This is a key matchup for the defending world champions. The Royals have been dominant at home going 31-15. They have only lost four times in 22 games when favored at Kauffman Stadium.

The Rangers are a .500 road club. This marks their ninth straight away game and end of their current road trip. So focus could be a problem.

The starting pitching matchup of A.J. Griffin versus Edinson Volquez favors the Royals. Kansas City also has much the superior bullpen.

Griffin has yet to prove he has fully recovered from shoulder stiffness that sidelined him for 43 games earlier this season. He has made five starts since coming off the DL and is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA. He hasn't reached the sixth inning in any of those outings putting the Rangers' vulnerable middle relief into action. Griffin also has yielded at least one home run in each of his past five starts.

Volquez is in solid form allowing nine runs during his last four starts spanning 25 2/3 innings. He has pitched much better at home with a 6-3 record and 4.09 ERA compared to 2-5 with a 5.72 ERA on the road. Volquez's home ERA would be a full run lower, but is skewed by one horrible performance in which he allowed 11 earned runs in one inning against the Astros last month.