The San Francisco Giants opened a six-game road-trip with three losses at Miami, and odds are they'll struggle at Nationals Park for the opener of a three-game set against the Washington Nationals tonight as well. The Nats have won only one of their last four overall but six straight home in D.C. and should have a significant edge on the mound in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Giants will hand the ball to Jake Peavy (0-2, 9.39 ERA) who has joined the rotation again together with Matt Cain as Tim Lincecum and Tim Hudson will be unavailable for some time. He's not pitched in the majors since conceding four runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-0 loss on April 17 and is 4-5 with a 3.87 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Nats who will counter with Gio Gonzalez (5-4, 4.41). Gonzalez is off seven shutout innings of four-hit ball against the Pirates on June 21 but had his last scheduled start postponed due to raining. The 29 year old southpaw is in other words coming in well rested, and he's been dominant home in Washington all season with a 3-1 record behind a 2.65 ERA in six starts.

2. Situational - The Nats have won four straight games when coming up against a right-handed starter and they're 7-1 in Gonzalez's last eight home starts against a team with a winning record. The Giants on the other hand have lost four straight on the road and also each of Peavy's last four starts away from home.

3. X-Factor - Denard Span is 7-for-18 in his last five games and 7-for-20 with five doubles and only two strikeout against Peavy lifetime.

Selection: This is a play on the Washington Nationals (8*)