For the second time this month the Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins square off with both squads still fighting for the lead in their division. The Rays entered the week only 1.5 games back of the Red Sox in the AL East, while the Marlins sat only one game behind the Phillies in the NL East.

The series gets started on Tuesday with Rays' starter Andy Sonnanstine (8-3, 4.92) facing the Marlins' Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.51). Sonnanstine recorded his second win in a row in his last start after holding the Cubs to three runs on seven hits over five innings. Sonnanstine also earned a win against Florida after allowing three runs in five 1-3 innings the last time he faced them.

[ Check out the matchup report on this game, where the odds opened at -120 for the Marlins at ]

Olsen took the loss in his last start after getting knocked around for four runs on 11 hits in four 1-3 innings against Seattle. Olsen, who missed the Rays the last time around, is 0-3 in his last eight starts and hasn't recorded a win since May 6.

Wednesday's pitching matchup is James Shields for Tampa Bay (4-5, 3.94) and rookie Ryan Tucker (2-1, 4.50) for Florida. Shields picked up another no-decision in his last start after allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out nine in six 1-3 innings. Shields is now 0-3 in his last seven starts, and without a win since May 9.

Tucker was impressive in his last start against Seattle, holding the Mariners to two runs on seven hits in six innings. Tucker's only loss of the season so far came against Florida when he surrendered five runs on seven hits in seven innings.

In the final game of the series on Thursday, Matt Garza (5-4, 4.10) will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Florida counters with Mark Hendrickson (7-5, 5.73). Garza's last outing was a loss against Houston in which he gave up three runs on seven hits, with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Garza was dominant the last time he face Florida when he held the Marlins to one run on three hits in seven innings.

Hendrickson received a no-decision in his last start after giving up four runs on seven hits in six 1-3 innings versus Oakland. Hendrickson took the loss against Tampa Bay when he faced them earlier in the month after getting tagged for three runs on four hits in five innings.

Earlier this month, the Rays took two-of-three from the Marlins in Tampa Bay and the Fish will look to return the favor. If you are looking for experts picks on this series and on other games and events, check out the handicapping team at DocSports.com, which contributes winning selections to PointSpread.com each day.