- As I sat down to write this week's edition of Side Sessions, the first comment that came to mind was the need for Brian Matusz to get some time in the minor leagues to work through his significant problems. I then read where the Orioles has sent him to Triple-A Thursday night following his latest shellacking. I'll be talking about his struggles in some detail in next week's Notebook.

- A quick and heartfelt apology to Pirates fans everywhere, but their starting pitching is not this good. Jeff Karstens, Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, and Charlie Morton all appear headed for a downward adjustment in their performance levels for the second half.

- Don't the Tigers look like they should be buyers as the trade deadline approaches? On a positive note, they have sent Phil Coke to the bullpen and moved Charlie Furbush into the rotation, but Rick Porcello has been horribly erratic and Brad Penny is not really the guy you want on the rubber in a heated pennant race. One solid starting pitcher - how about Hiroki Kuroda or Wandy Rodriguez - could put them over the top (assuming the White Sox continue to be the paramount under-performers of the year).

- Dustin McGowan was right at the top of my man-crush list a few years ago, and then all the arm troubles set in. A lot of people pretty much wrote him off, but the Blue Jays decided to wait it out. They may be rewarded. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and has been hitting 95-96 on the gun. If his slider is also back and he can stay healthy, he could be a big boost to Toronto and a few fantasy owners before this season is through.

- Will Jonathon Broxton be back this year? I think this latest setback (which will keep him out at least another month) might be the end of his tenure as a closer in Los Angeles. Javy Guerra is wearing the mantle today, but Kenley Jansen is just a touch better command from claiming the job long term. If you have the roster flexibility to stash him for a bit, the rewards could be considerable.

- The Strasburg Watch is officially underway for those of us who have him rostered and are anxiously awaiting his return. This past week he was throwing fastballs just like the good ol' days and he even mixed in a few curves at 50|PERCENT| effort. Even though he could be ready to pitch in September, odds are the Nationals will play it very conservatively and hold him back until next spring. The NL East should be dreading the prospect of seeing Strasburg and Zimmermann together.

- Chris Carpenter made some adjustments in his pitch selection and the results have been impressive. He could be setting up for a big second half. If you can create an opportunity to buy low, now is the time to do it.

- I read where Erik Bedard had been placed on the disabled list, and I admit, I let out a brief gasp. Fortunately, it was a sprained knee, and not elbow or shoulder issues. Even at that, there are a lot of whispers suggesting it was just a convenient way to give him a breather going into the All-Star break. Probably a pretty good idea. He's been amazingly effective so far, and the Mariners certainly don't want to wear him down.

- My prediction for first closer to get dealt to a contender is Francisco Rodriguez. He may not be any more likely than a few others, but I want to see Jason Isringhausen surpass 300 career saves (he's currently at 293), and this scenario could bring that about. Izzy! Izzy! Izzy! It has a nice ring to it.

- Ubaldo Jimenez is quietly getting his act together after a very "rocky" start to the season. I don't think he will be the Ubaldo of the first half of last year, but he looks like he might be a solid starter the rest of the way in 2011.

- With Roy Oswalt enduring more back problems and Joe Blanton on the shelf, the Phillies have to be relieved that Cole Hamels hand injury is not very serious. There is a very good chance that he will make his next start. When they are all healthy that talk of the baseball world rotation has pretty much lived up to the preseason billing.

- And, the Futures Game is just around the corner (during the All-Star break) and that's always a highlight of the season for me. The list of top young arms on the rosters this year is long and distinguished. Want a really interesting Bogfella semi-sleeper to watch in that game? Look for Liam Hendriks (Twins). He generally has the kind of strike zone command you want to see when considering a young pitcher's potential.

Side Sessions is intended to generate discussion. Throw out your thoughts on my comments or chip in with observations of your own, it's an open forum on all things pitching!

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