The Texas Rangers opened a nine-game road-trip with a loss at Boston but have won five consecutive since. They're coming straight off a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium as they'll close out the road-trip with three games against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The hosts are surging as well winning six straight games and I like them to cool off the Rangers in the opener this afternoon.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Rangers will hand the ball to Phil Klein (1-0, 4.50 ERA) who'll make just his second start in the majors. He held the Red Sox to one run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in his debut-start five days ago but struggled against Cleveland in two relief appearances last season, giving up two runs on three hits with two homers over just one inning. The Tribe will counter with Shaun Marcum (1-0, 2.31 ERA) as the 33 year old will make his third start of the year. He's impressed in his first two conceding just three runs on seven hits over 11 2/3 innings of work and he's yet to lose to Texas in his career, posting a 2-0 record in eight games.

2. Head To Head - The Rangers have lost six straight meetings at Progressive Field and Cleveland took two of three in Texas from May 15-17. The Tribe have won 13 of the last 15 meetings overall.

3. X-Factor - Michael Brantley is hitting .317 on the year and homered off Klein in his only previous at bat against the right-hander.

Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Indians (8*)