Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Kansas City 2

The Kansas City Royals haven't made the playoffs since 1985 - a streak that appears likely to continue barring a dramatic turnaround from their recent play. Kansas City attempts to avoid a three-game home sweep by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday but will need its offense to come alive after producing two runs in the first two games. The Royals surged into playoff contention with a 17-3 run, but have scored only 18 runs in a 2-7 stretch to fall 6 1/2 games behind the second wild card.

The White Sox owned the worst road record in the majors a week ago, but can complete a perfect six-game trip by beating the Royals in the series finale. Chicago has received five consecutive quality starts, a run that began with a strong outing by Carlos Quintana in a victory at Minnesota on Friday. Quintana has a chance to keep the streak going when he squares off with Kansas City's James Shields as the White Sox seek to win six in a row for the first time since last August.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (7-4, 3.66 ERA) vs. Royals RH James Shields (8-8, 3.19)

Quintana held the Twins to two runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings in his last turn, the eighth time in nine starts he has allowed three runs or fewer. Among his two losses in that span was a 5-1 home setback to Kansas City on July 26, when Quintana gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings. He has never beaten the Royals in six career starts, logging an 0-2 record and 3.96 ERA against them.

Shields is 4-1 over his last five starts and has lived up to his "Big Game James" moniker in his last two turns. He blanked Detroit on three hits over seven innings last time out and held Boston to two earned runs over seven innings in his previous start. Shields is 1-1 in four starts against the White Sox this season, but has held Chicago to one run or less in three of those outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas is 7-for-16 with a pair of homers off Quintana.

2. White Sox SS Alexei Ramirez has been a nemesis for Shields, batting .389 (14-for-36) with a pair of homers against him.

3. White Sox rookie RF Avisail Garcia has an eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, White Sox 3