Seattle @ Kansas City preview

Seattle at Kansas City

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2013 ) Kansas City 11, Seattle 6

The host Kansas City Royals would be best served to take advantage of slumping Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in Monday's opener of a four-game set if they wish to keep their postseason aspirations afloat. The 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner has dropped his last three decisions overall and four of five while amassing a gaudy 7.00 ERA. Eric Hosmer, on the other hand, has been sizzling - collecting multiple hits in each contest of Kansas City's three-game series versus Toronto.

Hosmer, who finished 6-for-12 with five RBIs over the weekend, drove in three runs on Sunday as the Royals salvaged the finale of the set. Kansas City, which has won six of its last eight, resides 5 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card. Rendered powerless by rookie Brett Oberholtzer, the Mariners mustered just four hits as Houston posted a 2-0 victory Sunday to salvage the finale of their four-game series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (12-8, 2.97 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (2-0, 1.10)

Hernandez suffered his third straight loss in horrific fashion, yielding nine runs on 11 hits in three innings en route to a 12-4 setback to Texas on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Venezuelan has pitched well away from home, posting a 7-3 record and 2.54 ERA. Hernandez owns a 4-3 career mark versus Kansas City while limiting the Royals to a .225 batting average.

Duffy recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing by scattering five hits over 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has allowed just two runs while striking out 17 in 16 1/3 frames this season. Duffy, who has yet to face Seattle in his career, still is getting his feet wet after replacing right-hander Wade Davis in the rotation.

WALK-OFFS

1. Speaking of Davis, Royals manager Ned Yost admitted the team plans to recall the struggling hurler prior to Tuesday's game.

2. Former Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday and retired one batter in the eighth inning.

3. Kansas City recorded four stolen bases on Sunday, raising its major league-leading total to 126.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Mariners 2