The Chicago Cubs endured a mini-skid but are back on track with five consecutive victories. They'll host the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday afternoon, a Dodgers team that has bounced back from some adveritites of its own winning six of seven following a 1-6 stretch. Backing the Cubs home at Wrigley Field have often been a winning proposition this season though, and I think the Cubs will take down this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Dodgers hand the ball to Alex Wood (1-3, 4.03 ERA). The left-hander is without a winning decision in his last seven games and he's 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA in five road starts this season. The Cubs counter with Jason Hammel (6-1, 2.17) who held the Cardinals to one run on four hits in 7 1/3 frames of a 12-3 win his last turn. The Cubs have won seven of his nine starts this season and each of his three at home where Hammel is 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA.

2. Cubs Vs. Southpaws - Chicago is 5-1 in its last six home games when coming up against a left-handed starter and it has a National League best on base percentage at .366 against southpaws.

3. X-Factor - The Cubs have averaged 7.6 runs per game during their winning streak.

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