Neither the Seattle Mariners or the Los Angeles Angels are coming into this contest with any momentum to speak of when the two struggling AL West rivals will do battle at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the opener of a three game set. The Angels have lost three in a row and the Mariners four, but I think the visitors are coming in here as an unreasonable big favorite and I like the price we get on the home-team on the run-line.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Felix Hernandez (4-0, 1.82 ERA) will toe the slab for the Mariners coming off five dominant performances on the year. He allowed one run on two hits over seven innings against the Angels in the season debut on April 6, but might not be able to count on much run-support here from a team who has one of the worst batting averages in the majors this season. The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 6.00 ERA) who's off a decent outing at Oakland where he gave up three runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 28 year old right-hander was 9-3 with a 2.10 ERA home in Anaheim last year and was 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA over three outings against Seattle. The Mariners have lost each of their last four games when coming up against a right-handed starter.

2. Situational - The Angles have won eight of Shoemaker's last nine starts coming in as an underdog and each of his last seven when Shoemaker's had four days of rest. The Mariners meanwhile are 1-6 in their last seven coming in as a favorite of -110 to -150 and have lost each of their last four on the road.

3. X-Factor - Mike Trout is hitting a solid .365 with three homers over 52 at bats against Hernandez lifetime.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Angels +1.5 (8*)