The Washington Nationals have split the first two of a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies and have won just three of their last nine. They're still in the playoff race though sitting just 1.5 games behind the New York Mets who own the NL East top spot and this should be a good opportunity for the Nats to pick up an easy "W".

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Yohan Flande (2-1, 3.54 ERA) will take the ball for the Rockies making his third start of the year. He's worked just a total of 28 innings this season with bullpen appearances included and he's 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA in two career starts (both last year) versus Washington who can counter with its ace Max Scherzer (11-8, 2.31). The 31 year old right-hander ranks third in the majors with 181 strikeouts has been dominant all season long. He's 5-3 with a 1.47 ERA in nine day-starts for the year and has the current Colorado team limited to a .209 AVG over 43 at bats.

2. Road Woes - The Rockies are (as usual) one of the worst road-teams in baseball with a 21-33 record for the year. They're 1-5 in Flande's last six road starts and have lost four of the last five meetings at Nationals Park.

3. X-Factor - The Nats are 5-2 in their last seven games with umpire Alan Porter behind home plate.

Selection: This is a play on the Washington Nationals -1.5 (8*)