MLB Fox Saturday gives us Padres/Phillies

From Fox Sports -

Braves/Reds; Padres/Phillies; Tigers/Twins Face-Off Saturday @ 4:00 PM ET on FOX

Morosi: Reds Need To Acquire Pitching To Make NL Run

MLB ACTION HEATS UP FOX SPORTS – The weather is hot across the nation and the action is even hotter as FOX Sports presents three exciting matchups on Saturday, July 23 (4:00 PM ET). Sporting the two best records in the NL, the NL East-leading Phillies and 2^nd-place Braves spearhead FOX’s coverage. In Cincinnati, Derek Lowe looks to slow down a Reds lineup that boasts the power-hitting combo of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. The Phillies pitching has lived up to their preseason hype leading them to the best record in baseball. One of their lesser-known arms, Kyle Kendrick, is scheduled to take the hill as the Phillies host the Padres. The Tigers have caught and passed the Indians in the AL Central. Jim Leyland’s men look to make that a permanent change as they travel to Minneapolis to take on the Twins.

The MLB on FOX pregame originates live from Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia, PA with host Chris Rose.  Once game action begins, Rose joins Kenny Albert and Eric Karros.  

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.  Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

   

Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds (45% of nation)                               

Thom Brennaman, Mitch Williams  & Ken Rosenthal

Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati, OH

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers:  Derek Lowe, RHP (6-7, 4.37 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey, RHP (4-4, 3.74 ERA)

San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies (34% of nation)                 

Kenny Albert & Eric Karros              

Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA                        

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco

Probable Pitchers: Kyle Kendrick, RHP (5-4, 3.34 ERA) vs. Mat Latos, RHP (5-10, 4.02 ERA)

  

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (20% of nation)                             

Dick Stockton & Rod Allen             

Target Field – Minneapolis, MN

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle

Probable Pitchers: Brad Penny, RHP (7-6, 4.47 ERA) vs. TBA

ROSENTHAL: SAVE THE RAYS FROM THEIR HOME-FIELD ‘ADVANTAGE’ – FOX Sports reporter and FOXSports.com senior MLB columnist Ken Rosenthal points out that the Tampa Bay Rays are tired of playing in their home stadium, Tropicana Field. Rosenthal agrees. “Here they are, arguably the best-run franchise in the sport, and they’ve got no chance of sustaining success in their freak show of a ballpark – a ballpark built with the wrong kind of roof in the wrong part of the region,” writes Rosenthal. “Quite understandably, it’s driving club officials nuts and now, with the team on the verge of falling out of contention, the Rays’ frustration is pouring out.”

To read Rosenthal’s complete column, visit http://on-msn.com/pfYoEZ

JON PAUL MOROSI: REDS SHOULD BUY – With the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching, FOXSports.com writer Jon Paul Morosi says the Cincinnati Reds need to acquire additional pitching talent if they seek to keep their playoffs hopes alive.  After a disappointing first half, the defending NL Central champs stumbled into the All-Star break with a 45-47 record, due largely to an inconsistent rotation. However, Cincinnati has since surged out of the break, taking two out of three from its division rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The two teams, along with the Brewers and Pirates, are part of a tight four-team race to grab hold of first-place in the topsy-turvy NL Central.  Morosi says it is likely that the Reds will need a bullpen upgrade from the outside, such as Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez, if they want to play as true contenders.

MLB on FOX analysts Thom Brennaman and Mitch Williams call the action while MLB on FOX’s Ken Rosenthal reports from the field.

To read Morosi’s complete column, visit:  http://tinyurl.com/3cqqk3v

 

CHEAP SEATS SHUTS THE 9^TH INNING DOOR – Each Wednesday, former MLB All-Star pitcher David Wells hosts The Cheap Seats on FOXSports.com. This week, Wells sits down with a couple of closers rocking the NL Central; the Brewers’ John Axford and the Pirates’ Joel Hanrahan. Wells asks Axford how he feels about possibly splitting closer duties with the newly acquired Francisco Rodriguez.

To watch the show click here: http://msn.foxsports.com/video/shows/cheapseats

 

GERMAN GRAND PRIX AIRS ON FOX – On Sunday, July 24 (12:00 PM ET), the German Grand Prix airs on FOX from the Circuit of Nürburgring in Nürburg, Germany. Over 120,000 fans are expected as everyone on the Formula One circuit chases points leader Sebastian Vettel.

 

CAN POINTS LEADER CHAD REED RECOVER FROM HORRIFIC CRASH ON LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS? – Overall points leader Chad Reed  (Kurri Kurri, Australia) suffered a horrific crash (http://bit.ly/mRakac) during last week’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship race in Millville, MN. His crash let his main competitors, Ryan Dungey (Belle Plaine, MN) and Ryan Villopoto (Poulsbo, WA) close the gap in the overall standings (Villopoto is now six points behind, Dungey is seven points behind). The question is will he be able to recover in time for this week’s race at Washougal, WA - the Peterson CAT Washougal National – airing live on FUEL TV on Saturday, July 23 (4:00PM ET) and maintain his lead? With five races to go in the series, it’s becoming a close three-way battle to the end.