The set-up: The Kansas City Royals won the 1985 World Series but it wasn't until 2015 when KC returned to the postseason. The Royals made it to the World Series that season, before losing a dramtic seven-game series to Madison Bumgarner and the SF Giants. KC came right back the following year and captured the franchise's second-ever World Series title by beating the Mets in five games. However, reality has returned to KC, as the Royals own back-to-season of 81 and 80 wins. Kansas City opens the 2018 season with a three-game home series against the White Sox and it appears to be a rebuilding process for the Royals this season. The Royals lost a couple key contributors during the off-season when Eric Hosmer signed with the San Diego Padres and Lorenzo Cain joined the Milwaukee Brewers. Then this week, they lost five-time All-Star catcher Salvador Perez for at least for the next four-to-six weeks when he tore the MCL in his left knee on Tuesday night when he lost his balance while carrying luggage from spring training up the stairs of his house (that can't be a good sign!). There is a very different vibe for the Chicago White Sox, as they open the 2018 season. Chicago is hoping this is the year its rebuild moves into the next phase (meaning being able to reasonably compete for a playoff spot). The White Sox have a roster loaded with talented, young players. Infielders Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez are expected to take the next step in their development and complement star first baseman Jose Abreu (.304, 33 Hrs & 102 RBI) and All-Star right fielder Avisail Garcia (.330, 18 HRs & 80 RBI). Second baseman Moncada and outfielder Nicky Delmonico will begin their first full seasons with the team, plus the same goes for right-hander pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, each of whom showed promise late last year.

The pitching matchup: James Shields (2017: 5-7, 5.23 ERA) goes for Chicago and will be opposed by KC lefty Danny Duffy (2017: 9-10, 3.81). The veteran Shields is making his eighth Opening Day start for his fourth different team, which includes the Royals in 2013. He was awful in 2016 pitching for SD and then Chicago (those teams were a combined 9-24 in his starts, losing $1403 vs. the moneyline) but last year was better, as he finished strong by winning three of his last four starts (team was 9-12 in his 21 starts, going plus-$174 vs. the moneyline). Duffy takes the ball on Opening Day for the second straight year. He was coming off an excellent 2016 season (team was 12-3 with a 3.651 ERA and KC was 17-9 in his 26 starts, going plus-648 vs. the moneyline) and struck out eight while allowing just one run over six innings at Minnesota last season in his 2017 debut.. However, Duffy couldn't repeat his 2016 season, going 9-10 with a 3.81 ERA last year. He left his last spring start with shoulder tightness but threw on Sunday and reported he was ready for the opener.

The pick: I'm no fan of Shields, whose moniker "Big Game James" has to be among the most ludicrous in any sport (he's never won a single thing!). Note that he's struggled at Kauffman Stadium, even when he was with the Royals, as he comes in with a 9-13 record with a 4.35 ERA in 36 career starts there. The White Sox struggled on the road last season (28-53) and were also just 20-26 against lefties on the entire season. Meanwhile, KC did go a respectable 43-38 at home, so I'll go against the infamous "Big Game James" and make KC a 10* play.