The Los Angeles Angels opened the second half of the schedule with six consecutive wins, but they were swept by the Astros at Houston over the weekend and outscored by 20-5 over the last two games. They'll visit a motivated opponent Monday night in the defending World Series champs Kansas City Royals who have dropped below .500 for the first time in more than two months after back-to-back losses to Texas, and I think the Royals will prove too much to handle for Los Angeles in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Royals hand the ball to Ian Kennedy (6-8, 4.28 ERA) who's coming off one of his worst starts of the year when he conceded seven runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings against the Tribe. Kennedy still has a solid 3.38 ERA in seven starts home at the K despite that outing, and I think he'll bounce back with a strong performance tonight. The Halos counter with Hector Santiago (8-4, 4.32 ERA). He conceded three runs on five hits and three walks in five innings against Texas his last start. Santiago has struggled with his command lately and yielded three walks or more in four of his last five starts.

2. Road Woes - The Halos have lost five straight on the road and they're just 21-29 away from home this season. They've dropped five of the last six meetings with the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

3. X-Factor - Alcides Escobar was 4-for-11 over the weekend and he's 5-for-15 in previous meetings with Santiago.

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