The Los Angeles Angels have started the week by dropping three games at Houston, but I think they'll come up with a win as they return home to California for a four-game set with the Oakland Athletics. The Halos took two of three at Oakland last weekend and have won five of the past six meetings.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Halos hand the ball to Tim Lincecum (1-0, 1.50 ERA). The veteran is back in the majors following a year of rebab from hip surgery, and he impressed in his comeback last week when he held the A's to one run on four hits in six innings of a 7-1 victory. The performance improved his lifetime numbers against Oakland to 6-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 11 career starts. The A's counter with Kendall Graveman (2-6, 4.87 ERA) who is 1-3 with an atrocious 7.03 ERA in seven road starts this year.

2. Oakland's Offensive Woes - The A's have scored a total of just 11 runs in their last six games and they rank dead last in the AL in runs, RBI, on-base percentage and OPS this season.

3. X-Factor - Kole Calhoun is 4-for-11 with a double and a homer off Graveman and Albert Pujols 5-for-10 with a home run and a pair of walks.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Angels (10*)