Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Blue Jays get their ace back from the disabled list, the Giants meet the Cardinals, and the Astros try to top the Padres.
Meeting up in the Junior Circuit . . .
Top Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay (10-1, 2.53 ERA) will return to the mound on Monday night when his team hosts the Rays and Jeff Niemann (6-4, 4.23 ERA). Righthander Halladay has been on the disabled list with a strained groin, having last pitched on June 12 vs. the Marlins (one earned run over three innings). Righthander Niemann took a no-decision vs. the Mets last time out, allowing two earned runs over four innings. Tampa Bay is 4-0 in Niemann's last four outings.
Elsewhere around the American League on Monday it'll be the White Sox at Cleveland, the Angels at Texas, Minnesota at Kansas City, and Detroit at Oakland. As well, the Red Sox will travel down to Camden Yards to take on the Orioles. Lefthander Jon Lester (6-6, 4.68 ERA) will get the ball for Boston in that matchup; Lester has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts. Righthander Jason Berken (1-4, 6.32 ERA) is slated to start for the Orioles.
Taking the field in the Senior Circuit . . .
Tim Lincecum (7-2, 2.57 ERA) will be looking to make yet another quality start on Monday when the Giants play on the road against the Cardinals and Brad Thompson (2-3, 4.50 ERA). Righthander Lincecum has given up three or fewer earned runs in nine of his past 10 outings, and he beat the A's last time out by allowing just one run in nine innings. Righthander Thompson is coming off a loss to the Mets in which he gave up five earned runs over his five innings on the hill.
Rounding out the National League slate for Monday: the Cubs at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Milwaukee, Washington at Florida, Colorado at the Dodgers, and Houston at San Diego. Righthander Roy Oswalt (3-4, 4.30 ERA) will get the ball for the Astros in their Monday matchup; Oswalt held the Royals to one run over six innings in a no-decision last time out. The Padres counter with Josh Geer (1-2, 5.86 ERA), who last picked up a victory in a start against the Cubs on May 23.
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