Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2016 ) Chi. White Sox 7, Kansas City 8

The Kansas City Royals have experienced more than their fair share of injuries in the presence of the Chicago White Sox this season, but even that hasn't stopped the defending world champions' recent domination of their American League Central rivalry. After staging a seven-run ninth-inning rally in their most recent win over the White Sox to move into a tie for second place in the division, the Royals look to complete a three-game home sweep against them on Sunday.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas (ACL) was lost for the season and left fielder Alex Gordon (wrist) for approximately a month when the two collided with each other in last Sunday's 3-2 loss to Chicago - Kansas City's only setback in five games against the White Sox. The Royals suffered a partial case of déjà vu in Saturday's 8-7 victory when catcher Salvador Perez and third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert collided - resulting in a potentially serious leg injury for Perez - but they still found the resolve to pull off their largest ninth-inning comeback in team history when Brett Eibner - playing in his second career game - singled home the winning run to complete the rally. Chicago has dropped 13 of 17 overall and finds itself a half-game behind first-place Cleveland after holding a six-game edge in the division on May 9. The White Sox, who have won only 14 of the last 44 meetings between the teams, also let a four-run lead slip away in Friday's opener, surrendering six runs after the fifth inning en route to a 7-5 loss.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (9-1, 2.26 ERA) vs. Royals RH Edinson Volquez (5-4, 3.67)
Sale saw his 10-start winning streak come to an emphatic end in Tuesday's home loss to Cleveland after he surrendered a season-high six runs and tied or set three other season-worst marks by allowing seven hits and four walks over 3 1/3 innings. The rough outing was a rare one for the four-time All-Star, who yielded more than one run for only the second time since April 9. Sale is only 7-9 in 26 career appearances (15 starts) versus the Royals despite posting a 2.84 ERA against them.
Volquez continued his pattern of up-and-down outings with a win at Minnesota on Tuesday, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while fanning six across 6 2/3 innings. Since going 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his first four turns, the 32-year-old Dominican is 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA, although he has fared much better at home (3-2, 2.06) than on the road (2-2, 6.55). Volquez went 2-2 in five starts against the White Sox last season, giving up no more than two earned runs in any of them.

WALK-OFFS
1. Perez was diagnosed with a left quad contusion following the end of Saturday's game but will undergo an MRI on his knee.
2. Thirteen of the White Sox's last 16 games have been decided by two runs or fewer (3-10), including one-run decisions in five of the last eight.
3. Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer is 6-for-13 with a homer and eight RBIs over his last three contests after collecting two hits - both singles - and one RBI over his previous 27 at-bats.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Royals 2