Inter-league play gets started again at the end of this week with some good pitching match-ups. Look for Jason Schmidt battling King Felix Hernandez, Francisco Liriano against Ian Snell, Jake Peavy going head-to-head with Ervin Santana and a Schilling-Smoltz tilt in Atlanta on Father?s Day. I know, who the Hell is Ian Snell? You?ll know in about a week. ? What I learned this week: - The Dodgers have a great combo of vets (Lofton, Nomar, Drew) and newbies (Kemp, Martin) to see this thing out. They need Penny to be healthy and Odalis to remember who the hell he once was. - The Pirates actually have a future with Zach Duke and Ian Snell. If they can ever get Oliver Perez figured out, they can have a solid young rotation. Too bad by then Duke and Snell will be pitching in the AL East. - Don?t look now but Mark Prior is about to come back from the?wait...nope, he?s in Iowa again. - Josh Beckett is barely 6 months older than Jonathan Papelbon. One is a World Series MVP, one is a rookie. - There?s a dude who pitches for the White Sox named Ray Liotta. No word on whether or not he wears shoes. - Melky Cabrera is saving the Yankees money as we speak and its costing Gary Sheffield. I think at this point Cashman would pick up the Ebola Virus before he?d pick up Sheff?s option ? There may be more young pitching talent in the league or on its way there than ever. Consider this: Jon Lester, Scott Kazmir, Jonathan Papelbon, Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano, Felix Hernandez, Ian Snell and Zach Duke, Jered Weaver, Cole Hamels and Chad Billingsley all are considered or were considered Top flight, untouchable pitching prospects. Sorry to hear that? Not nearly as much as the NY Mets. Where would they be if they hadn?t traded Kazmir for the nearly retired Victor Zambrano? ? The Good, the Bad and the Ugh. - Good: Dodgers call-ups Russel Martin and Matt Kemp. Hits, runs, RBI?s and wins. - Bad: Josh Beckett, again. More HR?s allowed. How's Hanley doing in Florida? - Ugh: The Angels need to decide if they?re grooming for tomorrow or trying to win today, b/c Mike Scioscia has more ulcers than meat-eating cow. Call up Kendrick now! ? The more things change? Just when Ken Griffey Jr. was back to his hitting ways he strains a thigh muscle. He?s playing through it, but it hurts. Odds on him moving to LF or RF are a little worse than him moving to New York or Chicago. ? Buy/Sell/Hold/Dump: A new feature where we?ll tell you what?s today, what?s tomorrow, what?s so yesterday and what you should be embarrassed you still think is legit. - Buy: Last week Joel Zumaya, RP, Detroit Tigers. 5.2 IP, 1 hit allowed, 0 ER, 7 K and a save. It?s only a matter of time. This week Jon Lester, SP, Boston Red Sox. The Sox phenom was decent in his first start, but Mother Nature delayed him nearly five hours. Also, Chad Billinglsey, SP, LA Dodgers. Finally, he gets called up. Stop reading this article and pick him up now. Now! - Sell: Last week Colorado Rockies. A 3-6 home stand including being swept at home by the Marlins and losing 2 of 3 to the new NL West division leaders, the Dodgers. This week Francisco Cordero, RP, Texas Rangers. His fluke save came in a game where Buck Showalter used normal closer Otsuka in the 8th just to get him some work. Cordero is not the closer, so forget it. - Hold: Last week Roy Oswalt, SP, Houston Astros. Roy was shut down after being pushed back a few days but is due to make a start tonight against Chicago. This week A.J. Burnett, SP, Toronto Blue Jays is on his way back from the DL and looked good in a rehab start, going 6 and giving up no runs. Also, watch Mark Prior, who gave up no hits in 6 IP in AAA, as next week may be the only week he pitches for the Chicago Cubs this month. - Dump: Last week Bronson Arroyo, P, Cincy Reds. 1-1 in two starts, 14 IP, 14 H, 5 ER. This week Jered Weaver, SP, LA Angels. Why would we say this? Because the stupid Angels are sending him down to Triple-A to make room for Bartolo Col?n. No word on if sending down the slender will create enough room for that cow. If you don?t live in California or Nevada and don?t get Dodgers broadcasts, you?re missing out. Do yourself a favor, buy the MLB package on TV or MLB.com and have Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully put you to sleep each night. You?ll be glad you did, he?s the best ever, Love it? Hate it? Want to know what I?m eating right now? Hit me up here: kevincasini@hotmail.com