The Chicago White Sox are sitting top of the AL Central division, but they haven't played like a first place team recently. The Kansas City Royals defeated the White Sox 7-5 last night and are now just one game back of Chicago in the division, and I think the Royals will take a 2-0 lead in this series with another win Saturday afternoon.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The White Sox hand the ball to Carlos Rodon (2-4, 4.47 ERA). The left-hander conceded two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-2 home win against Kansas City his last start, but the White Sox had lost four consecutive Rodon starts prior. Rodon has not had much success on the road lately conceding a total of 12 runs on 20 hits in 13 2/3 innings in his last two outings away from home. The Royals counter with Yordano Ventura (4-3, 4.81) who conceded three runs in six innings when he went toe-to-toe with Rodon at Chicago on May 22. He's 3-0 with a 3.57 ERA in four home starts this season.

2. Road Woes - The White Sox have won just one of their past six games on the road and they're 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Kansas City. The Royals are 6-2 in their last eight home games vs. a left-handed starter.

3. X-Factor - Paulo Orlando was 2-for-3 against Rodon last weekend and he's 19-for-38 during a 10-game hitting streak.

Selection: This is a play on the Kansas City Royals (8*)