The Kansas City Royals are just a game back of Cleveland in the AL Central, and they come into New York as winners of three straight. This looks like a tough spot for the defensing champs though, as they send a struggling pitcher to the mound opposite the Mets ace in Game 2.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - Danny Duffy will get the start for the Royals, and he's been pretty solid lately. Duffy (2-1, 3.17 ERA) surrendered three solo home runs in just five innings of work in a 10-4 loss to Detroit in his last start. He will not have much margin for error opposite Syndergaard today.

2. Batter vs. Pitcher - Syndergaard shutout the Royals earlier this season, and Kansas City is hitting a combined .150 against him. He's 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA at home at Citi Field in 2016.

3. X-Factor - The Royals are 2-10 in their last 12 road games, while the Mets are 8-1 in Syndergaard's last nine starts versus a team with a winning record.

Selection: This is a play on the New York Mets 1st 5 innings (8*)