Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2013 ) Kansas City 1, Minnesota 3

Although he has pitched well in his first season with Kansas City, James Shields has a 10-start winless streak heading into the Royals' second contest of a four-game set against the host Minnesota Twins on Friday. Shields hasn’t won since April 30 despite allowing more than two earned runs just twice during the drought. Minnesota won Thursday’s opener for only its second win in six games, while Kansas City has lost six of its last eight outings.

Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer is batting .393 in 28 career at-bats against Shields, while first baseman Justin Morneau has two homers, four doubles and a .345 average in 29 at-bats. Morneau, Oswaldo Arcia and Pedro Florimon each had an RBI as the Twins posted a 3-1 victory in the opener. Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2-for-4 with a homer to raise his career mark against Minnesota to .395 in 86 career at-bats.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (2-6, 2.92 ERA) vs. Twins RH P.J. Walters (2-3, 4.88)

Shields has followed four straight losses with five consecutive no-decisions in June despite a 2.81 ERA. He gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings against the Chicago White Sox in his last start, matching the second-most runs he has given up this season. Shields is 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 11 career starts against Minnesota.

Walters didn’t make it out of the first inning in his last start, walking a season-high five and giving up six runs and one hit while recording only two outs against the Cleveland Indians. He is 0-3 over his last four outings with his last victory occurring May 30 against Milwaukee. Walters is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in two career starts against Kansas City, including a loss on June 5 when he allowed three unearned runs and seven hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City is 5-2 against Minnesota this season.

2. Twins closer Glen Perkins has converted 10 straight save opportunities and hasn't yielded a run in his last 11 outings.

3. Royals DH Billy Butler has a 40-game homerless streak dating back to May 14.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Royals 3