This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the Marlins/Red Sox UNDER.

I think this "one off" interleague contest in Boston will fall UNDER the number.

Miami has lost eight of its last ten, but it just snapped a nine-game losing streak in yesterady's 3-1 win at Pittsburgh.

With two straight series at home starting tomorrow night against the Rockies and Braves though, who would fault this young National League side for getting caught "looking ahead" here?

Boston has been playing well of late, it's won seven of its last ten, including four in a row. And that includes three straight victories in New York over the weekend, including last night's high-scoring 6-5 extra innings victory.

Can anyone say letdown spot here for Boston, especially with back-to-back home series starting tomorrow against the Astros and the Blue Jays?!

Situationally it sets up great for a pitchers duel.

And these starting pitchers have both been decent this year.

The Marlins go with Pablo Lopez, who is 1-3, but with a 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a sharp 68:19 K:BB over 67 innings of work. He's been better at home than on the road, but he's off a strong start and note that he's been great in all "day" games, going 1-2 with a 1.73 ERA.

Nick Pivetta is 6-1 with a 3.77 ERA. He took his first loss of the year against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing just two runs and striking out nine over six innings. Pivetta now looks to bounce back at home, a place where he's gone 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA.

Everything points to the UNDER as the correct all in this one.

Good luck, NP