The New York Yankees are coming off yet another defeat as they lost the 5-2 to Texas yesterday allowing the Rangers to complete the sweep of a three-game set. They've won just one of their last 11 games and another loss is imminent here when hosting a Kansas City Royals team that is looking to bounce back from its first loss in six games.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Yankees will hand the ball to Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.73 ERA) who has struggled of late giving up a total of nine runs on 13 hits over 11 2/3 innings in his last two starts. He's 1-0 over three starts home at Yankee Stadium on the season, but it's behind a swollen ERA of 5.87 and the Yankees bullpen has not been able to provide nearly as good support of late as earlier in the season. The Royals will counter with Jeremy Guthrie (4-2, 4.75 ERA) who is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in his past two outings at Yankee Stadium and is coming off his best start of the season when he held the Reds scoreless over six innings.

2. The Yankees' Slumping Offense - The Yankees have a .214 batting average over six consecutive losses and are hitting a major league-worst .198 in day games this season.

3. X-Factor - The Yankees might have to do without Brian McCann behind the plate after a cramp in his right foot forced him to leave after eight innings yesterday

Selection: This is a play on the Kansas City Royals +1.5 (8*)