The Oakland Athletics will be looking to deny the Seattle Mariners a sweep of this three game set at Safeco. Two of the previous five meetings on the season have been decided in extra-innings, and I expect another close encounter this afternoon.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The A's will hand the ball to Jesse Chavez (1-2, 1.80 ERA) who will make his fourth start on the year. He is 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts since being moved into the rotation and held the Twins to just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings his last start. The Mariners will counter with Felix Hernandez (5-0, 1.73 ERA) who has surrendered more than three runs only once so far this season. He did so in an 8-7 win against the A's not factoring in the decision as he gave up three runs on eight hits with two walks and just one strikeout over five innings.

2. Offensively Potent A's - Oakland has scored the fourth most runs in the majors on the season (150) while Seattle ranks among the worst with its 113 runs.

3. X-Factor - Josh Reddick is 7-for-40 lifetime against Hernandez.

Selection: This is a play on the Oakland Athletics +1.5 (8*)