8* play on Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are sitting second in the AL West with a 9-9 record, but they are coming off a home series versus the Dodgers which saw them lose two of three games. They will host the Pirates in Game 1 of a new series tonight, and this looks like a good spot for Colorado to get back on track.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Jeff Locke will be on the mound for the visitors, and he's off to a rocky start. Locke (0-2, 7.24 ERA) was torched for eight runs on 11 hits over just three innings at "pitcher friendly" PETCO in his last start. He's 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in his last three starts at Coors Field, and this looks like a tough spot for the struggling southpaw.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - Nolan Arenado is ranked near the top of the major leagues again in 2016 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs so far. He's owned Locke, batting .545 lifetime against the lefty.

3. X-Factor - The Pirates are 1-5 in Lockes last six road starts.

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