MLB.com

Yankees: Pettitte has pitched well of late, winning his last start against the Mariners on Wednesday. He threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. Pettitte did not escape the fourth in Atlanta on June 25 but surrendered just one run in seven innings against the Marlins on June 19. He has now won three of his last four decisions.

Cubs: Wells won his third game of the season and career by tossing seven innings in a 4-1 win against the Pirates on July 1. He gave up just one run and has surrendered just five runs in his last three starts, winning all three. Wells has faced the Braves once this season, giving up two runs (one earned) in seven innings to get a no-decision. In four home starts this year, Wells is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA.

Phillies: Hamels put it best when asked about his 2009 season following Wednesday's start against the Braves: "It's a challenging year," Hamels said. "Not every time you go out there, every season is going to be great. You have the years where you really have to learn who you are." Hamels is 4-5 with a 4.98 ERA, and he is 0-3 with a 6.18 ERA in his previous five starts. He said he is healthy, but he has struggled with his command. Whatever the problem, the Phillies are counting on better things from Hamels against the Reds.

Tigers: Galarraga walked a season-high six hitters on Tuesday and lived to tell the tale, pitching his way out of danger to help the Tigers to a 5-3 win over the Oakland A's. "You can't walk that many. You can't," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "That's just the way it is. It's not part of the Major League game." It was Tuesday. Galarraga limited Oakland to one run on two hits in 6 1/3 innings. He had five strikeouts. Galarraga had control problems when he faced the Royals on April 26, walking five. He got out of trouble then, too, allowing one run in six innings to get the win. He'll try for the same result -- maybe with fewer walks, though.

Red Sox: Smoltz was well on his way to victory No. 1 as a member if the Red Sox rotation last Tuesday in Baltimore, but a rain delay shortened the right-hander's outing to four innings. After mixed results against Washington in his season debut, the 42-year-old held the Orioles to one run on three hits in an eventual 11-10 Boston loss. Making his first start of the season at Fenway Park, where he has not allowed an earned run in 20 2/3 career innings, Smoltz is 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA in three lifetime appearances (one start) against Oakland.

Astros: Hampton returned from the disabled list in his previous start Tuesday at San Diego and pitched well, holding the Padres to four hits and one run in six innings. This will be his fourth start this year against Pittsburgh, a team he has dominated in 2009 and in his career. He's 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts against the Pirates this year and 13-3 with a 2.44 ERA in his career. His .813 winning percentage against the Pirates his best against any team with more than one decision.

Rockies: The efficiency of Marquis' 3-0 shutout of the Dodgers on Tuesday night was stunning. He threw strikes on 66 of his 86 pitches, didn't walk anyone and held the Dodgers to two hits. He's had strong games pitching without his secondary pitches, like an 8 2/3-inning beating of the Pirates earlier in the season at Coors. But against the Dodgers, he had a cutter to go with the sinker. Marquis will meet the Nationals at Coors, where he is 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA this season.

Diamondbacks: Garland's winless streak continued on Wednesday against the Reds despite another impressive performance. He pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits in his sixth consecutive loss. Garland hasn't won a game since May 19, a span of eight decisions. Over that stretch he is 0-6 with a 4.81 ERA. Garland will look to end the slide against the Padres, against whom he is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in two starts this season.

Angels: Weaver gets a chance to improve upon his performance in Texas on Wednesday night when he was reached for seven earned runs on eight hits and one walk in 6 1/3 innings, striking out three hitters. After surrendering a total of 21 earned runs in his first 13 outings, Weaver has given up 16 earned runs in his past three starts. Weaver is 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rangers. He's 5-1 at home with a 1.83 ERA, striking out 48 in 59 innings.

Mariners: It was back to the norm last time out for Washburn, who has received the least amount of run support of any starting pitcher in the American League. He held the Yankees to four runs but received just two runs of support and sustained his 105th career loss. Washburn allowed three home runs, the second time in 15 starts this season he surrendered more than one circuit clout in a game and the first hat trick. Washburn will be making his second start against the Orioles this season. He dropped a 1-0 decision to them on June 1 at Safeco Field.

Giants: Cain is winless in his last three starts, though he has pitched more than capably over that stretch. He received no decision while allowing one run and three hits in eight innings against Texas on June 20, lost at Milwaukee on June 26 while yielding five runs in seven innings and took another no-decision at St. Louis in his last start despite surrendering just one run in seven innings. In Cain's 16 starts, he has been unable to last at least six innings only once, and that was a rain-shortened complete game at Washington on June 4.