Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 24, 2013 ) Kansas City 8, Chi. White Sox 2

The Kansas City Royals pulled off one of the biggest trades of the offseason, acquiring pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a handful of prospects. Royals fans will get an early look at the prize of that deal when Shields takes the mound on Monday afternoon as Kansas City visits the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox are hoping Paul Konerko and company can make another run at the American League Central crown.

Chicago faded down the stretch in 2012 and the core of Konerko, Adam Dunn and Alex Rios is a year older, shrinking the window for the team. The Royals are on the other side of the team-building spectrum, with a series of young players trying to turn the fate of the franchise. Shields and Davis were brought in to supplement a core of strong young position players that includes Alex Gordon, who was one of the best players in the Cactus League during spring training.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Comcst SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (2012: 15-10, 3.52 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (17-8, 3.05)

Shields cost Kansas City top prospect Wil Myers and several others, but he should help the team’s big weakness in starting pitching. The veteran right-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the American League East since establishing himself in 2007 and is 13-11 in his career against AL Central opponents. Shields is even against the White Sox, posting a 3-3 record with a 4.76 ERA in 11 career starts. Dunn and Konerko are a combined 5-for-35 against Shields.

Sale made the All-Star team and got Cy Young votes in his first season as a starter in 2012, and was rewarded with a five-year, $32.5 million contract extension on March 7. The 24-year-old left-hander had a huge jump in innings from 2011 to 2012 but looked strong in spring training and was given his first Opening Day assignment. Sale went 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA in six starts against Kansas City last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City took 12 of the 18 games in the series last season.

2. Jeff Keppinger won Chicago’s third base job and Conor Gillaspie will back up at the corners, leaving Brent Morel to begin the season in the minors.

3. Royals LH Bruce Chen, who started on Opening Day last season, will begin 2013 in the bullpen.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, White Sox 4