1* free play on the STL Cardinals...

The St. Louis Cardinals started off a nine game home stand with a three game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and they open a new series against the Dodgers tonight. The Cardinals own the best record in the majors, and they are 18-5 at home, while the Dodgers are just 7-11 on the road. I'll take the home team here at a very reasonable price.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - John Lackey will get the call for the Cardinals, and he's win-less in his last three starts. Lackey (2-3, 3.18 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits over five innings in a loss at Kansas City his last time out. He's been far better at home than he has been on the road, going 2-1 with a 1.63 ERA in four starts at Busch Stadium. The Dodgers counter with Mike Bolsinger, who has won three straight at home in LA. All three of those wins came against teams with a losing record.

2. Home Cookin' - Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger has been successful at home this season, but he's 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA in his last seven starts on the road.

3. X-Factor - Lackey is 6-3 with a 1.89 ERA in 11 career starts against the Dodgers, including postseason.

Selection: This is a play on the St. Louis Cardinals (Free)