The Detroit Tigers managed to end a seven-game slide with a 5-4 upset against the Washington Nationals last night. The series is now tied at 1-1, and the Tigers are looking good to give the Nats a run for their money again in the rubber-match tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Nats hand the ball to Max Scherzer who was torched for seven runs on seven hits and three walks while giving up three home runs over five innings of an 8-6 loss to the Cubs his last start. Scherzer spent 2010-2014 with Detroit, but has not faced the club since. The Tigers counter with Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.10 ERA) who spent 2009-2015 with Washington, and he has been excellent in his first six starts with Detroit. Zimmermann has yielded a total of one run in 19 1/3 innings in three starts on the road this year.

2. Road Warriors - The Tigers are 5-1 in their last six interleague road games and Zimmerman is obviously very familiar with Nationals Park after spending seven seasons there.

3. X-Factor - Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been cold this season, but this could be a turning point as he is 6-for-15 with a homer in previous meetings with Scherzer. It's also noteworthy that six of his 15 hits this year have reached the seats with four doubles and a triple.

Selection: This is a play on the Detroit Tigers +1.5 (8*)