Enjoying Memorial Day Hour after Hour

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, being a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially proclaimed Memorial Day and it was first observed May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Though the true meaning has been lost over the years, Memorial Day is a time to reflect about those who came before us and enjoy family and friends. Baseball has always been a part of the fabric of the day, as people go to the ballpark on this holiday to enjoy and get a small lesson on the history of the day.

3Daily Winners honors those who died for our country with an hourly look at a number of baseball games being played on Memorial Day.

1:10 E – Houston at Cincinnati

Local Boy Scout groups will be in action in Cincinnati, as the Reds host Houston in the first game of the day. Aaron Harang is pitching better this season for Cincy with 4-4 record and has 2.45 ERA at Great American Ballpark. For some reason he and Reds are just 6-15 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Monday. The Astros Wandy Rodriguez is pitching superbly with 5-2 record and sharp 1.83 ERA. Houston could use big effort after 1-5 homestand.

2:05 E – St. Louis at Milwaukee

Various suburbs in the Milwaukee area hold Memorial Day parades, to honor brave men and women who have served our country. The Brewers and St. Louis will continue to fight for the lead in NL Central. The Cardinals are off crazy homestand in which they were 5-4, being swept by Milwaukee and having pitchers surrendering just five total runs in winning five of next six. The Brew Crew was barreling until they struggled with interleague killer Minnesota. Good pitching matchup with Cris Carpenter (2-0, 0.00) and Yovani Gallardo (4-2, 3.83) scheduled and the Redbirds are 8-0 after batting .225 or worse over a 10-game span over the last two seasons.

3:10 E - L.A. Dodgers at Colorado

American Legion posts throughout the state of Colorado will have celebrations and in Denver, the Rockies are back home after winning series in Detroit. Colorado pitchers have only allowed eight runs in last four contests. Jorge De La Rosa will try and add to productivity seeking his first win (0-4) in 2009 in eight starts. He’s facing potent Dodgers lineup that is 10-3 against left-handers, scoring six runs per game. DiamondSportsbook.com has Rocks are -135 money line favorites versus L.A. who is 20-8 against NL West opponents this season.

4:05 E – Seattle at Oakland

Division rivals Seattle and Oakland meet coming off a win. The A’s had chance to take series over Arizona, but failed to hold 5-1 lead Saturday and is only 21-28 in home games when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) over the last three seasons. The Mariners have enjoyed the Bay Area and is 14-7 at Oakland, including 3-0 this season.

6:05 E – Tampa Bay at Cleveland

With Scott Kazmir on DL, phenom David Price is expected to make 2009 debut with Tampa Bay. Price has electric stuff and still had options, which is why primarily he didn’t make big club out of spring training. He was just 1-4 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A, likely due to in part to disappointment of not making original 25-man roster and can prove he belongs starting Monday. The Rays have been making steady progress after slow start and have not lost a series in last four. Cleveland continues to languish, with poor pitching and lack of consistent run production. Maybe Tampa Bay will spark the Tribe to run off winning streak, since they have defeated them eight straight times in Cleveland.

7:05 E- Florida at Philadelphia

Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars will have ceremonies in Philadelphia, as the Phillies return home all smiles, after taking two of three at Yankee Stadium and completing 8-2 road trip. Now the Phils want to build momentum at home, where they are below average 8-12, losing -8.5 units. Jamie Moyer has been horrendous all season, with 7.62 ERA and WHIP of 1.815. He’s hoping facing Florida will cure him, since he is 12-1 with 2.84 ERA against the Marlins.

8:05 E – Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs

The Cubs road trip was a complete disaster, totaling five runs and 30 hits in six consecutive losses. Manager Lou Pinella has to hope the Friendly Confines are just that and the Chicago bats awake from slumber. Pittsburgh makes the unusual trip of going from the south side of Chicago to north side to open up new series. The Pirates bats were quiet also, being shutout twice before scoring three times in last two innings to come from behind and beat Pale Hose 4-3. The Bucs are miserable 4-11 at Wrigley Field and are +150 underdogs and will face Ryan Dempster, who is 13-0 at home in the first half of the season over the last two seasons. (Cubs Record)

9:05 E – Chicago White Sox at L.A. Angels

The Angels return to the Big A in Anaheim after playing at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. The Halos starting pitchers are coming back to health, including Ervin Santana, who is scheduled starter Monday night. Santana has thrown fairly well in first two starts coming back from elbow sprain, however hasn’t reached typical velocity yet. The Angels will face Chicago’s John Danks and are 41-24 against left-handed starters since last year. Danks is 3-3 and hasn’t found same groove as last season, which is why in partially the White Sox are +145 road underdogs. The Sox are despicable 22-47 as a road underdog of +100 or higher.

Remember Monday to fly U.S. flag proudly and at 3 p.m. local time, to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day.