The Chicago Cubs have cooled off after an flaming start to the season. They've won "only" three of their past seven games but evened out this series against the Milwaukee Brewers with a 2-1 win yesterday. They'll have a huge advantage in the mound in the series finale Thursday afternoon though and my money is on the visitors at Miller Park today.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Cubs hand the ball to Jason Hammel (5-0, 1.77 ERA) who is off to the best beginning to any of his 11 seasons. The Cubs have won each of the 33 year old's six starts since a 3-2 defeat at Arizona on April 8. Hammel is 8-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 11 career starts against Milwaukee which counters with Junior Guerra (2-0, 4.00) who will make his fourth career start. The 31 year old Venezuelan conceded four runs in six innings in each of his first two starts before holding the Padres scoreless with two hits over six innings his last start. The Cubs lineup is a lot more dangerous than any he has faced so far though.

2. Chicago's Lineup - The Cubs have just the 10th best batting average in the majors but their batters have shown great patience at the plate. Chicago has the very best on base percentage at .361 and its 191 walks is 22 more than the next team.

3. X-Factor - Milwaukee's Ryan Braun is troubled with stiffness in his back and sat out yesterday's contest.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Cubs (8*)