Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2013 ) Kansas City 0, Chi. White Sox 1

The Kansas City Royals spent a lot in prospects and money to upgrade their starting rotation in the offseason. The early returns on that investment were positive, but the offense struggled as the Royals were shut out at the Chicago White Sox on opening day. The White Sox will be looking to clinch the series on Wednesday. Kansas City gave James Shields the start on Monday and will turn to another offseason pickup, Ervin Santana, on Wednesday.

Chicago is counting on its own starting pitching to help the team compete with the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central this season and re-signed Jake Peavy to help keep the staff a team strength. The Royals figured that another year to mature would give them one of the better offenses in the division, but Chris Sale cut through the Kansas City lineup with ease on Monday. Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas, who both had impressive springs, combined to go 0-for-7.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ervin Santana (2012: 9-13, 5.16) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (11-12, 3.37 ERA)

Santana was made available in the offseason after struggling for much of the 2012 season and Kansas City swooped in and picked him up from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a minor leaguer. The Royals are hoping to return the 30-year-old to the form that saw him post back-to-back seasons of over 200 innings and sub-4.00 ERAs for the Angels in 2010 and 2011. The first thing to fix is his home run rate. Santana led the AL with 39 homers allowed in 2012. He is 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA and 12 homers allowed in 15 career games against Chicago.

Peavy bounced back from shoulder surgery to pitch 219 innings in 2012 - the second-highest total of his career. The veteran right-hander earned a trip to the All-Star game last July and a contract extension in October that will pay him $29 million over the next two seasons. Peavy lost all three of his starts against the Royals in 2012 and is 4-7 with a 4.85 ERA in 12 career starts against the division rivals. Billy Butler (12-for-27, three home runs) and Gordon (8-for-22, four RBIs) have been particularly tough outs for the 31-year-old.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago’s No. 3 and 4 hitters - Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko - combined to go 0-for-8 on opening day.

2. Kansas City hit a major league-best .335 in spring training.

3. White Sox C Tyler Flowers provided the lone run with a solo homer in Monday’s 1-0 victory and is 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts against Santana in his career.

PREDICTION: Royals 8, White Sox 5