For once, the manager pairing makes a game interesting to me. Joe Girardi bring the Florida Marlins into the Bronx to face his mentor, Joe Torre. The rookie manager rides into town with one of the hottest teams in baseball. Given that the talent was stripped away just after Girardi took the reigns, the fact that the Marlins are in third place in the NL East and six games out of the wild card is an impressive accomplishment. Joe Torre is also facing a challenge to his skills as two thirds of his starting outfield went down for most if not all of the season. Some thought the team might collapse, but Joe's used his replacements well, and the Yankees are still in the heat of the division race, although nowhere near the best team in the league.

One advantage for the Marlins in this game is Girardi's experience with the Yankees. He knows the hitters and the pitchers from coaching in New York last year. We'll see if he can use that to his advantage.

The Cardinals move from the frying pan into the fire as they travel to Detroit. (Obligitory Kentucky Fried Movie Reference:

Dr. Klahn: The CIA thinks they can infiltrate the Mountain of Dr. Klahn!

CIA Agent: You can't scare me, you slant-eyed yellow bastard.

Dr. Klahn: Take him to... Detroit!

CIA Agent: No! No, not Detroit! No! No, please! Anything but that! No! No!)

After getting Busch whacked on the south side of Chicago (now you're all singing Jim Croce), the Cardinals send staff ace Chris Carpenter against Justin Verlander. It's tough to pick an ace on the Detroit staff. The way the five are pitching right now is more reminiscent of the Braves of the mid 1990s. Carpenter's been stellar since returning from the DL, posting a 1.89 ERA in three starts. Good offensive clubs give Verlander trouble, as the White Sox and Yankees combined to score 17 earned runs in three starts against him.

Enjoy!