Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2012 ) Kansas City 9, Chi. White Sox 1

The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals went into the All-Star break headed in two very different directions. The White Sox took nine of their last 12 to reclaim first place in the American League Central, while the Royals dropped eight of 10 to fall 9 1/2 games off the pace. Kansas City did take two of three games in Chicago earlier this season, winning the final two games of the series by a combined score of 14-1, but the Royals own the worst home record in the American League at 14-23.

The addition of former Boston 3B Kevin Youkilis, last week’s AL Player of the Week, has sparked the White Sox, who have also been buoyed by a strong pitching rotation that features Jake Peavy and Chris Sale. The Royals, meanwhile, have struggled to get quality pitching and their offense has been missing opportunities. Despite ranking seventh in the majors in batting average, Kansas City is just 22nd in runs scored.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Chicago), Fox Sports (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-1, 2.04 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (7-8, 5.22 ERA)

With the exception of a rough outing against the Yankees in New York on June 29 - a game he still won despite giving up six runs - Quintana has been nothing short of outstanding since joining the rotation for good five weeks ago. The rookie has allowed a total of just four runs in his other five starts during that time (1.02 ERA), striking out 23 and walking just two.

Chen limped into the All-Star break, giving up 12 runs on 15 hits in nine innings over his last two starts. Both of those performances came on the road, however, and the left-hander has been far more effective at home, going 4-3 with an ERA of 3.21 in seven games at Kauffman Stadium. In 15 career games (10 starts) against Chicago, Chen is 3-4 with a 3.30 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Current White Sox are batting just .223 (42-for-188) against Chen, with SS Alexei Ramirez (0-for-17) and 2B Gordon Beckham (1-for-15) having the toughest time. C A.J. Pierzynski (11-for-27, 2 HRs) has fared better.

2. The Royals are 1-4 in their last five games against left-handed starters overall, but they have won their last four against left-handers at home.

3. Chicago has won seven of its last eight games against AL Central teams, while Kansas City has dropped six divisional games in a row.