Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2016 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Kansas City 10

The Kansas City Royals drifted out of the American League wild card race with five straight losses but have apparently not given up on the season and can clinch a series win in the finale of a four-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Monday. The Royals dropped the series opener to cap their slide but rebounded for victories on Saturday and Sunday.

The defending World Series champions could not figure out the struggling Oakland Athletics while being swept in a four-game series at home last week and likely won't have enough time to make up the gap on Toronto or Baltimore for an AL wild card spot with 13 games left in the regular season. The pride still remains for Kansas City, and Kendrys Morales led the way on Sunday as the offense beat up Chicago's Jose Quintana in a 10-3 win. The White Sox put their own stamp on the AL Central race with series wins over Detroit and Cleveland recently but weren't able to find enough offense the last two days. Chicago's lone series loss this month came at home against the Royals from Sept. 9-11, and the team has dropped 13 of 18 against the defending champs this season.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (7-9, 4.04 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (10-11, 4.42)

Rodon had a string of seven straight quality starts come to an end when he was ripped for six runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings by Cleveland on Wednesday. The 23-year-old issued a total of five walks in his previous five starts. Rodon struck out nine in six innings against Kansas City on Sept. 9, scattering two runs - one earned - and six hits to earn the win.

Ventura struggled in his last two outings and could not make it out of the fifth inning against Oakland on Wednesday. The Dominican Republic native was reached for five runs on seven hits and four walks while also hitting a batter and unleashing two wild pitches in the loss. Ventura went up against Rodon in Chicago on Sept. 9 and took the loss while surrendering five runs - four earned - and 10 hits in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals LF Alex Gordon is 1-for-22 with a solo homer in his last seven games.

2. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera went 0-for-3 on Sunday to snap a string of four straight multi-hit games.

3. Morales has 22 RBIs in 16 games this month.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Royals 1