Nolasco prepares for pitching in chilly weather

CINCINNATI -- Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco will take the hill in Minnesota on Monday night with a bit of unease -- and a whole lot of Hot Stuff athletic cream.

"A lot of Hot Stuff on the arm -- that cream that just keeps your arm loose," Nolasco said. "You're going to have to lube that up nice and thick."

Nolasco will need heating cream -- and a lot of it -- because game-time temperatures will be in the low-30s. Rain and snow are in the forecast.

"Baseball is not meant to be played in that weather," Nolasco said.

The Corona, Calif., native has spent his entire eight-year career with the Marlins and is accustomed to pitching in warm weather. Monday will be, unofficially, the coldest temperatures Nolasco has pitched in since April 22, 2009 -- a day game at Pittsburgh. Nolasco allowed five earned runs on eight hits over six innings in a 7-4 loss.

Game-time temperature was 42 degrees.

While conventional wisdom says that pitchers have the advantage in cooler temperatures, Nolasco isn't so sure.

"I don't think anybody has an advantage in that kind of weather," he said. "It is what it is, though. Everybody else has to deal with it, so I'll deal with it and see what happens.

"Hopefully we'll come out on top."

Nolasco, 30, is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA this season. He has 15 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.