Kansas City @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2013 ) Kansas City 1, NY Yankees 8

Captain Derek Jeter could make his much-anticipated return to the lineup on Thursday when the New York Yankees host the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a four-game series. Jeter has been sidelined since spring training when another break was discovered in the ankle that he initially fractured during last year's American League's Championship Series. The 13-time All-Star was 1-for-9 in his four-game rehab stint at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre and was shaky in the field Wednesday night.

The Royals will be facing an emotional cauldron at Yankee Stadium if Jeter does return but their more pressing concern will be dealing with longtime nemesis Andy Pettitte. The 41-year-old left-hander has an outstanding track record against Kansas City, owning a 15-3 career mark versus the Royals and winning 10 straight decisions against them since September 2000. Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has eight multiple-hit games and 11 RBIs in his last 12 contests.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ervin Santana (5-5, 2.90 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (6-6, 4.37)

Santana is 2-0 over his last seven turns and enters Thursday's matchup with four straight no-decisions, a span in which he has not allowed more than three earned runs. Santana had success early in his career against the Yankees, winning five of his first six decisions. Things have taken a dramatic turn since - Santana is 0-6 in his last nine starts against New York, including a loss in Kansas City on May 12.

Pettitte beat Baltimore last time out, giving up four runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings to halt a four-start losing streak. He has surrendered at least four runs in six of seven outings since coming off the 15-day disabled on June 3 - and has permitted at least nine hits three times in that stretch. Pettitte won in Kansas City on May 11, holding the Royals to two runs on five hits over seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jeter is 18-for-44 with three homers against Santana.

2. Kansas City is seeking its second series victory at Yankee Stadium since 2000.

3. Santana, who has pitched at least six innings in all 17 starts, has yielded 24 homers 88 2/3 innings against the Yankees.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Royals 2