Two bottom-feeding clubs with do battle Thursday night when the NL Central worst Cincinnati Reds host the NL West worst San Diego Padres for the opener of a four game set. The Padres have had big problems to win outside of Petco Park this season, and I like the price we get on the home team in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Reds hand the ball to John Lamb (1-4, 4.75). The left-hander fanned a season-high eight hitters while limiting the Astros to one run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings his last start. Lamb is still looking for his first win of the season at Great American Ballpark, despite posting a solid 3.29 ERA in five starts. The Padres counter with another left-hander, 28 year old Christian Friedrich (3-2, 3.15 ERA). He was lit up for six runs on nine hits and a pair of home runs in six innings of a 7-5 loss to the Nats his last start.

2. Road Woes - The Padres are 1-6 in their last seven when visiting a team with a losing record and 3-10 in their last 13 road games overall. The Reds are 18-7 in their last 25 home games against a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

3. X-Factor - Jay Bruce is riding an eight games hitting streak and he was 5-for-8 against Texas in Cincinnati's last series.

Selection: This is a play on the Cincinnati Reds (10*)