The Kansas City Royals just won't go away. They have been entering most games in this series as underdogs, but are now favored here in the last do or die game. I'll take the Royals at home, as they appear to have a date with destiny.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - We will have a repeat of last Friday's Game 3 match-up on the mound as the Giants will hand the ball to Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57 ERA). The veteran conceded three runs on four hits in the 3-2 loss going 5 2/3 innings. Hudson has struggled on the road this season, with eight of his 13 losses during the regular season coming away from home and the Giants have dropped four of Hudson's last five starts outside of San Francisco. The Royals will counter with Jeremy Guthrie (13-11, 4.13 ERA) who gave up two runs on four hits over five innings in Game 3. His regular season home record was rather mediocre, going 6-6 behind a 4.25 ERA over 16 starts, but the Royals have won all of his last four starts at Kauffman. Four to five strong innings will be all that is required from Guthrie here as the bullpen will be well rested after Ventura dominating over seven innings last night.

2. Home Cookin' - We saw last night how the Royals know their stadium and can use it to their advantage, as it's perfect for their style of play. They have won seven of their last eight games at Kauffman while the Giants have dropped seven of the last eight meetings in Kansas City. The history favors the home team as well, with the hosts winning nine straight Game 7s in the World Series.

3. X-factor - The Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was 2-for-5 with a RBI in last night's 10-0 win. He is 3-for-8 with one RBI in previous match-ups with Hudson.

Selection: This is a play on the Kansas City Royals (10*)