Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2018 ) Kansas City 10, Chi. White Sox 5

One-time star Alex Gordon is coming off a season-best four RBIs and looks for another strong game when the Kansas City Royals attempt to finish a three-game sweep of the host Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Gordon spoke about the possibility of retirement after the 2019 campaign prior to Wednesday's game before going 2-for-4 with a homer in a 10-5 victory.

Gordon is 4-for-8 in the series but his offense has gone into a major tailspin since signing a four-year, $72 million contract following the 2015 season and he is batting just .243 with eight homers and 24 RBIs this season. "I think I dealt with this mentally the last time I signed a contract," the 34-year-old Gordon told reporters. "It depends on how I feel in one year and two months. Who knows? I may want to play longer, or I may just want to be with my family. It's the family decision that I think about most. (Retirement) crosses your mind." Leury Garcia drove in three runs on Wednesday and has eight RBIs over the past five games but couldn't prevent the White Sox from losing for the sixth time in seven games. Chicago's Matt Davidson didn't play Wednesday despite being a lava-like 16-for-37 with eight homers, 14 RBIs and 11 runs scored against Kansas City this season.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (4-4, 3.43 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.57)

Keller has won back-to-back starts as he enters his 11th turn as a member of the rotation. The 23-year-old rookie gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings while beating the New York Yankees in his last turn. Keller is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA in four appearances against the White Sox this season and was shelled for five runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings in his lone start against them in a 9-6 loss on July 13.

Lopez is 0-4 with an 8.72 ERA and eight homers allowed over his last four turns. The 24-year-old served up a career-worst five homers and allowed a career-high eight runs to go with seven hits over 4 1/3 innings while losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in his last outing. Lopez is 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts with the Royals and the loss came on July 14 when he gave up five runs and nine hits over 7 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals SS Alcides Escobar was 0-for-3 on Wednesday and is 2-for-26 over his last eight appearances.

2. Chicago RF Avisail Garcia was hitless in four at-bats on Wednesday and is 1-for-12 over the past three games.

3. Kansas City RF Brett Phillips, who was recently acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers, is 3-for-9 with one homer, one double and three RBIs in the series.

PREDICTION: Royals 9, White Sox 4