Tampa Bay @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2015 ) Kansas City 2, Tampa Bay 3

The Kansas City Royals have been forced to battle through several key injuries, but they are back on top in the American League Central as the Tampa Bay Rays visit on Monday for the opener of a three-game series. Eric Hosmer went 8-for-13 with seven RBIs as the Royals rallied three times over the weekend to sweep the Chicago White Sox, improving to 10-3 in their last 13 contests.

Kansas City announced Sunday that catcher Salvador Perez (quad contusion) is expected to be out 7-10 days while the team continues to receive strong contributions with Alex Gordon (wrist) on the disabled list and Mike Moustakas (torn ACL) likely out for the season. Paulo Orlando has hit safely in 12 straight games for the Royals, who send Ian Kennedy to the mound against Tampa Bay’s Matt Andriese. The Rays (11-11 on the road) have struggled since matching their season high of four straight wins earlier this month, losing seven of nine as they begin a 10-game road trip. Last year’s AL saves leader Brad Boxberger was activated by Tampa Bay after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees and is set to make his season debut following abductor surgery.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Matt Andriese (3-0, 2.63 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.38)

Andriese allowed three runs and eight hits over six innings against Miami on Wednesday and did not figure in the decision after winning three straight starts to begin the season. The 26-year-old Californian struck out a season-best six batters last time out and has walked a total of three in his past three starts. Andriese gave up one run over 7 2/3 innings in two appearances (one start) against Kansas City last year without recording a decision.

Kennedy is coming off his shortest outing of the season as he gave up two runs over 3 1/3 innings in a rain-interrupted start against Minnesota last Monday. It was the third straight game without a win for the USC product, but he has limited opponents to two runs or fewer in seven of his nine turns. Logan Morrison is 5-for-14 with two homers against Kennedy, who is 1-4 lifetime with a 6.46 ERA versus the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals triumphed in six of their seven meetings with the Rays last season and have won five in a row at home in the series.

2. Tampa Bay OF Brandon Guyer is 12-for-35 in his last nine contests while Morrison is 12-for-28 with seven RBIs over his past eight.

3. Kansas City OF Brett Eibner went 5-for-11 in his first three major-league games while INF Whit Merrifield is 11-for-28 during his six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Rays 2