Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Kansas City 1

The Chicago Cubs’ inconsistent offense has been a source of frustration, but the National League Central leaders have been able to rely on Javier Baez. The 2016 NL Championship Series MVP will try to stay hot, and the Cubs hope to get the rest of their bats going in the second of a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

With a homer and an RBI double, Baez drove in two more runs in Monday’s 3-1 Chicago victory to boost his NL-best total to 88 RBIs. That was all the offense the Cubs needed as Cole Hamels and three relievers shut down Kansas City, as Chicago improved to 56-2 when leading after eight innings and extended its division lead to 1 1/2 games over Milwaukee. The Royals have lost five straight and are tied with Baltimore for the worst record in the majors at 34-78. The Cubs are 9-4 in interleague play, while the Royals are 3-7 against NL opponents.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (3-4, 3.90 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (4-4, 3.39)

The Cubs have lost the last five games Montgomery has started, but they’ve scored more than three runs in only one of them. The 29-year-old kept his team in it Thursday, limiting San Diego to one run over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Montgomery is 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Royals, who drafted him in the first round in 2008.

Keller has been solid since moving into the rotation, going 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts. The 23-year-old set a career high with nine strikeouts Thursday, allowing two runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision at the Chicago White Sox. Keller is 2-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 15 games (five starts) at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who did not play Monday, is four hits away from 1,000 in his career.

2. Royals INF Hunter Dozier is 8-for-24 during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Chicago INF/OF Ben Zobrist is 15-for-32 with five doubles, a triple, and two homers in his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Royals 3