The Pirates have won 11 of their last 15, and they trail the Cardinals by just a half a game in the NL Central. Pittsburgh defeated the Brewers 3-2 in Game 1 of this home series last night, and I like the Bucs to stay hot here at PNC Park tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

Pitching - Jeff Locke will be on the mound for the Pirates, and he's undefeated in his last five appearances. Locke (8-5, 5.26 ERA) worked 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in the Pirates final game before the All Star Break. The Brewers counter with Chase Anderson who has lost five straight starts.

2. Home Cookin' - Locke is 5-1 with a 2.81 ERA in seven starts at home in 2016, and the Pirates have won six of their last eight in Pittsburgh. Milwaukee has lost seven of Anderson's last eight starts on the road.

3. X-Factor - The Pirates have owned Anderson, batting .410 over a combined 39 previous at bats.

Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates (8*)