The world’s top golfers compete at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and the rival Red Sox and Yankees start a series.

Colliding in the Junior Circuit . . .

John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA) will take on Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) on Thursday night as the Red Sox and Yankees begin their four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Righthander Smoltz was knocked around for five earned runs on eight hits over six innings by the Orioles last time out, but still managed to pick up a victory. Righthander Chamberlain has won each of his last three outings, holding the Rays scoreless on three hits in eight innings in his most recent start.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Thursday it’ll be Baltimore at Detroit, Texas at Oakland, Seattle and Kansas City, the Angels at the White Sox, and Minnesota at Cleveland. Nick Blackburn (8-5, 3.83 ERA) will get the start for the Twins in that contest; righthander Blackburn has been in a tailspin, allowing 17 earned runs over his last 15 1-3 innings of work. The Indians will counter with Fausto Carmona (2-6, 7.13 ERA), who got a no-decision vs. the Tigers last start.

Clashing in the Senior Circuit . . .

Cliff Lee (1-0, 1.00 ERA in the National League) will be back on the mound for the Phillies at home on Thursday afternoon as they host the Rockies and Aaron Cook (10-3, 3.88 ERA). Lefthander Lee won his Phillies debut last time out, holding the Giants to a single earned run on four hits over his nine innings of work. Righthander Cook had to settle for a no-decision in his most recent start against the Reds, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Also on tap around the NL on Thursday: Florida at Washington, Arizona at Pittsburgh, the Mets at San Diego, and Atlanta at the Dodgers. Derek Lowe (11-7, 4.21 ERA) will be trying to pitch the Braves to a victory in that matchup; righthander Lowe has won three straight starts, and Atlanta is 5-0 in his last five outings. The Dodgers will counter with lefthander Randy Wolf (5-6, 3.47 ERA), who was beaten by the Braves in his last start (three earned runs in six innings).

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Tiger Woods is the 8/5 Vegas favorite to get the win this week in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron. Woods is coming off a victory in last week’s Buick Open, and is well ahead of rival Phil Mickelson (12/1) on the Vegas odds list. Sergio Garcia, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, and Lee Westwood are all pegged at 25/1 to get the victory, with Geoff Ogilvy, Henrik Stenson, Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, Stewart Cink, and Retief Goosen at 30/1.

As well, the lesser-lights of the PGA Tour will be competing in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open at Montreux this week. Charley Hoffman is pegged as the 15/1 Vegas favorite to get the win in that second-tier event, with Andres Romero at 18/1 odds. John Mallinger, Kevin Na, and Vaughn Taylor are all listed at 20/1.

Finally, there are two WNBA games on the schedule for Thursday, with Seattle at Los Angeles and Atlanta at San Antonio. The Dream have won three straight contests and now sit at 10-10 straight-up and a lucrative 13-5-2 against-the-spread on the season. The Silver Stars are 9-10 both SU and ATS after knocking off Los Angeles 63-59 on the road on Tuesday afternoon. Becky Hammon had 20 points in that matinee win for San Antonio, while Sophia Young had 12 points.