The set-up: The Miami Marlins are fresh off a road sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they get set to open a three-game series against the 2015 World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals. The 64-60 Royals likely won't be able to defend their title this season, as they are currently in third place in the AL Central (8 1/2 games back of the Indians) and while they are "only" four games back in the wild card race, there are three teams between them and that final wild card spot. However, KC opens this series with the longest active winning streak in MLB, at eight games.

The pitching matchup: Yordano Ventura (8-9, 4.46 ERA) gets the starting assignment for the Royals, with Andrew Cashner (4-9, 4.92 ERA) taking the mound for the Marlins. Ventura has disappointed in 2016 but is 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA over his last four starts (team is 4-0) plus has limited eight consecutive opponents to three or fewer runs, despite owning just a 2-3 record in that span (KC is 4-4). Cashner was acquired from the Padres on July 31 and will make his sixth appearance (fifth start) for the Marlins. He's looking for his first victory as a Marlin, having posted a 5.48 ERA so far.

The pick: Cashner has pitched reasonably well in home starts this season (for SD & Mia), going 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA (teams are 6-5 in his 11 home starts). Yes, Kansas City has won five straight series and 13 out of 15 games but I don't trust Ventura much, who owns a 4.57 ERA in 11 career interleague games. Miami is a 10* play.