Miami @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2013 ) Miami 2, Kansas City 6

The Kansas City Royals could be without third baseman Mike Moustakas when they continue their three-game set against the visiting Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Moustakas, who has bounced back from a dismal first half, left Monday’s game with tightness in his left calf and is listed as day-to-day. The Royals improved to 19-5 since the All-Star break with a 6-2 victory in the series opener and climbed within four games of Tampa Bay for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

Rookie Jose Fernandez takes the mound for Miami, which has dropped eight of its last nine games. The Marlins likely will need a stellar outing from their young ace since their struggling offense has scored fewer than three runs in five of their last eight contests. “We’re just not scoring enough runs to overcome any mistake we make pitching-wise,” manager Mike Redmond said.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (8-5, 2.58 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (5-0, 1.79)

Fernandez allowed two runs over five innings against Pittsburgh on Thursday, marking the fifth straight start in which he has yielded fewer than three runs. The 21-year-old, a leading candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, has struck out 32 batters over his last three outings. He enters Tuesday’s start at 132 2/3 innings and will be shut down when he reaches his limit of 170.

Chen has been outstanding since joining the rotation, allowing a total of four earned runs in his five starts. He held the Red Sox scoreless over 7 2/3 innings in the Royals’ 5-1 triumph on Thursday. The 36-year-old, who is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 12 career appearances (eight starts) against the Marlins, is facing them for the first time since 2006 while with Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chen is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 13 home appearances this season, including three starts.

2. The Marlins are 4-11 in interleague play and 24-42 since 2010.

3. Royals LF Alex Gordon missed Monday’s game for the birth of his son, but he’s expected to return Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Marlins 2