The Kansas City Royals have now dropped eight of their last 10, and after losing Game 1 in Cleveland by a score of 8-3, I expect the Royals to continue to struggle here tonight. Cleveland is hot, coming into tonight's game as winners of six of it's last eight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Indians send Josh Tomlin to the mound, and he's won five straight starts. Tomlin (5-1, 2.85 ERA) gave up three runs on five hits, striking out six over 5.2 innings in a 6-4 win at Chicago in his last start. He's been even better at home, and he allowed just two runs on six hits, striking out eight over seven innings in a win over the Angels in his last home start. The Royals counter with Kris Medlen, who has surrendered nine runs on 14 hits over 11.2 innings in back-to-back losses.

2. Home Cookin' - The Indians are 13-3 in their last 16 home games, while the Royals have lost four of their last five away from Kansas City.

3. X-Factor - Michael Brantley was 3-for-5 last night, and he's batting .326 lifetime versus the Royals.


Selection: This is a play on the Cleveland Indians (8*)