MIAMI -- Forget the past. It's time to move on, drop the comparisons to 2003 and all the storybook subplots that made the Marlins improbable World Series champions.

Put to rest discussing Game 6 at Yankee Stadium when Josh Beckett turned in a performance for the ages, tossing a five-hit shutout to clinch a title for the surprising Marlins.

 

Being reigning World Series MVP means little to Beckett, with 40 regular season games remaining now and the Marlins within reach of capturing either the Wild Card or running down the Braves in the NL East.

 

At 62-60, the Marlins are riding some momentum after going 6-3 on a tough road swing through Milwaukee, Los Angeles and San Diego. Florida took two of three in all three cities, moving five games back of the Giants in the Wild Card standings and 7 1/2 behind the Braves.

 

While they are playing catch-up, the Marlins can cover more ground beginning Tuesday because they have a three-game set upcoming with the Giants at Pro Player Stadium. And in the coming weeks, they will face the Cubs, another Wild Card combatant, six times.

 

Already close enough to dream big again, the Marlins feel they need standout stretch-run performances from their hardest two throwing right-handed starters.

 

Beckett and A.J. Burnett both have fastballs that reach 97-100 mph, but combined the two are a disappointing 8-13 with a 4.31 ERA.

 

"We need them," pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said. "Right now we're still in striking distance. So that 8-13 record is wiped out. If they start right now and say, 'Hey, what we do the rest of the season matters. We don't worry about that 8-13 record.'

 

"What those guys do will dictate what we will do."

 

Both are scheduled to start in the series against the Giants. Burnett gets the nod Tuesday, and after Dontrelle Willis pitches Wednesday, Beckett will close out the series with San Francisco.

 

Last Saturday, Beckett showed signs of regaining his command.

 

He was on the winning end of an 8-2 decision at San Diego, marking his first win since topping Houston on May 20.

 

The 24-year-old from Spring, Tex., had gone nine straight outings without experiencing a win before his effort at Petco Park.

 

It's not so much that Beckett has pitched terribly. He just hasn't stayed healthy in '04.

 

Three times he's been on the disabled list. On May 31, he went down with a blister to his right middle finger, his fourth blister problem in three seasons. When he returned for his first start afterwards in mid-June, he pulled a rib-cage muscle. In that performance, he resembled the Beckett of last fall, striking out eight in 3 2/3 innings before he felt discomfort in his lower back. That night he went back on the disabled list.

 

Bad luck struck again on July 5 when skin ripped off the blister area, causing yet more time on the disabled list, and a fifth career blister-related disabled list trip.

 

Never able to get into a routine, Beckett has struggled. But he feels close to breaking out of his slump. His optimism is based on his final three innings pitched at Petco Park. While the Padres did score a run on a Khalil Greene home run, Beckett made a mechanical change that may help him from here on out.

 

"I figured some things out in my mechanics," he said. "The last three innings were the best three innings that I've pitched since I've come off the DL."

 

Healthy again, Beckett is not concentrating on the past. Don't bother bringing up the 2003 World Series. He is ready to move on.

 

"I'm not worried about last year," Beckett said. "This is this year. We've got to stop waiting for last year to happen again. That was last year. This is 2004. Everybody that is in front of us now is different people than they were last year. We've got to go after these guys.

 

"World Series MVP? What have you done lately? That's all I'm worried about."

 

Like Beckett, Burnett has been struggling to get victories. He's 3-6 with a 4.36 ERA. But his circumstances are a bit different.

 

Battling back from Tommy John surgery last April, Burnett didn't start his season until June.

 

He's pitched better than his record indicates. Most recently, he suffered a tough loss at Los Angeles, dropping a 6-1 decision at Dodger Stadium. Still, he had a quality start, giving up three runs on four hits in six innings.

 

"I think every time it's a little bit better," Burnett said of getting stronger and more proficient. "Every time I'm still making a mental mistake here and there. I'm strong. My arm feels great. I can't even tell I've had surgery. I'm getting quality starts almost every time out. Six, seven, eight innings. The only thing that gets me is we're five games out."

I hate to say it, but this series against the Giants and series against the Cubs are make or breaks for the season. If they don't capitalize on thier opportunities against these two teams, its going to be very, very difficult to make it to the playoffs this year.

 

If the Marlins can get six games against these two teams and the Fish should be sitting pretty

If we get back into the playoffs, we'll win the WS. Mark my words.

If we get back into the playoffs, we'll win the WS. Mark my words.

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probably...since weve got to the playoffs only twice and we won the ws 2 times...

We just have to win from here on out. This is a great time for the Marlins and us fans. This team is really being challenged. Got to love it.

 

Beckett and Burnett are due, too. If we are to get back into the playoffs, they will have to take over. Remember Beckett last season during the final stretch run? That is what we need again - and I think Burnett is definetly up for the challenge.