Los Angeles @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2013 ) Kansas City 9, LA Angels 5

The Kansas City Royals kicked off a nine-game road trip by taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels last week, but the fortunes of both teams have changed dramatically since. The Royals are in a tailspin, losing five of their last six as they prepare to host the resurgent Angels on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series. Right-hander Ervin Santana, who was acquired in a trade with Los Angeles after last season, will face his former team Thursday.

The Angels were mired in a 1-5 slump before busting out offensively. Los Angeles has piled up 37 runs during a season-high four-game winning streak and outscored Seattle 19-1 during an abbreviated two-game sweep. Reigning American League Rookie of the Year Mike Trout was in a 1-for-12 rut before hitting for the cycle Tuesday and adding two more hits Wednesday. Trout hit safely in all three games against the Royals last week and is 11-for-33 with three homers lifetime against them.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Joe Blanton (0-7, 6.62 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (3-3, 2.77)

The Angels won for the first time with Blanton on the mound in his last start, but it had little to do with the 31-year-old's performance. Blanton was pounded for four runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings and has been lit up for 11 runs on 23 hits in only nine innings over his last two outings. He had pitched decently in his previous three starts, but Los Angeles provided a mere four runs of support in that span. Blanton is 3-2 with a 2.96 ERA in seven starts against the Royals.

Santana has been sitting on 99 wins since last month and makes his fourth attempt to earn No. 100. He has dropped his last two starts, including a tough-luck outing at Oakland on Saturday in which he surrendered two runs on four hits over seven innings. He has been victimized repeatedly by Kansas City's lack off offense, receiving more than three runs in only one of his eight starts. Rangers OF Josh Hamilton is 10-for-37 with two homers, four doubles and eight RBIs against Santana.

WALK-OFFS

1. Santana was 96-80 in eight seasons with the Angels, winning at least 11 games five times.

2. Blanton has given up double-digit hits in four starts and has surrendered 86 in 50 1/3 innings, leading to an unsightly WHIP of 1.97.

3. Angels DH Albert Pujols is batting .357 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 62 games against Kansas City.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Royals 5