Friday's Games:
Standings:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Cardinals | 13 | 7 | - | 6-4 | W2 |
| Reds | 9 | 11 | 4.0 | 5-5 | L2 |
| Brewers | 9 | 11 | 4.0 | 5-5 | L2 |
| Pirates | 8 | 11 | 4.5 | 5-5 | L1 |
| Astros | 8 | 12 | 5.0 | 4-6 | W2 |
| Cubs | 7 | 13 | 6.0 | 4-6 | W1 |
News and Notes:
Astros:
- After missing two games after Monday night's collision at home plate, Jason Castro returned to the lineup for yesterday's game.
- Carlos Lee was forced to leave yesterday's game in the first inning due to a sprained left ankle.
- Starter Kyle Weiland has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a sore right shoulder. In other roster moves, infielder Marwin Gonzalez has been placed on the paternity list. Fernando Abad and Brian Bixler have been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take their places on the active roster.
Cardinals:
- Plenty of Cardinals notes from mlb.com including: Chris Carpenter still out, John Jay returning, an injury update on reliever (and former Brewer) Scott Linebrink, the rehabbing Allen Craig, and what to do at second base.
- Not to be outdone, the Post-Dispatch also has information on the clubs' injuries, rehabs, and returning players.
Cubs:
- The club has set a target return date for injured reliever Kerry Wood.
- Along with Wood, injured starter Ryan Dempster is also making progress in his rehab of his ailing quad.
- First year starter Jeff Samardzija will get an extra day of rest before his next start.
- I wonder if this will affect the marriage... or the running of our country.
Pirates:
- Bad news for top prospect Josh Bell. Bell will likely be out for most of the remainder of the minor league season.
- Good news for Brewer (and other NL Central teams' fans).
Reds:
- Is Mike Leake as good (or bad) as advertised?
- Remind me to never go to Vegas with Dusty Baker; other notes on the club from mlb.com.
On Tap:
The Brewers look to bounce back in game two against the Cardinals in St. Louis this afternoon. Marco Estrada (0-0) will start for the Crew. The Cardinals turn to Kyle Lohse (3-0) who is looking to extend his unbeaten run to start the year. Game time is set for 12:05 p.m. CDT.
The Astros and Reds play this afternoon in Cincinnati in a game beginning at 3:10 p.m. CDT. Lucas Harrell (1-1) will start for Houston and Johnny Cueto (2-0) is set to take the hill for Cincinnati.
After facing and defeating Roy Halladay yesterday the Cubs should be feeling good. Not only are they coming off a win but they will face Joe Blanton (1-3), the weak link in the Phils starting rotation. The Cubs counter with Randy Wells (0-0) who is looking for his first victory of the year. Game time in the City of Brotherly Love is 6:05 p.m. CDT.
The Pirates will send 0-4 Erik Bedard to the mound against the Braves hoping he can pick up his first win of the season. The Braves will counter with young righty Randall Delgado (2-1). Tonight's game in Atlanta is set to get under way at 6:10 p.m. CDT.