Chicago @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2013 ) Kansas City 4, Chi. White Sox 2
The Kansas City Royals didn't make up any ground on American League Central leader Detroit over the weekend, but their upcoming schedule suggests they might be able to close the gap before the teams meet again. The Royals play 16 of their next 17 games against teams with losing records, beginning with the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The White Sox are mired in last place in the division thanks in large part to a 21-42 road mark, the worst in the AL.
Kansas City got back in the race with a red-hot stretch coming out of the All-Star break but has lost five of seven to fall 8 1/2 games behind the Tigers and 6 1/2 back of Oakland for the second wild-card spot. The White Sox have shown signs of life by winning nine of their last 14. They've won their last three road contests after a 10-game skid away from home.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (2-10, 4.54 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (8-6, 3.19)
Danks is winless in his last eight outings dating to July 2, but he has recorded quality starts in five of them. That wasn't the case last time out, as he allowed six runs - four earned - on nine hits over 7 1/3 innings in a loss to Detroit. The 28-year-old hasn't faced Kansas City since 2011 but is 5-0 with a 2.74 ERA in 12 career meetings.
Santana is 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of them. The 30-year-old didn't get a decision his last time out, as he held the Marlins to one run over six innings but the Royals couldn't hold the lead. Santana is 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals have won the last four meetings to take a 7-5 lead in the season series.
2. Fifteen of Chicago's last 17 games have been decided by three runs or fewer. The White Sox are 7-8 in those contests.
3. Both teams should get injured third basemen back during the series. Chicago's Conor Gillaspie (hand) will likely be back for the opener, while Kansas City's Mike Moustakas (calf) has missed six of the past seven games and is expected to sit again Tuesday before returning.
PREDICTION: Royals 5, White Sox 3