Game 128 Preview: Yankees at Royals

Aug 23, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Martin Prado (14) and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) shake hands after a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to Victory

The Yankees need to stay hot by hitting the ball like the have the past few days. Brian McCann and Mark Texeira provide the long-ball threat while Martin Prado and Jacoby Ellsbury (if healthy) are the hottest hitters most likely to make an impact.

Michael Pineda will be key tonight since he is squaring off against a very hot pitcher in James Shields. This will likely be a pitching-dominant game so Pineda needs to go at least 7 innings and limit the Royals offense to 2 runs or fewer.

The Yankees will need to be mistake-free because a late-inning error could be the difference in this one.