The Oakland A's will host Texas in Game 1 of a three game series on the West Coast tonight, and this one is shaping up to be a pitcher's duel. The Rangers have won seven of their last nine, but they are big underdogs here with Oakland sending ace Sonny Gray to the mound.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Gray (7-2, 1.65) owns the lowest ERA in the major leagues, and he's coming off three straight wins. The right-hander tossed eight scoreless frames, striking out seven in a 6-1 win at Detroit in his most recent outing. He's 3-1 with a 1.41 ERA in five starts at home. The Rangers will counter with Nick Martinez, who is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in five starts on the road.

2. Injuries - There are some big bats missing from the Texas lineup, with both Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre on the disabled list.

3. X-Factor - The Athletics are 6-1 in Grays last 7 starts vs. Rangers.

Selection: This is a play on the Oakland A's (8*)