The Minnesota Twins will hit the road following a seven game homestand. They lost four of five against the Yankees home at Target Field last week, and I don't like their chances in the opener of a three-game set in the Bronx tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Yankees hand the ball to their ace Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 2.91). The 27 year old Japanese tossed eight innings of one-hit ball at Minnesota on June 17 his last start to improve his career mark against the Twins to 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA. The Twins counter with Tommy Milone (0-1, 5.79 ERA) who will make his first start since April 25 when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Tribe. He was demoted to Triple-A Rochester shortly after but conceded three runs in 3 1/3 innings working out of the bullpen on May 3. Milone is 0-1 in three career starts against the Bronx Bombers.

2. Road Woes - Minnesota has the worst overall record in baseball this season, and its road record is particularly poor at 8-24. It is 1-10 in its last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing record and 3-8 in Milone's last 11 road starts.

3. X-Factor - Carlos Beltran is 9-for-21 with three homers in his last five contests and 3-for-5 with a home run in previous meetings with Milone.

Selection: This is a play on the New York Yankees -1.5 (10*)