The Cleveland Indians have opened a five-game homestand with back-to-back wins against the Milwaukee Brewers but are still five games back of the Texas Rangers and the last Wild Card in the American League. The Los Angeles Angels meanwhile are just 0.5 games behind the Rangers and I would not be surprised to see them record an upset in the opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field Friday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Halos hand the ball to Andrew Heaney (5-2, 3.39 ERA) who'll be looking to bounce back from an atrocious outing when he was lit up for eight runs on seven hits and three walks over just 3 1/3 innings of a 15-3 home-loss against the Jays his last start. Heany has been far sharper on the road all season though where his 2.13 ERA is more than two runs better than his 4.17 mark home in L.A. He'll also have the advantage that none of the Tribe's batters have any experience whatsoever against him. The Indians will counter with Danny Salazar (11-7, 3.30 ERA) who much like Heany struggled his last start when he conceded five runs (four earned) on eight hits with two homers over 4 2/3 innings of a 6-2 loss at Yankee Stadium. He held the Halos to one run in six innings on August 5, but the Tribe still lost the game 4-3 and he's 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts versus the Angels.

2. Situational - The Indians have lost five of their last six games following an off day and they're 5-16 in their last 21 games when facing a left-handed starter. The Halos are 8-3 in Heaney's last 11 starts.

3. X-Factor - Kole Calhoun is 3-for-6 with two homers in previous meetings with Salazar.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Angels +1.5 (8*)