Kansas City @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) Kansas City 4, NY Mets 3

The Kansas City Royals made a concerted effort to bolster their pitching staff during the offseason, acquiring starters James Shields, Wade Davis and Ervin Santana in trades. The moves paid off as pitching has been the impetus for a 10-1 streak that has propelled the Royals within 4 1/2 games of the second wild-card spot in the American League. Kansas City's starters have allowed three runs or fewer in 11 straight games entering Sunday's series finale against the host New York Mets.

The news was not good on the injury front for the Mets on Saturday, when captain David Wright was diagnosed with a hamstring strain that is expected to sideline him 2-to-4 weeks. Wright has a team-high .309 average to go with 16 homers and 54 RBIs, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the club's lineup. "There are certain guys you almost can't afford to lose," New York manager Terry Collins said. "He would fit that category for us."

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Kansas City), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ervin Santana (7-6, 3.03 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (4-1, 3.55)

The All-Star break appears to have invigorated Santana, who is 2-0 and has allowed a total of three earned runs over 22 1/3 innings in his last three starts. He matched his season high with eight strikeouts and allowed two runs on four hits in seven frames to beat Minnesota in his last turn. Santana, who never has faced the Mets, has pitched at least seven innings in 11 of his last 14 outings.

Wheeler rebounded from a pair of mediocre outings by taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Miami in his last turn. He was charged with two runs on three hits over seven frames to improve to 3-0 over his last five starts. The 23-year-old rookie has struggled in three home outings, posting a 1-1 record and 5.87 ERA while allowing opposing batters to hit .279.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York has played 48 extra innings this season, the most in the majors.

2. Royals RHP Greg Holland has converted 22 consecutive saves and 29-of-31 overall this year.

3. Mets RHP David Aardsma has a blown save and a loss while filling in for closer Bobby Parnell (neck), who has missed four straight games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Royals 3