tonight. Cubs starter Paul Maholm (1-2) looks to even up his record on the year. He will need to be on top of his game as he is opposed by Roy Halladay (3-1) who will take the mound for the Phils.

The Pirates and Braves begin a a four game series in Atlanta's Turner Field tonight with a game set for 6:35 p.m. CDT. A.J. Burnett (1-0) looks to improve his early season record for the Bucs. Young righty Tommy Hanson (2-2) looks to get above .500 with a win against the PIrates tonight.