Kansas City @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 12, 2013 ) Kansas City 3, Oakland 6

The Oakland Athletics' fast start to the season is quickly becoming a distant memory. The Athletics burst out of the gate by winning nine of their first 11 contests, but their latest slide has dropped them two games below .500 entering a three-game home series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. Oakland has lost eight of its last 10 contests, including two of three to Texas earlier this week to fall 7 1/2 games behind the American League West-leading Rangers.

Kansas City had also been mired in a skid, losing six of seven before kicking off a nine-game road trip by taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. The biggest positive to come out of the series against the Angels was the revival of Billy Butler, who had struggled since he was moved into the cleanup slot. Butler broke out of the slump with a vengence, going 8-for-13 with a homer, three doubles and nine RBIs to boost his average 40 points.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (2-3, 2.48 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (2-5, 6.86)

Shields could easily have tripled his win total with a little luck and more run support. He is 1-2 over his last six starts despite allowing a total of 11 earned runs and pitching at least eight innings in four of them. He suffered the loss last time out, giving up three runs (two earned) in eight innings against the New York Yankees. He also took a no-decision in his previous start despite eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball. Shields is 5-3 with a 4.08 ERA in 12 starts vs. Oakland.

Parker bounced back from an ugly loss in Cleveland to beat the Mariners in his last start, permitting three runs on as many hits in 6 1/3 innings. That matched the longest outing of the season for Parker, who struggled with his control and issued four walks. He has been stung by the long ball, coughing up four homers against the Indians on May 6 and nine overall in his eight starts. He faced Kansas City once last year in his rookie campaign, taking the loss after giving up five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Parker has struggled at home, going 1-3 with a bloated 9.61 ERA in four starts.

2. Royals LF Alex Gordon leads the AL with 19 multiple-hit games.

3. Oakland's Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick and Jed Lowrie are a combined 7-for-42 against Shields.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Athletics 2