On-Deck

On the Horizon - June 25 - July 1

One of the new features that we'll be bringing you each week will involve each team's upcoming schedule. This can be a major boost for those of you who keep a flex spot on your roster so that you can pick up players and use them as plug and play options. By knowing not only who they'll be facing, but also where they'll be facing them, this should give you some insight as to who the hot pickups for next week might be a few extra days in advance.

Home games are listed in CAPS, while the number in parentheses shows how many games they'll be playing each team.

Favorable

Cleveland Indians: TAMPA BAY (4), KANSAS CITY (4) - While Jacobs Field played as a neutral pitcher's park last season, the Tribe hasn't let that bother them in 2007. They're scoring 6.09 runs per game at home this season, just over a full run more than they're scoring in their road games. Toss in the woeful pitching staffs of the Rays and Royals, and Grady, Pronk, V-Mart and the bunch should be in for a big week.

Chicago Cubs: COLORADO (3), MILWAUKEE (3) - As the calendar turns to July, the balls generally start flying out of Wrigley Field. They will have to deal with a red hot Jeff Francis to begin the week, but the only other proven ace they'll have to face is Ben Sheets, who they've owned throughout his career.

Cincinnati Reds: Philadelphia (3), ST. LOUIS (3) - If the fact that they'll play all six of their games in two of the best power parks in the National League doesn't entice you, consider the fact that the best starter they'll face all week is Jamie Moyer! The Reds will have the honor of hosting 3-11 Kip Wells as well as career relievers Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer when the Cardinals come calling.

Philadelphia Phillies: CINCINNATI (3), NEW YORK METS (4) - While they'll face a tough slate of starters, all seven games will come at home in power-friendly Citizens Bank Park. On the docket will be Homer Bailey, Aaron Harang, John Maine, and Oliver Perez.

San Diego Padres: San Francisco (3), Los Angeles (3) - Neither is exactly a pitcher's haven, but the Pads do escape Petco all week, where they're scoring nearly a full run less (4.09) than they are on the road. It comes with a bit of a caveat. They'll have to face the Giants front three starters (Lincecum, Zito, and Cain) as well as facing Brad Penny later in the week.

St. Louis Cardinals: New York Mets (4), Cincinnati (3) - No... Shea didn't suddenly become a good park for hitters, but the Redbirds will escape the new Busch Stadium, where they rank 29th out of 30 teams in scoring at home. On an even more positive note, three of those seven games will come in The Great American Ballpark, where balls tend to fly out at an astronomical rate.

Washington Nationals: Atlanta (3), Pittsburgh (3) - That thirtieth ranked team in home scoring would be Washington, who have scored half a run more per game on the road than they have at home. While both Turner Field and PNC played as neutral parks last season, next week should still be a step up from what you're used to if you're a Ryan Zimmerman or Ryan Church owner.

Unfavorable

Baltimore Orioles: NEW YORK YANKEES (3), LOS ANGELES ANGELS (3) - While Camden Yards actually played as a neutral hitter's park last season, it hasn't helped the O's so much this year. They're scoring nearly a quarter of a run less at home than they have been on the road. Unfortunately, the opposition comes into play as well. They'll have to face Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, the red hot Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, and Bartolo Colon. Whoever it is that ends up taking their managerial job probably doesn't have much to look forward to right off the bat.

Seattle Mariners: BOSTON (3), TORONTO (3) - While the M's haven't scored significantly less runs per game at home (5.00) than they have on the road (5.13), Safeco has always played poorly for hitters. The opposition won't help either, as they'll have to face Daisuke Matsuzaka, Roy Halladay, a red hot Shaun Marcum, and two of the better bullpens in the American League.

Texas Rangers: Detroit (4), Boston (3) - Bonderman, Verlander, and Beckett, oh my! The Rangers not only have to leave the friendly confines of Ameriquest Field, but they'll also have three of the ten best pitchers in the league on the slate.

Florida Marlins: PITTSBURGH (3), ATLANTA (3) - The Fish are scoring half a run less at home this season than they are on the road, and that doesn't figure to get much better next week.

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