There are seven teams within two games of the NL Wild Card spot. All five NL West teams are in contention for the division title, and four NL Central teams are in contention for the title there.

Milwaukee faces a tough challenge to keep it's winning streak alive as they face Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs. Zambrano is not only pitching well, he's hit three home runs and driven in eight runs this year. One of those homers came in his last start against Milwaukee. The young Zach Jackson takes the mound for the Brewers. His control is fine (6 walks in 28 innings), but he's also allowed six homers in that time, or about 2 per nine innings.

The Astros host the reeling Cardinals again. Jason Marquis faces Wandy Rodriguez. Marquis holds a 7.78 ERA since the start of June, but managed to go 3-2. Rodriguez posts a 6.69 ERA over the same period. Look for the offenses to rule this game.

The best pitching matchup of the day is in the AL where the battle of the Sox takes place in Chicago where the Red and White meet for the first time since the ALDS. Jon Lester faces Mark Buehrle. The Red Sox are doing a good job of getting Lester out off the mound before too much damage gets done. Since his first start, he hasn't given up more than two runs in a game. He just doesn't last long. Lester's ERA could be a lot worse, but opponents are 0 for 8 with just two RBI with the bases loaded. If he's keeps playing with fire, however, he's going to get burned.

Buehrle's been nearly unbeatable in Chicago this year, posting a 5-1 record and a 2.81 ERA there. The difference is hits allowed. The opposition is hitting .224 against him at US Cellular Field, .332 away. Does the defense have a home field advantage?

Enjoy!