The Toronto Blue Jays secured the division title rather early and could afford to rest key batters over the last couple of games of the regular-season. The Texas Rangers had no such privilege and I like the well rested Jays here in game 1 of the ALDS at Rogers Centre.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Rangers hand the ball to Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA), who beat Toronto twice this season while holding them without a run over 13 2/3 innings of work. He was just 2-2 with a bloated 4.85 ERA over six September starts though and surrendered two runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings his very last start. The Blue Jays counter with David Price (18-5, 2.45) who is 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts since coming over from Detroit. He won each of his five starts in September with only eight earned runs allowed while recording 115 strikeouts over 125 frames.

2. Situational - The extended break should favor the Blue Jays who are 16-5 in their last 21 games on at least three days rest, while Texas is 1-4 in its last five games following a break.

3. X-Factor - Troy Tulowitzki has declared himself ready for the series despite battling some shoulder pain, and he's batting .407 with four doubles and a homer over 27 at bats versus Gallardo.

Selection: This is a play on the Toronto Blue Jays (6*)