The Baltimore Orioles enter Thursday's series-opener against the Toronto Blue Jays parked at the very top of the AL East after winning seven of their past eight games. This looks like a favorable spot for the Jays though, and my money is on the home team at Rogers Centre tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Toronto hands the ball to Marcus Stroman (5-2, 4.82 ERA). The 25 year old has been far from great in recent starts, but his numbers against Baltimore are solid. Stroman is 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in previous meetings with the Birds, and he held them to three runs in seven innings of a 4-3 win at Camden Yards on April 19. Baltimore counters with Tyler Wilson (2-5, 4.39 ERA) who much like Stroman has struggled lately. He allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings last Saturday in an 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees. He'll have his hands full with Kevin Pillar who is 4-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs in the last two games.

2. Home Cookin' - Toronto returns home after splitting a pair of three-game series at Boston and Detroit. The Jays hitters will be excited to be back at Rogers Centre were Toronto has won five of its past six contests.

3. X-Factor - One of the Orioles big hitters, Chris Davis, did not play yesterday and his availability for tonight's contest is questionable.

Selection: This is a play on the Toronto Blue Jays (8*)