ON DECK » JULY 10, 2009

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Andruw Jones, Rangers

Prior to 2008, Jones signed a mega-deal with the Dodgers, ultimately resulting in a mega-bust. The statistics weren’t pretty: three home runs and a grotesque batting average of .158. Jones and L.A. parted ways after one year. That certainly turned out for the better. With fewer expectations in Texas, Jones has done just fine. He isn’t the star he was for years in Atlanta, but he showed traces of it on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Jones went deep three times in a 3-for-5 evening with four RBIs as the Rangers moved back into first place. In his last 16 games, the designated hitter has nine homers.

KEY SERIES

Phillies at Marlins (Thursday 7/16 – Sunday 7/19)

It’s unlikely that many will be attending this four-game set between the top two clubs in the National League East considering LandShark Stadium’s consistently low attendance. Regardless, it’s likely that these will be the two teams gunning it out for the division crown come September. As of Thursday afternoon, the Fish sat just two games back of the defending champions. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez (14 home runs, .346 average) is on track despite hip problems, while pitcher Josh Johnson is 7-2. Philly, however, seems better when they go on the road. They are 26-15 as visitors.

STORY LINES

The stars align in St. Louis » Despite the rules changes, suggesting that playing for home-field advantage in the World Series means something, the annual All-Star Game is still an exhibition. But in this year’s game, at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, there might be some pressure on those representing the National League. The senior circuit has gone winless in the last 13 Mid-Summer Classics. With the likes of Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and likely starting pitcher Tim Lincecum, the NL is set to end the hex sometime soon — maybe Tuesday. The AL has a lineup boosted by Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira and Evan Longoria along with possible starters on the hill: Zach Grienke and Roy Halladay and Tim Wakefield.

Halladay shopping » The Blue Jays were once at the top of the heap in the AL East. Suddenly, Toronto — losers in nine of its last 11 — is considering shopping ace Roy Halladay. Potential suitors include the Red Sox and Yankees, but trading him to a fellow AL East club doesn’t make much sense. The Phillies, who have a good deal of prospects to offer, would be a better locale. In any event, Halladay is likely to be thrust into a pennant race — provided he’s traded. That’s something he isn’t used to. To boot, he’s been a virtual anonymity as far as baseball cities are concerned. The focus of the trade deadline and beyond is squarely on him.

Bizarre world of baseball injuries » The hard-luck Chicago Cubs suffered another painful setback. Pitcher Ryan Dempster fractured his toe after tripping on the dugout railing while trying to get on the field to celebrate a win against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. But this is anything but unusual — especially in baseball — a sport that always has the most peculiar and humorous injuries. Here are a few: Sammy Sosa coming down with back spasms after sneezing, Wade Boggs straining his back while attempting to put on his cowboy boots, Marty Cordova burning his face in a tanning booth (doctors then told him to avoid sunlight). And the all-timer: John Smoltz allegedly burning himself ironing a shirt … while he was wearing it.