The Texas Rangers finished dead last in the American League last season, winning just 67 games. The loss of ace Yu Darvish isn't going to help them improve on those numbers, and it's not quite the same with Yovani Gallardo on the mound on Opening Day. The Rangers open the season at Oakland, and I like the A's to start the season on a positive note.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Gallardo didn't impress much in 2014, going 8-11 with a 3.51 ERA. He picked up the majority of those wins day games, as he was just 3-9 with a 3.97 ERA under the lights. Sonny Gray will get the nod for the home team, and he had a decent 2014 season going 14-10 with a 3.08 ERA. He was 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA in six starts versus Texas, and he was a stellar 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA last April.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - The big bats in the Texas lineup haven't liked what they've seen from Gray in the past. Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland are a combined 0-for-11 lifetime versus the right-hander.

3. X-Factor - We don't often read to much into a team's record during the spring, but the Rangers did finish dead last in the Cactus League while the A's finished first with a record of 22-11.

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