Miami at New York

It’s always wise to look for hot pitchers or under the radar pitchers and Javier Vazquez of the Marlins fits both of those categories. He had a lousy first three months of the season, but has been on a tear, allowing 3 runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts. He’s been a strikeout machine as well, fanning 10 or more in three of those starts. Vazquez was excellent his last start against the Reds, striking out 11 batters over seven innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Since the All-Star break, Vazquez has a 3.50 ERA with 54 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 51.1 innings, looking like his old NL East-dominating self. The team is 4-1 in his last five road starts. After playing a double header yesterday, it would help to have someone on the hill who can throw innings, which Vazquez can, but NY Mets starter Mike Pelfrey (7-10, 4.60 ERA) does not, averaging five innings his last five starts. In his last two starts, he has a 5.80 ERA, giving up 17 hits and 6 walks in 11 innings! The Mets are 0-6 in the last six starts he’s made on five days of rest. Play the Marlins.