The set-up: The Royals have represented the AL in each of the last two World Series, winning last year's "Fall Classic" in 2015 over the NY Mets. However, it's become fairly obvious that the only October baseball in KC's future in 2016 will end on October 2 (final day of the regular season). KC currently sits 10 games back of Cleveland in the AL Central (in third-place), as well as finding themselves 7 1/2 games out in the wild card race (tied with the White Sox) with four teams ahead of them. Those very White Sox and the Royals meet tonight in the rubber match of a three-game series. Chicago enters just 27-41 since opening the season by going 27-18 in its first 45 games of 2016.

The pitching matchup: Miguel Gonzalez (2-6, 4.09 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago and Danny Duffy (8-1, 2.97 ERA) goes for Kansas City. Gonzalez seemed as if he was earning a regular spot in Baltimore's starting rotation from 2012-2014 but he had a poor 9-12 (4.91 ERA) season in 2015. After an awful spring, he was released. He has hardly "found himself" here in Chicago in 18 appearances, including 17 starts (White Sox are 8-9). Gonzalez has not won in his last five starts (he's 0-2 and the team is 2-3 ). In stark contrast, Duffy has won his past seven decisions. The Royals are 13-3 in his 16 starts this season, earning him MLB's fifth-best moneyline mark (plus-$1072).

The pick: Both teams are now playing out the string but the pitching matchup in this one greatly favor Kansas City. Duffy has not lost a home start since September 5, 2015 and here in 2016, is 4-0 in nine starts at Kauffman Stadium (Royals are in 8-1 those games). The Royals are an 8* play.