Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Kansas City 4

Chicago ace Chris Sale has the task of helping the White Sox salvage the finale of a three-game series with the host Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Sale pitched well against Kansas City last season but victories were hard to come by and he finished with a 1-2 mark despite a nifty 1.84 ERA in four starts against the Royals. Kansas City counters with ace James Shields, who went 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA in six outings against the White Sox in 2013.

All-Star catcher Salvador Perez stroked the tiebreaking eighth-inning double as the Royals won 4-3 on Saturday. Perez is off to a torrid start, going 7-for-13 with four doubles and three walks while furthering his reputation as a clutch hitter. “The best definition of a clutch player is a guy that can rise to the occasion without raising his emotions,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost told reporters after Saturday’s victory. “He stays steady and makes things happen.”

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (1-0, 3.68 ERA) vs. Royals RH James Shields (0-0, 4.26)

Sale defeated the Minnesota Twins in Chicago’s opener when he struck out eight and allowed three runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He allowed just six runs in 29 1/3 innings against the Royals last season and is 5-7 with a 2.68 ERA in 21 appearances (10 starts) against Kansas City. Sale excels against left-handed hitters, who batted just .135 against him last season.

Shields departed his opening start against Detroit with a 3-1 lead in a contest the Royals ended up losing. He was charged with three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings and walked just one batter. Shields is 5-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 17 career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas is hitless in 15 at-bats this season.

2. White Sox SS Alexei Ramirez is batting .429 with two homers in 42 career at-bats against Shields, while DH Adam Dunn is batting .192 with 10 strikeouts and one homer in 26 at-bats.

3. Royals DH Billy Butler is batting .412 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 34 career at-bats against Sale, while SS Alcides Escobar (.389 in 36 at-bats) and Perez (.310 in 29 at-bats) have also fared well.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, White Sox 2