The final day before the All-Star break features some key divisional matchups, as well as a sneak peak at baseball as it may look two or three years from now. All times Eastern.
↵↵1:30 p.m., TBS, WPHL-17, FSN South: Braves at Phillies. The Braves could climb to within 1.5 games of the NL East lead with a win today. Derek Lowe faces Cole Hamels.
↵↵1:30 p.m., WGN, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh: Cubs at Pirates. The Pirates haven't been in first place at the All-Star break since 1997 -- but they could be tied for the NL Central lead after today's action.
↵↵2 p.m., FSN Detroit, FSN Kansas City: Tigers at Royals. A Detroit win and an Indians loss puts the Tigers in first place in the AL Central at the break.
↵↵4:30 p.m., KCOP, ROOT Sports Seattle: Mariners at Angels. An Angels victory and a Rangers defeat today would put those teams in a first-place tie in the AL West.
↵↵6 p.m., ESPN2: All-Star Futures Game at Chase Field in Phoenix. See the future now -- at least half the players from the 2010 Futures Game have already made significant MLB contributions in 2011.
↵↵8 p.m., ESPN: Mets at Giants. And after this game, the All-Star break begins.