The Colorado Rockies are in the cellar in the NL West, but they have won four of their last five heading into tonight's series opener in San Francisco. The Giants are just one game back of the first place Dodgers, and they've won back-to-back games at home over San Diego. This looks like a favorable match-up for the visitors though, so I'll take the Rockies plus the runs.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Chad Bettis will get the nod for the visitors, and he's having a solid start to his rookie season. Bettis (3-2, 3.44 ERA) gave up one run on five hits over 6.1 innings in a win over the D'Backs in his last appearance. The Rockies have won six of eight with Bettis on the mound, and the rookie is 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA in five starts under the lights. The Giants counter with veteran Tim Hudson, who is making his final start before going on the DL to rest his aging body.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - The Rockies lineup has hit a combined .293 in previous meetings with Hudson, and Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .321 with a home run and three RBIs in 28 career at bats versus the veteran.

3. X-Factor - The Rockies have won seven of the last 10 meetings in this series, and one of the three losses came by a single run.

Selection: This is a play on the Colorado Rockies +1.5 (8*)