Both the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to make one last push before the All Star break to improve on their third place in their respective division. The Jays are coming off back-to-back wins against the red hot Indians, but Monday's series-opener with Kansas City might become a closer game than they would wish for.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Royals hand the ball to Edinson Volquez (7-7, 4.80 ERA) who tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings at St. Louis his last start. He threw six scoreless innings in Game 1 of the ALCS, a 5-0 Royals victory, his last meeting with Toronto. The Jays counter with Aaron Sanchez (8-1, 3.08) who will make his first career start against the Royals. Sanchez has impressed in recent road starts, but he was ripped for six runs on 10 hits with four home runs by Baltimore his last start at Rogers Centre where he has a 4.79 ERA in six starts this season.

2. Situational - The Jays' bats exploded in a 17-1 win against the Tribe on Sunday. We often see teams struggle at the plate in the next game following such a performance, and I think that will apply to Toronto tonight.

3. X-Factor - Kansas City's bullpen has the best ERA in baseball while Toronto's ranks in the bottom third.

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