Florida hasn't played its best baseball lately. That fact is noted. However, the Marlins know that their recent play hasn't officially kept them out of the playoff hunt and they'll check into AT&T Park completely focused on the task at hand.

Off Sunday's 9-2 loss to Chicago, Florida will turn to its more reliable arm - right hander Ricky Nolasco. In his last four starts against St. Louis, New York, Colorado and the Mets again, Nolasco has been in a zone. With 26.2 frames in the bank, Ricky has been touched for only 28 this and 10 earned runs. That breaks down to a respectable 3.37 ERA! Equally impressive, on foreign soil this year, No. 47 has been effective allowing only 35 earned runs and 78 hits in 80.1 frames. That adds up to a nifty 6-3 overall mark and a decent 3.92 ERA!

San Francisco will counter with San Diego, California product Kevin Correia. So far this season, Correia has deposited 82.2 frames in the bank and been tagged for 47 earned runs and 95 hits. That shakes down to a dismal 2-6 record and a woeful 5.12 ERA. Kevin's efforts at home haven't been that good either. Through 37.1 frames, Correia has been slapped for 19 earned runs and 43 hits. That equates to a soft 1-2 record and a poor 4.58 ERA!

The angles don't favor Frisco either. The Giants have dropped 18 of their last 24 versus a greater than .500 foe and 10 of Correia's last 13 starts. Meanwhile, the Marlins have tasted victory in 12 of their last 17 with Ricky on the bump. Take Florida with listed pitcher Nolasco. Thank you and best of luck, Tom Stryker.

Currently resting 5 1/2 games back in the American League Wild Card standings behind Minnesota and Boston, New York knows it must start playing with a sense of urgency. The Blue Jays are 7 1/2 games back in the Wild Card Standings and a series loss would be costly for the Yankees.

To get things started on the right foot, the Pinstripes will turn to No. 27 Darrell Rasner. In his last two starts both on the road against the Twins and Angels, Rasner pitched well. In 9.1 innings of work, Darrell was touched for five earned runs and nine hits. Unfortunately, New York dropped both battles.

Toronto will send flamethrower A.J. Burnett to the bump. Respect is certainly given to Burnett's 9-3 overall home record. However, A.J. has been hit hard at Rogers Centre. With 51.0 innings completed north of the border, No. 34 was cracked for 42 earned runs and 80 hits. That adds up to a lofty 5.13 ERA. Burnett's last three starts haven't been that great either. Matched up against Detroit, Oakland and Texas, A.J. was tagged for 12 earned runs and 21 hits in just 17.2 frames. That breaks down to an elevated 6.11 ERA!

Yes, the Blue Jays are a spotless 7-0 in Burnett's last seven home starts. However, the Yankees bats came to life in Sunday's 15-6 victory over Kansas City and they'll keep that offensive momentum going tonight. Take New York with listed pitcher Rasner. Thank you and best of luck, Tom Stryker.

Off last night's 6-4 loss at Tampa Bay and with Tropical Storm Fay hopefully keeping its distance, Los Angeles should be able to bounce back nicely with Ervin Santana on the hill.

With a 1-3 overall record and an embarrassing 8.16 ERA in five career starts against the Devil Rays, Santana will certainly be pumped up for this contest. Ervin enters this game with a little momentum of his own. In his last three starts against Seattle, Baltimore and New York, No. 54 has been scratched for only seven earned runs and 20 hits in 21.1 innings of work. That breaks down to a stellar 2-0 record and a solid 2.95 ERA. Santana's work on foreign soil has been awesome this year too. As a guest, Ervin has surrendered only 36 earned runs and 85 hits in 94.0 frames. That shakes down to a stellar 9-2 overall mark and a nifty 3.45 ERA!

Respect is certainly given to Tampa Bay pitcher James Shields and his efforts at home this year. In his own backyard, Shields owns a sweet 7-1 record and a powerful 2.21 ERA. Unfortunately, James hasn't been at his best with the lights on. At night, the Newhall, California product has been tagged for 50 earned runs and 110 hits in 107.1 innings of work. That equates to a mediocre 6-6 overall mark and a soft 4.19 ERA.

On a technical note, the Halos have cashed 22 of their last 29 when matched up against a greater than .500 foe and 21 of their last 28 battling teams from the AL East. Take Los Angeles with listed pitcher Santana. Thank you and best of luck, Tom Stryker.