The Milwaukee Brewers finished the first half of the season sitting bottom of the NL Central, 16.5 games back of the Pittsburgh Pirates who sitting second in the same division. I like the Brew Crew to come out ahead of tonight's contest though as the teams open a three-game series at Miller Park Friday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Pirates hand the ball to Charlie Morton (6-2, 4.15 ERA) who's been hit extremely hard of late going 1-2 with an 8.68 ERA in his last four outings. Odds are he'll struggle at Milwaukee tonight again as he's compiled a 9.24 ERA over three road-starts on the year, and he's 3-6 with a 4.11 ERA in 12 career starts despite holding the Brewers scoreless over 7 1/3 innings home at Pittsburgh earlier this season. The Brewers will counter with Mike Fiers (4-7, 3.96 ERA) who's off a rather disappointing start when he conceded four runs on just as many hits over six innings against the Braves on July 8. He had gone 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his previous three starts though and he's improved by each month gone this season.

2. Situational - The Brewers have won eight of their last 10 when coming up against a right-handed starter and for all their struggles at home, remember that they've won four straight at Miller Park with Fiers on the mound. Pittsburgh meanwhile has lost three of its last 10 away from home with Morton getting the start.

3. X-Factor - Ryan Braun is 8-for-20 with an RBI against Morton lifetime.

Selection: This is a play on the Milwaukee Brewers (10*)