For do or die series start tonight, four trailing teams sitting on the edge of the division race have a chance to sweep a division leader and at least make things interesting for the last two weeks of the season. The Yankees visit Boston with Andy Pettitte facing Daisuke Matsuaka. A sweep puts New York 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox with two weeks to play. I'll be interested to see how many righties Francona starts against Andy. He's a reverse lefty, meaning righties have more trouble with Pettitte than lefties. Dice-K's ERA ballooned since the middle of August. It makes you wonder if the longer MLB season is wearing him down, or if having seem him for a few months, hitters figured out what he's throwing. Maybe the gyroball isn't that special after all.

The Phillies and Mets present the battle of old lefties as Philadelphia attempts to repeat the sweep and close the gap with New York to 3 1/2 games. Jamie Moyer takes on Tom Glavine at Shea. Moyer is showing his age as he's allowed a 6.68 ERA since the all-star break, giving up 87 hits in 62 innings. Glavine, however, found a second wind in the second half, going 6-0 since the All-Star break and not allowing a home run in his last eight starts.

The Cubs and Cardinals start their four game series with their best pitchers on the mound as Carlos Zambrano faces Adam Wainwright. Although, you could argue the way Carlos pitched since signing his new contract, he's not the best on the team anymore. He's been walking a ton of batters lately. Despite all the turmoil in St. Louis, Wainwright put up an impressive first season as a starter. His home run rate is very good, and he's improved in the second half, especially striking out batters. He's someone Cardinals fans can get excited about for 2008.

On the west coast, the Dodgers play three against the Diamondbacks as they sit 5 1/2 games out of first. Doug Davis will try to keep Arizona winning. Although he has a 5-8 record away from home, Davis is much more effective on the road, keeping his home run total low. Brad Penny's done that where ever he pitched, allowing just five on the year and two at Dodger Stadium in 105 2/3 innings.

Enjoy!