The Houston Astros are still sitting in first in the AL West, 2.5 games clear of Texas. They host Colorado this afternoon, and the Rockies are in the cellar in the in the NL West. Colorado has lost four of five on this road trip, and I don't like it's chances here in Houston this afternoon.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Rockies will send Chris Rusin to the mound, and he's coming off his worst performance of the season. Rusin (2-1, 3.38 ERA) gave up six runs on 11 hits over 5.1 frames in a 6-0 loss at Miami in his latest outing. The Astros counter with 23 year old rookie Vincent Velasquez, who makes just his second career start. He tossed five scoreless frames in his debut, allowing four his and striking out five.

2. George Springer - The Astros slugger hit a pair of home runs last night, and he's riding an eight game hit streak, going 16-for-32 (.500) during that span.

3. X-Factor - With an ERA of 2.66, the Astros relievers rank second in the American League behind only Kansas City.

Selection: This is a play on the Houston Astros (8*)