Preview/Prediction

The Florida Marlins (62-61) begin a six-game road trip in Citi Field against the New York Mets (62-62).

The Marlins come in having won five of six and send their ace Josh Johnson to the mound. The Mets counter with knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey, who has been a pleasant surprise.

Johnson is coming off a good outing where he pitched eight innings of two-run baseball against the Pirates. That isn't saying much, but it's a great sign to see him bounce back from his worst outing of the year against the Reds.

NEW YORK CITY: After going 4-3 on the just-completed road trip, the Mets will open a six-game home stand tonight against the Marlins and Astros. It'll be a very intriguing matchup between two pitchers having good seasons.

The Marlins, who generally have plenty of Mets killers on their team, will have a very different look. They traded Jorge Cantu at the trading deadline and just lost two more players over the last week.

After losing the first game 3-2, the New York Yankees need to win Tuesday night against the Blue Jays at Rogers Center.

The Tampa Bay Rays have caught up to tie in the standings, and the Boston Red Sox are still very much alive.

Translation...inter-division games can kill a team’s chances for playoff berth, so the Yankees cannot lose this series for starters.

Here is the New York Mets projected 2013 lineup:

Catcher - Josh Thole
First Base - Ike Davis
Second Base - Reese Havens
Third Base - David Wright
Shortstop - Jose Reyes
Left Field - Jason Bay
Center Field - Angel Pagan
Right Field - Wilmer Flores
No. 1 Starter - Johan Santana
No. 2 Starter - Mike Pelfrey
No. 3 Starter - Jenrry Mejia
No. 4 Starter - Jon Niese
No. 5 Starter     Matt Harvey
Closer - Bobby Parnell

"I saw his life slippin'. "This is a minor setback; still in all, we livin', just dream about the getback." That made him smile, though his eyes said 'Pray for me.' I'll do you one better and slay these brothers faithfully." - Jay-Z, "Dead Presidents II"

If you've watched any spaghetti Western, film noir or crime drama, then you know the role of the tragic hero. He's usually a shifty-eyed guy, always sweating, nervously smoking a cigarette and looking as if he hasn't slept in days.

For the Minnesota Twins, 2010 has been a roller coaster ride for the starting pitching staff.

It's been almost a different pitcher stepping up to lead the club every month. 

Of late, Carl Pavano appears to be ready to settle into the ace of the staff. 

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been talked about being put on waivers that would probably send the veteran to a playoff contending team. He does have a full no trade clause that can prevent him from being on waivers and being traded.

The Dodgers are 8.0 games back of 1st place in the National League West, and the Wild Card is full of other tough teams to beat. The chance of reaching the postseason for the team seems unlikely. 

It's that time again: The time when the end of the season is approaching and everyone starts making their end-season predictions.

The Phillies have been supported by a handful of experts for the last couple of years. The remainder however, have been contrary.

Hindsight is 20/20 they say, and it is. But lets take a peek back to 2008, the magical year for the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans.

What a rare opportunity for rookie pitcher Ivan Nova to make his mark in New York Yankees pinstripes, by making his Major League debut tonight vs. the heavy-hitting Toronto Blue Jays.

Getting called up from Scranton-Wilkes-Barre is every rookie’s goal, but to start against another AL East ball-club, in middle of a tight pennant race is a lot of pressure. Can Ivan Nova do his job?

Winning a Triple Crown is one of the rarest feats in all of baseball. Very rarely do we even see one player contending for the average, home run, and RBI titles.

And you're telling me that there are three contenders in the National League this year?

Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, Cincinnati's Joey Votto, and St. Louis's Albert Pujols are all in the hunt for the Triple Crown. And if none of them wins the honor, it will be one of them that keeps another from winning.

All season long, these three have been hitting absurdly for average and power.