Kansas City at New York

The Kansas City Royals are in a lot better shape to make the playoffs than the New York Yankees, so this becomes a do or die series for New York as the sand is almost out of the hour glass. James Shields is a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, and continues to pitch like one as he has now allowed 3 runs or less in seven of his last eight starts. Michael Pineda keeps showing that when he is healthy he can deliver top-of-the-rotation stuff himself. The difference here is that Kansas City has been a more consistent hitting team, and own the best pen in the majors right now, supplying the edge and that's one reason why the Yanks are five games behind them in the standings. The Royals are playing their best baseball in years, and are not folding down the stretch, having won 24 of their last 33. It's hard to argue their success on the road behind Shields where they are 23-5 in his last 28 starts. Take the Royals.