The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed the opener of this three-game set 10-7 Monday, but the Royals tied the series with a 3-1 victory last night. The Royals look good in the rubber-match tonight as I deem them to have a significant advantage on the mound in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Pirates hand the ball to Charlie Morton (6-3, 4.34 ERA) who was roughed up for four runs on five hits in six innings of a 4-1 loss at Milwaukee his last start. He's struggled on the road all season compiling a 8.20 ERA in four starts away from home. The Royals will counter with Edinson Volquez (8-5, 3.28 ERA) who's winless in his last four games, despite compiling a respectable 2.16 ERA in his last three games. He's likely to end his drought home at Kauffman tonight, a stadium where he's 5-2 with a 2.95 ERA for the year.

2. Solid Favorites - The Royals have won 12 of their last 14 coming into the game as a favorite of -110 to -150 and they're 7-1 in Volquez's last eight starts as a home favorite.

3. X-Factor - Volquez spent last season with the Pirates and he's likely to be pumped up for his first meeting since leaving the club.

Selection: This is a play on the Kansas City Royals (10*)