I'm playing on the LOS ANGELES.  

This is the marquee series of the week and a potential NLCS preview with the Dodgers hosting Washington. I like the home team to take Monday's series opener.

I played against the Nationals yesterday as they lost up in Seattle.  They'd previously won 14 of 18 games, but there were several close calls in there and they have come back down to Earth since winning 10 in a row, which included seven one-run victories. They were actually swept in Philadelphia last week.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, avoided what would have been a sweep with a win in San Diego yesterday. Both of their losses in the series came by one run, each in extra innings.  So it looks like maybe the "luck" is going to turn for both teams in the interim. I like that Los Angeles is coming off a solid offensive performance as well, scoring 7 runs in the win Sunday.

Also making the case against Washington tonight is the fact their starter Gio Gonzalez has not won in some time, July 5th in fact. He's 0-5 (3-6 TSR) with a 4.38 ERA in nine starts since.

Roberto Hernandez has been surprisingly solid for LA in four starts since being traded from Philadelphia.  Also, in his final start as a member of the Phillies, he faced Washington and allowed just one unearned run in eight innings.  He's made eight straight starts without giving up more than three runs.  1* free play.

1* free play on the Los Angeles Dodgers...

The Dodgers are an underdog at home tonight, hosting Washington in Game 1 of this series at Chavez Ravine. They snapped a four game losing skid with a win in San Diego last night, and I think they might just bring that momentum back home with them. 

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Dodgers turn to Roberto Hernandez, who has performed well while filling a spot in the rotation. Hernandez has dominated the Nats this season, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two previous starts. He was 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in five starts last month. The Nats hand the ball to former ace Miguel Gonzalez, who hasn't been quite as sharp this season. He's win-less in his last nine starts.

2. History - Perhaps traveling across the country has something to do with it, but the Nats have lost 19 of their last 22 at Dodgers Stadium. 

3. X-Factor - The Dodgers have won nine of their last 11 versus teams from the NL East, and the Nats have lost four straight when Gonzalez starts on the road. 

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers (Free)