Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2018 ) Kansas City 4, Chi. White Sox 6

The Chicago White Sox aim for their third consecutive victory when they host the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the opener of the three-game series between the American League Central bottom-feeders. Chicago, which sits 7 1/2 games ahead of last-place Kansas City, posted back-to-back wins at Detroit after three straight contests and six of seven.

Yolmer Sanchez, Jose Abreu and Matt Davidson recorded three hits apiece for the White Sox in Wednesday's 6-5 triumph, with the latter two each belting a two-run homer. Sanchez is riding a five-game hitting streak during which he has gone 9-for-23 while Abreu went 5-for-12 with six RBIs in the three-game set versus the Tigers. Kansas City is beginning a seven-game road trip after posting a 6-2 victory over Toronto on Thursday to earn a split of their four-game series. Rosell Herrera went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Royals, who have lost four straight on the road but took two of three in Chicago from July 31-Aug. 2.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (6-11, 4.82 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (4-14, 4.41)

Junis has been superb in his last two starts but has nothing to show for his efforts as he came away with a pair of no-decisions despite allowing two runs and eight hits over 11 innings. The 25-year-old native of Illinois registered eight strikeouts in each outing and issued a total of two walks as his unbeaten streak reached a season-high three turns. Junis has made both of his career starts against the White Sox this season, losing at home on April 26 before ending a string of eight straight defeats on Aug. 1 at Chicago despite giving up four runs on six hits and three walks in 5 2/3 frames.

Shields lost his fourth consecutive decision on Saturday, when he allowed three runs and seven hits - two homers - in seven innings against Cleveland. The 36-year-old Californian, who posted a combined 27-17 record while with the Royals in 2013 and 2014, will be facing his former team for the fourth time this year. Shields has posted two of his four wins on the season against Kansas City and is 9-3 lifetime versus the club with one complete game - a shutout - and a 4.15 ERA in 16 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Abreu needs four home runs and 27 RBIs to join Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols as the only players to begin their major-league careers with five straight seasons of at least 25 blasts and 100 RBIs, while Davidson is 16-for-40 with eight homers and 14 RBIs versus the Royals this season.

2. Kansas City made a minor trade Thursday, sending RHP prospect Kelvin Gonzalez to Texas for international slot money.

3. Chicago optioned OF Ryan LaMarre, who batted .273 with a homer and two RBIs in nine games during two stints with the club after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on July 9, to Triple-A Charlotte.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Royals 1