The Chicago Cubs are coming off back-to-back blowout wins in Atlanta, out-scoring the Braves 21-4 in the final two games of the series. They are on the road in Washington Monday for Game 1 of a new series versus the Nats, and I like the Cubs as an underdog plus the runs.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Mad Max Scherzer will be on the mound for Washington, and the Nats are just 5-5 in his last 10 starts. One of his worst performances of the season came against the Cubs, as he was torched for seven runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs and three walks over just five innings in an 8-6 loss at Wrigley. The Cubs counter with Kyle Hendricks, who has held the opposition to two runs or less in seven of his last eight starts.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - Scherzer is dominant against right-handed batters, but not so much against lefties. The Cubs lineup is loaded with left-handed power, with Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and the switch-hitting Ben Zobrist. Heyward is 4-for-8 lifetime versus Scherzer.

3. X-Factor - The Cubs have won six straight in this series, and they are 37-17 in their last 54 road games.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Cubs +1.5 (8*)