The Detroit Tigers have had the better of the St. Louis Cardinals over recent season and this year is starting no different as they look to complete the sweep of this three-game set at Busch Stadium. The hosts are coming in as a sizable favorite, but I like the Tigers to shock the home-team here.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Tigers will hand the ball to Alfredo Simon (4-1, 3.05 ERA) who is 3-0 with a 3.29 ERA in 17 appearances (three starts) against St. Louis. He's off 7 2/3 strong innings against Minnesota where he held the Twins to one run on six hits and he's allowed three runs or less in all but one of his seven starts on the year. The Cardinals will counter with the inconsistent Lance Lynn (2-3, 3.27) who may be off six scoreless innings at Cleveland but had surrendered five runs on eight hits with four walks over six innings in his last start prior.

2. St. Louis Inter-league Woes - The Cardinals are 2-8 in their last 10 inter-league home games while the Tigers are have won all of their last four inter-league contests.

3. X-Factor - Matt Holliday has been held to two hits over nine at bats so far in the series and is just 3-for-16 over previous meetings with Simon.

Selection: This is a play on the Detroit Tigers +1.5 (8*)