The St. Louis Cardinals have played some decent baseball since the All Star break in winning eight of 13 games. Two of the defeats came in a three-game set with the Marlins to open the second half of the schedule, and I think the Fish will get the better of the Cards home at Marlins Park Thursday night as well.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Marlins hand the ball to Jose Fernandez (12-4, 2.54 ERA) who held the Mets to a pair of runs in seven innings of a 7-2 win his last start. He's 9-1 with a 1.63 ERA in 11 starts home at Marlins Park this season. The Cardinals counter with Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.37 ERA). He was lucky to allow only two runs against the Dodgers his last start as he gave up 10 hits and a walk.

2. Night Games - The Fish are a solid 40-27 under the lights this season while the Cards are barely .500 with a 35-34 record.

3. X-Factor - Dee Gordon will return to the Marlins' lineup after serving an 80-game ban for using performance-enhancing drugs. He led the NL in steals and batting average last year and will add another threat to the Marlins already dangerous offense.

Selection: This is a play on the Miami Marlins (6*)