The Cleveland Indians won the opener of this four-game set against the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday, but back-to-back defeats have followed. I like them to salvage a split of the series with a win Thursday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Mariners hand the ball to Nathan Karns (5-2, 4.23) who is coming off his worst start of the season when he was knocked around for seven runs on eight hits and five walks in four innings at Texas. Rebounding tonight might be a tough ask as he conceded five runs in just 5 1/3 innings at Cleveland earlier this season. The Tribe counters with Josh Tomlin who is 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners. The Indians have won nine of his 10 starts this season and he held the Royals to one run in 6 1/3 innings of a 7-1 win his last outing.

2. Road Warriors - The Indians are 8-0 in Tomlin's last eight road starts and 4-0 in his last four starts at Seattle.

3. X-Factor - Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 with a pair of doubles in previous meetings with Karns.

Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Indians (8*)