St. Louis @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2012 ) Kansas City 5, St. Louis 3

Kansas City manager Ned Yost says his team’s goal is to get to .500 by the All-Star Break. After a 4-2 road trip and a day off Thursday, the Royals are within five games of the target entering Friday’s series opener against the in-state rival Cardinals. The Royals have won seven of nine, including two of three in St. Louis last weekend.

The Cards, meanwhile, dropped two of three in Detroit to fall to 18-18 on the road. They’ve scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their past 12 games. Allen Craig epitomized the team's frustration in Thursday's 2-1, 10-inning loss, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS-M, FSKC

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (0-0, 2.89 ERA) vs. Royals RH Vin Mazzaro (3-1, 2.57)

The rookie Kelly’s last start came against the Royals; he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking one. In his two starts in the majors, batters are hitting .341 against Kelly, who was called up to replace the injured Jaime Garcia.

Mazzaro threw six scoreless innings against the Cardinals a week ago in St. Louis as the Royals won 3-2. He allowed five hits while striking out four and walking one. The converted reliever has started four games, going at least five innings three times.

WALK-OFFS

1. Thirteen of Kansas City’s last 14 games have been decided by two or fewer runs, including six one-run games.

2. Royals pitchers have posted an MLB-best 1.31 ERA in the ninth inning or later.

3. Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran’s 12-game hitting streak ended in Thursday’s loss in Detroit.