http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/4CE8A002CBE943458625748E000E736F?OpenDocument

The Cardinals' pursuit of a lefthanded reliever to fortify their bullpen has intensified as the club has expressed interest in Baltimore closer George Sherrill, sources said. Sherrill, an All-Star who has 29 saves and a 3.89 ERA for the Orioles, has drawn increased attention from several teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals have declined to discuss specific candidates. They have said lefthanded relief is one area they are looking to improve before the non-waiver trade deadline. Another possibility is Texas lefty reliever Eddie Guardado. The Rangers have interest in Class AA starter Jess Todd.

**Revised after news of Padilla on DL**

Any guesses for the rest of July?

Here is my guess at trying to figure out what it could be.  Granted, this is what I think the RANGERS will do, not what I necessarily would do.

Friday - July 18th @ Minn - Millwood

Saturday - July 19th @ Minn - Feldman

Sunday - July 20th @ Minn - Padilla

Monday - July 21st @ Chicago (WS) - Hurley

Tuesday - July 22nd @ Chicago (WS) - Mendoza (Harrison)

Wednesday - July 23rd @ Chicago (WS) - Millwood

Thursday - July 24th - OFF

Friday - July 25th @ Oakland - Feldman

Saturday - July 26th @ Oakland - Padilla

Sunday - July 27th @ Oakland - Hurley

Monday - July 28th vs. Seattle - Mendoza (Harrison)

Tuesday - July 29th vs. Seattle - Millwood

Wednesday - July 30th vs. Seattle - Feldman

Thursday - July 31st vs. Seattle - Padilla

Just thought I would see how Hurley compared with his big league debut against others in his 2004 class.

High Schoolers:

Hurley's debut vs. Royals (25-40) - 6/12/2008:  6IP  6H  4ER  0BB  4K's - 2/12: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 93/63

Hughes debut vs. Toronto (10-11) - 4/26/2007:  4.1IP  7H  4ER  1BB  5K's - 3/5: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 91/53

Bailey debut vs. vs. Cleveland (36-23) - 6/8/2007:  5IP  5H  2ER  4BB  3K's - 5/6: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 114/63

Adenhart debut vs. Anaheim (18-12) - 5/1/2008:  2IP  3H  5ER  5BB  0K's - 3/5: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 57/24

Gallardo debut vs. San Francisco (40-54) - 6/18/2007:  6.1IP  4H  3ER  3BB  4K's - 6/9: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 102/62

College Players:

Verlander debut vs. Cleveland (46-36) - 7/4/2005:  5.1IP  7H  4ER  3BB  4K's - 8/4: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 95/54

Sowers debut vs. Cincinnati (41-35) - 6/25/2006:  5IP  5H  4ER  1BB  3K's - 7/4: GB/FB  - Pitches/Strikes 82/50

Weaver debut vs. Baltimore (22-28) - 5/27/2006:  7IP  3H  0ER  1BB  5K's - 7/9: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 97/64

Purcey debut vs. Detroit (6-11) - 4/18/2008:  4.1IP  2H  1ER  7BB  3K's - 7/3:  GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 86/40

Perkins debut vs. Boston (24-15) -  5/10/2008:  6IP  9H  3ER  0BB  3K's - 5/10: GB/FB - Pitches/Strikes 98/69

I'm not really sure what this means, but I just figured I would compare Hurley's first big league debut to others in the '04 class so that others could see where he stood after one start.  I realize not much should be put on one start, but interesting nonetheless.

Anybody have any predictions on Hurley's next start:  at home against Atlanta.  Who all is going to be there for Hurley's first Major League start in RBiA?

I know many of you think I am a Hurley fanatic but another good game from the big fella.  Here is his line after 7 innings today in Oklahoma.

7IP  4H  2ER  2BB  4K's

Hurley should probably have never taken the mound for the 8th.  Here is his line when he was taken out in the 8th.

7.1IP  6H  5ER  3BB  4K's.

He was obviously very much fatigued.

Hurley has looked very impressive in his last 4 out of 5 starts.  His new windup and offspeed are looking highly impressive.  If he was pulled after the 7th his ERA would stand at 5.10 for the year.  Instead, it's now at 5.56.  This is still a far cry than his over 7.5 ERA earlier this year.

Other Minor League Notables:

Oklahoma City

Nelson Cruz connected on his 17th big fly today.

Botts and Duran both chipped in with doubles in  their 1-4 efforts.

Frisco

MIchael Ballard had a hell of a ball game today.  CG victory.

9IP  8H  1ER  0BB  8K's

Max had another dinger.  Make that 14 on the year in a 1-3 effort today.

Casey Benjamin went 3-4 with a double and a HR.

Bakersfield

Off

Clinton

Blake Beavan:  7IP  6H  3R  2ER  1BB  1K