The Pittsburgh Pirates opened this four-game set at Marlins Park with a 10-0 victory, but they've recorded back-to-back defeats since. I think the Fish will clinch the series with another win Thursday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Marlins hand the ball to Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.37) who will face the Pirates for the second time in his career. He won his only start against Pittsburgh in 2012 and held Atlanta to one run on a pair of hits and a walk in five innings his last start. The Pirates counter with Juan Nicasio (4-4, 4.79) who is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in four road starts this season. He's coming off a May to forget a he posted a 6.75 ERA with a .333 batting average against in four outings.

2. Giancarlo Stanton - The Miami slugger returned Wednesday after missing seven games with soreness in his right side. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk but should be sharper here in his second game back. Stanton is 2-for-6, both hits for extra bases off Nicasio.

3. X-Factor - Pittsburgh has managed just three runs and has struck out a total of 23 times in the last two games.

Selection: This is a play on the Miami Marlins 1st 5 innings (8*)