The New York Mets managed to take a series from their local-rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers with an emphatic 8-0 win at Dodger Stadium in the series-finale Sunday. I expect them to struggle at AT&T Park tonight though as they're staying in California for a three-game set against the World Series Champs the San Francisco Giants.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Mets will hand the ball to Jonathon Niese (3-8, 3.90 ERA) who's a win-less 0-6 in his last nine starts. The left-hander has struggled away from home all season long with a 1-5 record behind a 4.02 ERA over eight starts and run-support has been scarce as well. He surrendered four runs (two earned) in seven innings against the Giants home at Citi Field back in June. The Giants will counter with Chris Heston (8-5, 3.78 ERA), and he's been at his very best under the lights this year compiling a 2.71 ERA over 11 starts compared to a 6.93 ERA over five day-games. He shut out the Mets over nine innings while fanning 11 batters last month and will be looking for a similar performance tonight.

2. The Mets Bats - The Mets .234 batting average for the year is better than only the Mariners' and they had a .183 team batting average over their last 16 before yesterday's outburst at Dodger Stadium.

3. X-Factor - Buster Posey is riding an 11-game hitting streak while batting .410 over 39 at bats and he's 8-for-22 lifetime versus Niese.

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