The Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners are tied for second place in the AL West, seven games back of division-leading Houston. The Mariners won the opener of this three game set 3-2 last night and the Angels have now lost all of their last four games. I like the price we get on them to bounce back with a win tonight though.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Mariners will hand the ball to James Paxton (0-2 , 5.74 ERA) who tossed six innings against the Angels in a 2-0 loss against the Angels in his season debut where he surrendered two runs on four hits over six innings. He's still looking for his first win on the season as he's either been torched himself or not been provided with adequate run-support and runs are not likely to come easy for the Mariners tonight either as the Halos counter with Garret Richards (2-1 , 3.00 ERA). The 26 year old right-hander is coming off back-to-back wins over which he's given up only a combined three runs on seven hits while lasting six and seven innings respectively. He held Seattle to one run on four hits over 15 innings last year and is 3-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 appearances (five starts) against Seattle over his career.

2. Road Woes - Seattle has won just one of its last five games away from home and none of Paxton's last five starts outside of Seattle. The Halos meanwhile are 7-2 in Richards' last nine home starts.

3. X-Factor - Paxton is win-less over his last nine starts.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Angels (8*)