The Detroit Tigers will host the Kansas City Royals for the opener of a three-game series at Comerica Park Tuesday night. The visitors have won only one of their last five games while the Tigers have won three of their last five, and I think the hosts are coming in underrated in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Royals hand the ball to Danny Duffy (4-5, 4.28 ERA) who was charged with the 5-2 loss at Rogers Centre his last start when he conceded five runs on six hits and four walks in six innings. He's 2-3 with a 4.43 ERA in seven road-starts this season and he's 2-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers who will counter with Justin Verlander (1-3, 4.86). The veteran right-hander is off back-to-back Quality Starts allowing only a total of two runs on 11 hits with 13 strikeouts over 16 innings of work. He's 19-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 35 career starts against Kansas City and will be looking to improve his poor numbers home at Detroit this season.

2. Situational - The Royals have lost four straight when facing a right-handed starter and they're 3-7 in Duffy's last 10 starts with four days of rest. The Tigers meanwhile are 4-1 in Verlander's last five starts with five days of rest and they've won five of his last seven starts against the Royals.

3. X-Factor - J.D. Martinez is just 1-for-9 in previous at bats against Duffy but he's 5-for-14 with two homers, two doubles and eight RBIs in his last four games.

Selection: This is a play on the Detroit Tigers +1.5 (8*)