Baseball Beat: Monday, September 17th

Here is the rundown for the Monday, September 17th edition of Baseball Beat. Charley Steiner has a travel day with the Los Angeles Dodgers, so Jeff Joyce is hosting today. All times Eastern.

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Stan McNeal, The Sporting News
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Marcus Hayes, Philadelphia Daily News (Phillies Beat)
1:45 p.m.
Guest: Kathleen O’Brien, Newsday (Yankees Beat)
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Greg Couch, Chicago Sun-Times
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Jason Beck, MLB.com (Detroit Tigers)

Guest Summaries:
McNealdiscussed national headlines and Wild Card races including Jim Thome joining the 500 home run club and Pedro Martinez re-inventing himself as a pitcher since his return from injury with the New York Mets. Hayes discussed the Philadelphia Phillies including the weekend sweep of the Mets in Shea and Cole Hamels return. O’Brien discussed the New York Yankees including taking two of three from the Boston Red Sox in Fenway over the weekend, Jorge Posada following the big collision, and the club’s rotation. Couch discussed the Chicago Cubs and White Sox including Jim Thome’s 500th home run, Ozzie Guillen’s extension, and the Cubs chances to take the National League Central. Shaikin discussed the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels including his Sunday piece on Nomar Garciapara and his recent coverage of HgH and steroids in baseball. Beck discussed the Detroit Tigers including the weekend sweep in Minnesota and this week’s pivotal series in Cleveland.