The set-up: After dropping the opener of this interleague series in late innings, the Mets bounced back with a convincing 4-1 victory last night. I believe the playoff hopeful National League side will once again find a way to get the job done here with what I believe to be the clearly superior starting taking the hill for it. The Mets see Zach Wheeler toe the slab, while Glen Sparkman gets the nod for home side.

The pitchers: Wheeler (9-7, 4.36 ERA) comes in off a terrible start vs. the Braves, but overall he's 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA over his last four trips to the hill.

Sparkman (3-8, 5.45) is 0-3 with an 8.06 ERA over his last five starts.

The pick: The Mets have won 17 of their last 22 games, but before yesterday's victory they'd lost four of five. With much "stiffer" competition on the immediate horizon, I believe New York makes the most of this matchup. The Royals have scored five runs total over their last five games and they've lost 12 of their last 16. Lay the price.

8* EARLY DESTRUCTION on the New York Mets.