The surging Texas Rangers have won seven of their past eight games and are going for a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday afternoon. I think the Cardinals will up their game here in the series finale to avoid a sweep.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Cardinals hand the ball to Mike Leake (5-4, 4.08) who has posted a 2.03 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers. Leake held Arizona scoreless over seven innings his last start at Busch Stadium and he's 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two day starts this season. The Rangers counter with Martin Perez (6-4, 3.38 ERA) who has won five straight starts. He was far from sharp his last outing though when he conceded four runs on nine hits in seven innings at Oakland. Perez's 4.38 ERA on the road is way higher than his 2.61 mark home at Arlington.

2. Situational - The Cardinals are 35-16 in their last 51 games after losing the first two games of a series and they've won five of their last seven games against left-handed starters. Texas is 0-5 in Perez's last five road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

3. X-Factor - The Cardinals will be looking for revenge after blowing a 3-0 lead with only four outs left yesterday. That won't happen again.

Selection: This is a play on the St. Louis Cardinals (8*)