It's not too often when a major league baseball team circles its calendars in early May, but you can bet the Chicago Cubs had a little extra motivation for their recent series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Tampa Bay Rays have activated pitcher Gary Glover off the 15-day disabled list. He had been sidelined since April 26 with right shoulder tendinitis.

The Boston Red Sox have activated first baseman Sean Casey off the 15-day disabled list and cleared room on the roster by designating pitcher Julian Tavarez for assignment.

Pitching is the most important part of winning at any level of baseball. You don't have to tell that twice to Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin since he has arguably the best pitcher in the majors on his roster.

Freddy Sanchez doubled in three runs and Zach Duke pitched six scoreless innings for his second straight win, as the Pittsburgh Pirates captured a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a doubleheader at PNC Park.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira left the opener of Monday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh with back spasms.

Vicente Padilla tries to win his fourth straight start this evening when Texas begins a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hope a return home gets them off the schneid this evening when they kick off a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium.

Jair Jurrjens seeks a fifth straight start without a loss today, when the Atlanta Braves enter PNC Park for the third and fourth games of a weather-interrupted series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Tampa Bay Rays try to extend their franchise-record home-winning streak to 10 games this evening when they start a four-game series with the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field.