Kansas City @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2012 ) Toronto 4, Kansas City 1

Jose Bautista didn’t homer in Toronto’s first game in July after setting a club record with 14 homers in June. Bautista was named to start next week’s All-Star Game in Kansas City but first seeks to inflict damage against the Royals in a four-game set in Toronto. The homer binge raised Bautista’s season total to 26, one of which came against Kansas City earlier. The Royals have lost three consecutive games.

Kansas City had the .500 mark in its sights before a weekend collapse against the Minnesota Twins that put the Royals seven below the break-even point. Kansas City doesn’t play at home again until after the All-Star festivities and visits Detroit for three after the Blue Jays series. Toronto split a four-game set with the Los Angeles Angels and is last in the American League East despite being a game above. 500. The Blue Jays are 8 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Everett Teaford (0-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-2, 4.94 ERA)

Teaford is making his third start of the season. He took a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up two runs and five hits in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. Teaford has a 6.75 ERA in two career relief appearances against Toronto.

Romero was pounded in his last outing when he gave up nine runs (eight earned) and seven hits in three innings against the Boston Red Sox. He also walked six, one shy of his season-worst effort. Romero is 5-0 with a 3.83 ERA in seven home starts. He is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA against the Royals and beat them on April 22 when he allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Kansas City closer Jonathan Broxton is 20-for-23 in save opportunities and is one of the five candidates for the final AL All-Star spot.

2. Toronto outfielder Colby Rasmus hit a three-homer on Sunday but is just 4-for-25 over the last six games.

3. Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is 4-for-10 against Romero.