The Toronto Blue Jays had won three consecutive games prior to a 2-1 setback against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. The game marked the opener of a three-game series at Rogers Centre, and I think the home team will tie the series with a victory today.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Blue Jays hand the ball to R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.11). The veteran knuckleballer has been excellent in his last two starts in front of the home fans, holding Kansas City and Detroit to a combined three runs with 13 strikeouts in 14 innings. Dickey is 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 13 career meetings with Seattle which counters with Hisashi Iwakuma (10-6, 4.01 ERA). The 35 year old Japanese must have unpleasant memories from Rogers Centre, posting a 5.63 ERA in two games there, including one start.

2. Situational - The Jays are 8-2 in their last 10 home games and 9-2 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mariners have dropped five of their past six following a win and they're 2-8 in their last 10 when their opponent allows two runs or fewer in their previous game.

3. X-Factor - Toronto's Josh Donaldson is 8-for-18 over the last four games.


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