Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 3, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 0, Kansas City 0

Jeremy Guthrie is on the verge of setting a Kansas City record for most consecutive starts without a loss when the Royals open a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Guthrie is undefeated over his last 16 starts dating back to last August to match the franchise mark set by Paul Splittorff during the 1977-78 campaigns. Guthrie is 8-0 during the stretch. The series was slated to start Friday but was postponed because of rain.

The opener marked the second consecutive day Kansas City’s contest was postponed because of weather. The Royals’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday was called after 3 1/2 innings. Friday’s postponed contest will be made up Monday afternoon as both teams had open days. Chicago won two of three against the Texas Rangers before arriving in chilly Kansas City. Tyler Flowers hit a three-run homer in the White Sox’s 3-1 victory over the Rangers on Thursday. Kansas City has won two straight games and has a nifty 15-10 record. Chicago is struggling along at 12-15.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (0-1, 3.95 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (3-0, 3.06)

Axelrod has pitched six innings in each of his last three starts without receiving a decision. He has allowed just six runs during the stretch but has given up four homers accounting for five of the runs. Axelrod has a 7.45 ERA in two road starts this season. One of his three career victories occurred when he threw two innings of no-hit relief last season against the Royals.

Guthrie tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings while defeating the Cleveland Indians in his last outing. He beat the White Sox in his first start of the season when he struck out nine and gave up one run and five hits in six innings. Since joining the Royals last July, Guthrie is 2-0 with a 0.49 ERA in five starts against the White Sox. Chicago’s Adam Dunn is 2-for-19 with 10 strikeouts against Guthrie.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago has homered in 11 straight games and 53 of its 97 runs have come on homers.

2. Kansas City DH Billy Butler has 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 100 career games against the White Sox.

3. White Sox closer Addison Reed is 10-for-10 in save opportunities.

PREDICTION: Royals 8, White Sox 4