Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 4, 2010 ) Kansas City 7, Chi. White Sox 2

This isn't exactly the kind of head-to-head showdown matchup the Chicago White Sox had in mind when they started the season.

Instead of competing for the top of the AL Central - where the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers currently reside - Chicago is fighting to stay out of the basement.

The White Sox and Kansas City Royals go into Wednesday night's finale of a three-game series with identical records. The only thing keeping the loser out of sole possession of last place is the struggling Cleveland Indians, who are 10-16.

The fact Chicago is on even terms with the Royals and Indians, two teams that were expected to be at the bottom of the division, hasn't generated much optimism for the South Siders.

Chicago has played eight series this season and won just one, a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners last month. The White Sox have split one series and lost the other six. So as they go for their second series win of the season, it's probably not good news that right-hander Freddy Garcia is taking the mound.

Garcia's story is all too familiar to White Sox fans. He's winless in four starts, he's allowed a home run in each of his outings and Chicago is 1-3 in games he's pitched. Just how long Garcia retains his spot in the rotation will be one of the storylines to follow if he and the White Sox continue to struggle.

The bad news doesn't end there. The Royals have had their way with Garcia throughout his career. He's 8-13 with a 6.03 ERA lifetime against Kansas City, including an 0-2 mark last season.

Garcia has not done well against the Royals, posting a dismal 8-13 record with an elevated 6.03 ERA. Garcia was 0-2 against the Royals in 2009.

Kansas City's Brian Bannister is coming off his best outing of the season, even though it resulted in a no-decision in the Royals' 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Bannister held the Rays to one run and two hits in seven innings. His only mistake was a home run to Evan Longoria.

The right-hander needs to be careful with catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who homered in Chicago's loss on Tuesday, and shortstop Alexi Ramirez. Pierzynski has a .423 (11-for-26) average with two homers against Bannister. Ramirez is batting .429 (6-for-14) with a homer and eight RBIs versus Bannister.

The Royals placed struggling center fielder Rick Ankiel on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained right quad. He hasn't started a game since April 24 and has made two pinch-hitting appearances, striking out both times, since being injured.