Smack-ooh-splash: Who will be the first slugger to splash one into the Allegheny tomorrow night? Ryan Howard keeps coming to mind.

Tuesday: Is there some sort of game in town?

The hit man: Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who rode a torrid June into the batting stratosphere at .391, would become The Story of the second half if he keeps it up. Opening the second half with 11 games vs. pitching thin Cleveland (.276 opponent BA) and Tampa Bay (.279), there's no reason to think he can't.