Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Kansas City at Minnesota

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2013 ) Kansas City 4, Minnesota 3

The surprising Kansas City Royals aim to complete a sweep and extend their season-high winning streak when they visit the American League Central rival Minnesota Twins in the finale of their three-game series Thursday afternoon. Kansas City posted its eighth win in a row Wednesday, scoring twice in the seventh inning to snap a tie and holding on for a 4-3 triumph. The Royals improved to 10-2 since the All-Star break and 9-3 against Minnesota this season as they remained seven games behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City is in better position for a wild-card spot as it trails the division-rival Cleveland Indians by 4 1/2 games. The Royals' newest member, outfielder Justin Maxwell, is expected to be in the lineup after being acquired from the Houston Astros at Wednesday's non-waiver trade deadline. The Twins have lost five of their last seven overall games and three straight at home.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, No TV

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (5-7, 3.09 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-9, 5.26)

Shields improved to 3-1 over his last 11 starts on Friday, when he scattered eight hits over seven scoreless innings in a road triumph over the Chicago White Sox. The 31-year-old has been the victim of poor run support in his first year with Kansas City, as he has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his seven losses and eight of his 10 no-decisions. Shields yielded three runs over 6 1/3 frames at Minnesota on June 28 to improve to 5-2 lifetime against the Twins.

Diamond looks to halt a winless streak that reached six starts Friday at Seattle, where he limited the Mariners to one run over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision. The 27-year-old Canadian, who has not won since defeating the White Sox on June 20, is 1-2 in three career outings against the Royals. Diamond has struggled at home this year, going 2-6 with a 6.06 ERA in nine starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City's winning streak is its longest since it began the 2003 season with nine straight victories.

2. Royals OF Lorenzo Cain has missed three straight games with tightness in his left groin.

3. The clubs meet again in Kansas City for a three-game series beginning Monday.

PREDICTION: Royals 7, Twins 3