Miami @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2008 ) Kansas City 9, Florida 3

The Kansas City Royals are one of the hottest teams in baseball but still are facing an uphill climb into wild-card contention. The Miami Marlins, who visit the Royals for the start of a three-game series on Monday, don’t figure to stand in the way of that climb. The Marlins have dropped seven of their last eight games and own the worst offense in the major leagues.

Kansas City is aiming for its 17th victory in the last 20 contests as it tries to make up a gap of 4 1/2 games to the Oakland Athletics and the second wild-card spot in the American League. The Royals had little trouble scoring while taking three of four from the AL-best Boston Red Sox over the weekend and are averaging 4.5 runs since the All-Star break after putting up just under four in the first half. Miami has averaged 2.1 runs in its last eight games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (3-7, 4.40 ERA) vs. Royals RH Wade Davis (5-9, 5.42)

Koehler struck out eight in five innings at Pittsburgh on Wednesday but was reached for three runs on four hits and a walk en route to the loss. The 27-year-old rookie has allowed three or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven turns but has completed seven innings only twice in that span. Koehler, who is making his first career start against Kansas City, is 2-3 with a 3.98 ERA on the road.

Davis, who was activated from the family emergency list on Sunday, is making his first start since Aug. 2. The right-hander seemed to be pulling himself out of a rough patch before leaving the team, allowing a total of two earned runs over 12 1/3 innings in his last two outings. Davis yielded one earned run and seven hits in 8 1/3 frames spread over three appearances (one start) against Miami in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals added some infield depth by acquiring veteran Jamey Carroll from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named or cash on Sunday.

2. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton is 4-for-40 over his last 11 games.

3. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon has recorded multiple hits in three of the last five contests.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Marlins 2