The Los Angeles Angels are on a roll, coming into Game 1 of this home series versus Oakland as winners of five straight, and eight of their last 10. The Halos are just a half game back of Houston in the AL Wild Card race, and I expect them to take care of business at home tonight versus an inferior opponent.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Felix Doubront will be on the mound for Oakland, and he's been hit hard lately. Doubront (3-3, 5.53 ERA) gave up seven runs on eight hits over just 4.2 innings in a loss to Texas in his last outing. He's surrendered 17 runs on 20 hits over 15 innings, going 0-2 in his last three starts. The Halos counter with Hector Santiago, who is 4-2 with a 2.53 ERA at home this season.

2. Home Cookin' - The Angels have won seven of Santiago's last nine home starts, while Oakland has lost 20 of it's last 28 road games.

3. X-Factor - The Athletics are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings in Los Angeles.

Selection: This is a play on the LAA (6*)