The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a four-game skid Sunday when they defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-0. They'll host a Minnesota twins team that has split its last six on the road at Detroit and Cleveland for the opener of a two-game set Tuesday, and I like the visitors chances in this match-up.


Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Twins will hand the ball to Ricky Nolasco (3-1, 6.38 ERA) who has found ways to win despite compiling a rather high ERA. He's coming off his best start of the year when he gave up only two unearned runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings of work in a 6-2 win at Detroit on May 13. He's held his own in previous meetings with the Pirates going 5-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 career meetings. The Pirates will counter with Francisco Liriano (1-3, 2.96 ERA) who's coming off a pair of losses in which he's surrendered nine runs, (eight earned) on 13 hits with two homers over 13 1/3 innings combined. He's still to record a home-win on the year going 0-2 behind a 4.67 ERA in three home-starts so far.

2. Home Woes - The Pirates have lost five of the last seven when hosting the Twins and they've won just one of Liriano's last eight starts home at PNC Park.

3. X-Factor - Joe Mauer is 0-for-2 against Liriano but has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games.

Selection: This is a play on the Minnesota Twins +1.5 (8*)