NL East rivals the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets will open a three-game series at Citi Field Friday night. The Marlins are coming into this contest looking to bounce back after getting swept over three games at Pittsburgh, and I think they at least will keep this a close game and that the price warrants a play on the run-line.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Fish will hand the ball to Dan Haren (4-2, 3.09 ERA) as he's coming of a solid outing when he held Baltimore scoreless over six innings. He has limited the opposition to two runs or fewer in five of his last six outings so runs are sure to come at a premium for the Mets who counters with Matt Harvey (5-2, 2.91 ERA). The 26 year old has had a great start to the year but is coming off his worst outing of his career when he lasted only four innings over which he surrendered seven runs on six hits with two homers and two walks. His second worst outing of the year was on April 19 when he conceded four runs on eight hits over six innings in a tight 7-6 win against the Marlins.

2. Situational - The Mets have lost four of the last five meetings with Harvey starting and he's win-less in his last four starts overall with the Mets providing him just one run of support in five straight.

3. X-Factor - Michael Cuddyer has generated a lot of the Mets offense of late going 6-for-14 in his last four games, but he's batting just .194 with 11 strikeouts over 31 at bats against Haren.

Selection: This is a play on the Miami Marlins +1.5 (8*)