Tampa Bay @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2012 ) Kansas City 3, Tampa Bay 5

James Shields faces his former team for the first time Tuesday when the Kansas City Royals open a three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays. Shields, Tampa Bay’s franchise leader in wins, arrived in Kansas City last December as part of a seven-player trade. Shields admitted he’s been looking forward to the matchup. “I want to win every single time I go out there, but, yeah, definitely, there's no doubt, man, there’s no doubt, I want to beat them,” Shields told reporters.

After 10 days in first place, the Royals lost 9-0 to Cleveland on Monday to fall a half-game behind Detroit in the American League Central. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur has five hits in his last 26 at-bats for Kansas City, which was outscored 19-3 in the final two games of the four-game series against the Indians. The Royals are also waiting for third baseman Mike Moustakas to get untracked. The 24-year-old Moustakas is batting .176 and is still seeking his first home run after hitting 20 last season.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (3-1, 1.82 ERA) vs. Royals RH James Shields (1-2, 3.09)

Cobb allowed three hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday against the Yankees and retired 19 of 20 hitters at one point. The 25-year-old right-hander, who is 1-1 with a 4.80 ERA in two career starts against the Royals, has given up three runs or less in 18 of his last 19 starts since July 6, 2012. Cobb has ranked among the league’s top starters over his last 15 outings, going 10-2 with a 2.70 ERA, and the Rays have gone 12-3 during that stretch.

Shields turned in another strong outing Thursday against the Tigers, allowing three runs over eight innings before leaving without a decision. The 31-year-old Shields has worked at least six innings in 19 straight starts, a stretch that includes 16 quality starts and four complete games. He’s made a solid first impression with his new team, even though he’s only recorded one win in his first five starts. It hasn’t helped that he’s already faced five former All-Star pitchers this month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay has lost seven of its last 10 road games.

2. The Royals are beginning a difficult stretch of their schedule, with 29 of their next 32 games against teams that posted a winning record last season.

3. Rays 1B James Loney is 17-for-33 with seven RBIs over his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Rays 2