8* play on San Diego Padres.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are coming off back-to-back losses in LA, and they will play the Padres in Game 1 of a new series in San Diego tonight. The Padres are coming off three straight losses in Philadelphia, but I like their chances of breaking out of this funk as they return home to PETCO.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - James Shields will get the nod for the Padres, and he delivered a quality start in his season debut at home. He allowed three runs on six hits over six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Dodgers. He was pretty good at home all of last season, going 6-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts in San Diego.

2. Home Cookin' - After playing seven of their first 10 games on the road, the Padres will be happy to be back at PETCO. Matt Kemp leads the team in home runs, batting average as well as runs batted in. He was far more productive at home last season than he was on the road, batting .288 with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs at PETCO.

3. X-Factor - The Diamondbacks are 2-5 in their last seven games versus a right-handed starter.

Selection: This is a play on the San Diego Padres (8*)