The Seattle Mariners are tied with Texas for last place in the AL West, but a home series versus Minnesota should give them a chance to make up some ground in the standings. The Twins have lost seven of nine on the road so far, and it doesn't get any easier tonight as Seattle sends it's ace to the mound.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Felix Hernandez will be on the mound for the Marniners, and he was unstoppable in his last appearance. Hernandez (2-0 .2.37 ERA) gave up just one run on two hits, with a dozen Ks in a home win over Texas. The Twins will counter with Phil Hughes, who has been roughed up in all three of his starts so far. Hughes is 0-3, with a 5.30 ERA, still in search of his first "W".

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - Nelson Cruz leads the major leagues with eight home runs so far, and he's hitting .328 with 17 RBIs. That's not good news for Hughes, who has a reputation for being hurt by the long ball.

3. X-Factor - Hernandez is 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA in four starts versus the Twins since 2012.

Selection: This is a play on the Seattle Mariners(6*)