The San Diego Padres came into the opener of a three game set at AT&T Park on the back of a three game sweep against the Rockies but found themselves shut out in a 2-0 defeat last night. The San Francisco Giants have now won four consecutive games for the first time this season and I expect them to keep tonight's contest a close one at the very least.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Padres will hand the ball to Andrew Cashner (1-4, 2.61 ERA) who's off a pair of losses over which he's received just two runs of support total. He was an impressive 4-3 with a 1.43 ERA home in San Diego last year, but was just 1-4 with a 4.31 ERA on the road and he surrendered eight runs on 12 hits over just 13 innings over two outings at AT&T Park on the year. The Giants will counter with Ryan Vogelsong (0-2, 9.31 ERA) who'll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Dodger Stadium. He held the Dodgers to just two runs on three hits over six innings home in San Francisco in his last start prior though and might be catching the Padres at a good time here as they've mustered only five runs over their last three on the road.

2. Let Down Padres - San Diego has won just two of its last 13 coming in as a road favorite overall and its 1-5 in Cashner's last six starts as a favorite away from home. The Giants meanwhile are 5-0 in their last five as a home underdog and also 5-0 in their last five when hosting a team with a winning record.

3. X-Factor - Buster Posey left AT&T Park without a hit last night but had gone 11-for-31 over a seven game hitting-streak prior. He's owned Cashner in previous meetings hitting .529 with two homers, two walks and no strikeouts over 17 at bats.

Selection: This is a play on the San Francisco Giants +1.5 (8*)