Dream week: June 30-July 6

Sporting News, The, July 8, 2005 by Chris Bahr

THURSDAY, 6/30

Rockies at Cardinals

* It's the final meeting of the season between the two squads, meaning this is Larry Walker's last chance to injure himself against his former team.

FRIDAY, 7/1

Marlins at Mets

Least overheard comment in the Shea Stadim stands: "If only we had kept Al Lelter ..."

SATURDAY, 7/2

Pirates at Brewers

* Tomorrow's big-market stars in today's small-market breeding grounds. So, how will Jason Bay and Rickie Weeks look in pinstripes?

SUNDAY, 7/3

White Sox at A's

* Moneyball meets small ball. The runnin' White Sox stole four bases in the teams' previous series this season, but the station-to-station A's won two of three games. And Oakland did the real stealing by taking advantage of three White Sox errors and winning the second game. The A's bring out the worst in Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye, who is 2-for-14 against them this season. The immortal Chris Widger is the only Sox player to homer against Oakland in 2005.

MONDAY, 7/4

Cubs at Braves

* Both teams suffer from injury-depleted rotations, closer issues and underwhelming outfield production. How can you tell these teams apart? The Braves have the banged-up Chipper; the Cubs have the meat-grinding skipper.

TUESDAY, 7/5

Orioles at Yankees

* The teams' second meeting in a week gives Kevin Brown and Sidney Ponson a chance to continue their argument about who is doing a better job of robbing his team blind.

WEDNESDAY, 7/6

Red Sox at Rangers

* Boston took two of three in Texas earlier this season, outhitting the Rangers, 27-12, in the final two games. But it must be noted that Pedro Astacio still was around at that point, pitching batting practice to opponents.