The Kansas City Royals ended the month of May on fire and recorded wins in 12 of 15 contests between May 15-31. They've won just one of six games here in June, but I think they'll give the Baltimore Orioles a run for their money here in Game 2 of a three-game set at Camden Yards.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Orioles hand the ball to Ubaldo Jimenez (2-6, 6.59) who has been roughed up time and time again this season. He is 0-3 with a 9.97 ERA and 16 walks in his past five starts and the right-hander was lit up for seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings in the lone meeting with the Royals last season. Kansas City counters with Yordano Ventura (4-3, 4.82 ERA) who held the Tribe to a pair of runs in six innings in enemy territory his last start. Ventura's best start this season came back in April when he allowed the Orioles just one run on three hits in seven frames of a 6-1 win.

2. Situational - The reigning World Champions know better than to take any game lightly, and they're 5-1 in their last six during Game 2 of a series which can be compared to Cleveland's 0-4 mark in their last four of the second game of a set.

3. X-Factor - Ventura is 4-1 with 37 strikeouts in five career starts against the Royals.

Selection: This is a play on the Kansas City Royals +1.5 (6*)