Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Kansas City at Minnesota

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2012 ) Kansas City 1, Minnesota 5

The last time left-handers Bruce Chen and Francisco Liriano matched up, it resulted in a 1-0 pitchers' duel that went in the Kansas City Royals' favor. After a doubleheader sweep at the Minnesota Twins' hands Saturday, the visiting Royals need things to go their way again when the lefties square off in the series finale.

The Royals hope Chen pitches better than he did in his last trip to Target Field - he lasted only 2 2/3 innings and allowed six runs in a 7-4 loss April 29. Chen rebounded to beat the Twins on June 5 in Kansas City, tossing seven scoreless innings to outduel Liriano.

The Twins hit four home runs in Saturday's doubleheader, and among them were the 16th of the season for Trevor Plouffe and Josh Willingham, who are tied for the team lead.

Kansas City had pulled within four games of .500 and 5 1/2 games of the American League Central lead before managing only three runs in the twinbill.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Bruce Chen (7-6, 4.53 ERA) vs. Twins LH Francisco Liriano (2-7, 5.30)

Chen has won two straight starts since his worst outing of the year, when he gave up six runs in 1 2/3 innings June 16 at St. Louis. He bounced back with a solid outing to win at Houston, then held Tampa Bay to two runs (one earned) over seven innings for another win Tuesday. Chen has faced the Twins 19 times (nine starts) and is 3-5 with a 4.90 ERA.

Liriano has been solid since his return to the rotation last month. He has five quality starts in six outings since May 30, including the one against Chen and the Royals. Liriano has allowed one run or less in four of those starts, including his most recent outing Monday against the White Sox, in which he allowed one run on four hits over seven innings. Liriano is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) against the Royals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota has lost seven of its last 11 home games, but the Twins have won 19 of their past 26 home meetings with Kansas City.

2. Twins catcher Ryan Doumit, who signed a two-year contract extension Friday, is riding a 10-game hitting streak. Teammate Joe Mauer has hit safely in nine straight.

3. No Royals player with more than two at-bats against Liriano is hitting better than .273 against him. Designated hitter Billy Butler has had a particularly tough time, going 5-for-27 (.185).