Friday's First Pitch

Leading Off
Is Tim Lincecum going to repeat at Cy Young winner. He'd be the first to pull off the feat in the Senior Circuit since teammate Randy Johnson pulled off the trick, going back-to-back-to-back-to-back from 1999 to 2002. After a couple early scuffles, Lincecum is 10-2 after another dominating performance Thursday.
Regional Roundup
We've got some great stories for you to snack on. Full of vitamin C.

• Things could have gone wrong for the Phillies. However, Chan Ho Park came through in the clutch. Shane Victorino is excited to be an All Star. Jimmy Watch: 2-for-4, one run scored, one driven in, walk, no strikeouts.


• Something's going right in the Orioles' minor league system. Another prospect is catching attention. Maybe the O's should wait before they dump Melvin Mora.


• How much are the Nationals struggling? It took them 65 days to earn a win. Then they lost another game right after the celebration.


• The headline says the Pirates are trying to salvage a season. Need we remind you they had a chance to contend when they traded their best player? Nothing to salvage here folks.

Best of Rest
A pitching duel, a should-be All-Star, a sweep and a thud.

• Pablo Sandoval will be robbed if he doesn't make the All-Star team.


• Mike Lupica riffs on the New York Mess.


• David Price outpitched Future Phillie Roy Halladay.


• The Yankees finished their dismantling of the Twins


• With a Royal flush, the Red Sox are now tied for first.


• All is not happy in Fuzzyworld, where Alfonso Soriano is angry with Boss Pinella


• Is Junior watching the new Mariners' staple in center field?

Batter's Eye

• The Braves and Rays are going with the oft-criticized closer by committee. And they're contending. Sports Illustrated takes a look at what makes that option work.

Today in history
1917 -- Ray Caldwell of New York pitched 9 2-3 innings of no-hit relief as the Yankees beat the Browns 7-5 in 17 innings in St. Louis.

1934 -- Carl Hubbell struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in succession, but the AL came back to win the All-Star game 9-7 at the Polo Grounds as Mel Harder gave up one hit in the last five innings.

1936 -- Philadelphia's Chuck Klein hit four home runs in a 10-inning victory over the Pirates, and it wasn't in the cozy Baker Bowl. He hit them in spacious Forbes Field in a 9-6 win over Pittsburgh.

The Closer
If we here one more time that Jayson Werth should be an All-Star, we're going to vomit. Sure, he's got 20 homers, 12 stolen bases and a .508 slugging percentage. But Pablo Sandoval has been hitting more impressively and for a longer period. And if Charlie Manuel thinks he needs another outfielder, he should probably go with Matt Kemp.