The Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers will open a three-game set at Dodger Stadium Monday night. The pitching match-up in this contest is really something special, and I think taking the extra run on the visitors looks like a profitable proposition in what should be a very low-scoring game.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Nats hand the ball to Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90 ERA) who is still undefeated this season. He's 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA in six road starts and 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers who counter with Clayton Kershaw (10-1, 1.58). The Dodgers' ace's numbers are almost unreal, but he has struggled with the long ball somewhat in recent starts yielding three in his last four starts.

2. Nats vs. Southpaws - Washington has won nine of its past 11 on the road when coming up against a left-handed starter. The Nats are batting .271 against southpaws for the season, the third best mark in the National League.

3. X-Factor - Ryan Zimmerman has had good success in previous meetings with Kershaw going 7-for-19 with only two strikeouts.

Selection: This is a play on the Washington Nationals +1.5 (8*)