The newly signed pitcher Jeff Karstens is over the moon on hearing the news that his name has been added in the Pittsburgh Pirates roster. He was acquired from the New York Yankees team last Saturday and is expected to be playing for the Pirates in their game against the Chicago Cubs next Friday. Karstens is pretty much happy about the prospect of playing for the Pirates and is determined to show his class whenever he gets an opportunity to play for his new team. The Pirates baseball fans with tickets for the Friday’s game are hoping that this super pitcher gets a chance to display his pitching talents.

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a four game series with the Florida Marlins.  The series began yesterday with Chicago taking the first game by a score of 6-3.  Well the Marlins wasted little time evening up the four game set, as they managed a 3-2 victory Friday.  Florida jumped to a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning on a Josh Willingham double, but Chicago answered with a Geovany Soto solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.  Reed Johnson hit a home run in the bottom of the 5th inning to put Chicago ahead 2-1, only to have the Marlins tie the game at 2 in the 7th on a Jorge Cantu RBI double. But after all was said and done, it was pinch hitter Jeremy Hermida who hit the game winning home run in the top of the 9th inning, in which the Cubs failed to score as they went down in order to end the game.  On a side note, the former star of Notre Dame made his Cubs debut.  That is no other than Jeff Samardzija, well the former Irish wide receiver came in and got the first batter he faced to strikeout looking.  Samardzija finished the day with a stat line of 2 innings pitched, allowing 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 2. 

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Geoff Jenkins injured his shoulder this Sunday when he was accidentally hit by the barrel of his broken bat. Jenkins who immediately came out of the game at Florida is expected to be ready for the start of the Phillies’ series starting on Tuesday against the New York Mets. Jenkins bat broke on contact with the ball, and the left-handed hitter was hit on the right side close to his neck. The tickets continue to sell for the Phillies games despite this setback.

The Athletics traded SP Joe Blanton to the Phillies for three minor leaguers. This was the only deal the Athletics could make after Philadelphia insisted they needed a starting pitcher. The three minor leaguers involved are left-hander Josh Outman, second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer. This trade should make the fans stand in long lines for the tickets just to see how it turns out.

The Chicago White Sox have placed closer Bobby Jenks on the 15-day disabled list with left scapula bursitis, which causes pain the upper back.  Jenks has not been able to pitch for the White Sox since June 29th. He will be eligible to return the first game after the All-Star break.  The White Sox will see their closer sidelined with a 1.95 ERA and 18 saves.  Chicago has recalled pitcher D.J. Carrasco to take the spot of Jenks.  Carasco has pitched in seven games at Triple A Charlotte, and was supporting a 2.38 ERA along with a 1-1 record and 1 save.  The 31 year old pitcher has not not made an appearance in the Major Leagues since 2005 when he was with the Kansas City Royals. 

The Detroit Tigers were in destructive mood last Friday night as they came up with a matchless performance to beat the Colorado Rockies by 7-1 in their home turf. The Tigers continued their rich vein of form in this baseball game and have won the last three games that they have played. Eddie Bonine was the mainstay pitcher for the Tigers as he allowed only 5 hits over eight innings. The Detroit fans were absolutely thrilled to watch this game live and appreciated the super efforts of Bonine and Curtis Granderson. Tickets to the Detroit Tigers games are currently on sale and die hard fans will be surely getting their copy of tickets for the forthcoming games.