The set-up: The Colorado Rockies lost 5-3 on Friday to Miami but rebounded with a dominating 12-6 win last night, pounding out 17 hits. The Marlins and Rockies meet in the rubber match of this series on Sunday afternoon. Both teams believe they remain in the playoff ‘hunt,' as the Marlins are 58-52 (tied with the Cardinals for the NL's second wild card spot), while the 55-55 Rockies find themselves three games out (although the field is crowded). ‘Hanging over' the outcome of this game is the fact that Ichiro Suzuki is one hit shy of becoming the 30th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits. Miami manager Don Mattingly would not say whether he plans to start Suzuki on Sunday afternoon.

The pitching matchup: Adam Conley (7-6, 3.41 ERA) takes the mound for the Marlins with Jon Gray (8-4, 3.77 ERA) getting the call for the Rockies. Conley is having a solid season, as Miami is 12-10 (plus-$125) in his 22 starts. He was outstanding in July, posting a 1.82 ERA in five starts (3-0 / team was 4-1) but opened August with a dud, lasting only four innings. He allowed just two runs but was pulled after allowing five hits, six walks and hitting a batter in that span. Gray is a rookie in his first full season and he's been impressive. He's 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his last seven starts (team is 4-3), including allowing just two ERs over 26 innings in his four starts (0.69 ERA) since the All Star break (he's 3-0 and the team is 3-1).

The pick: These two young pitchers met back on June 17 in Miami, with the Marlins winning 5-1. Gray took the loss in that one, despite allowing two ERs in six innings. The "re-hook" is here in Colorado and it should be noted that Gray is 5-0 with a 3.83 ERA in nine starts at Coors Field (team is 6-3). Throw in Colorado's 16-8 record against NL East teams and it's a 10* play on the Rockies.