Kansas City @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 22, 2013 ) Kansas City 13, LA Angels 9

The Los Angeles Angels were denied in their bid for a season-high four-game winning streak when they were held to one hit in Sunday's series finale against the Chicago White Sox. The Angels will look to regain some momentum when they host the Kansas City Royals on Monday in the opener of a seven-game homestand. Mike Trout had the only hit for Los Angeles on Sunday night and is batting .354 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his last 12 games.

The Royals have seen their fortunes take a decided downturn in the past week. They were swept in a three-game series at home by the New York Yankees over the weekend and have dropped six of their last seven games. The offense has bogged down during the slump, scoring three runs or fewer five times in that span. Outfielder Alex Gordon has been one of the few consistent players at the plate with five two-hit games in the last seven.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luis Mendoza (0-2, 6.38 ERA) vs. Angels RH Joe Blanton (0-6, 5.66)

Mendoza had a strong season debut, giving up one run and two hits in six innings at Philadelphia, but he has regressed since. He was hurt by two errors and a wild pitch in his last outing against Baltimore and was charged with five runs (three earned) on only five hits in six innings. In his previous start at Tampa Bay, he lasted only four innings and served up three homers. He has been stung by the long ball against the Angels, surrendering three in 9 2/3 innings spanning five appearances (two starts).

Los Angeles has lost all seven of Blanton's starts, even though he has pitched much better in his last three outings. Blanton has lost three straight starts but has yielded a total of eight earned runs in that span and pitched at least six innings in each. He went 6 2/3 innings his last time out against Houston, giving up three runs on eight hits. Blanton has enjoyed success in his career against the Royals, logging a 3-1 record and 1.76 ERA in four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blanton has permitted only two homers in his last four starts after coughing up six in his first three outings.

2. Royals RF Jeff Francoeur is 6-for-14 with four RBIs lifetime against Blanton.

3. The Angels won five of nine against Kansas City last season and split six games in Anaheim.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Angels 3