This is a kill spot for the Mets, who certainly won't lack motivation after the Royals beat them in the World Series last year.

There may not be a better righty than Noah Syndergaard, who is at his finest pitching at Citi Field where he has a 1.80 ERA with a 64-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Mets' offense could get a needed boost with the expected return of starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud. The Mets have been getting almost no offense from their catchers since d'Arnaud injured his shoulder back on April 25.

The Mets have never lost in five games when Syndergaard has been home chalk of $1.60 or higher. The Royals don't figure to end that streak averaging just 3.2 runs a game on the road and losing DH Kendrys Morales because of playing in a National League park.

The flip side of this handicap is a fade on Ian Kennedy, who has a losing road mark with a 5.44 away ERA this season. Kennedy is having a brutal June with a 7.85 ERA this month. He's allowed 16 runs in his last three starts surrendering eight homers during this span. Kennedy has won just twice out of 14 times when a road 'dog of $1.50 or higher during his career.