Kansas City @ Seattle preview

Kansas City at Seattle

Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2012 ) Seattle 6, Kansas City 1

The Seattle Mariners flexed their offensive muscle against the Kansas City Royals last week. The Pacific Northwest residents will look for a repeat performance when they open a four-game set against the struggling Royals on Thursday. Seattle, which collected 31 runs and 50 hits in the four-game series versus Kansas City, mustered just three hits en route to a 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees in the rubber match of their set on Wednesday.

Seattle has struggled to score at Safeco Field, however, recording just 133 runs while limping to an 18-29 home mark. While the Mariners are mulling around at home, Kansas City isn't in any position to throw a parade any time soon. The Royals dropped an 11-6 decision to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday for their 17th loss in 23 games overall - and 10th in 13 outings on the road.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luis Mendoza (4-6, 4.31 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (10-7, 3.91)

Mendoza snapped a two-game skid with a quality start against Minnesota on Saturday. The 28-year-old Mexican has struggled versus Seattle, recording a gaudy 9.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in four career appearances. Mendoza has yet to face the Mariners this season, but has put together a string of four straight quality starts.

Vargas has turned it one since allowing a season-high 10 runs on nine hits in a 14-10 loss to Arizona on June 20. The 29-year-old is 3-0 after yielding just eight runs over his last five starts. Vargas improved to 3-1 in his career versus Kansas City after picking up a quality start in a 9-4 victory on July 16.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City OF Lorenzo Cain has been torching the opposition since returning to the lineup on July 13. Cain, who is hitting .350 with two homers and 11 RBIs, went 1-for-3 versus Vargas last week.

2. Seattle C Jesus Montero certainly enjoyed quite the series versus Kansas City last week, going 10-for-17 with a homer and eight RBIs.

3. Royals DH Billy Butler has fared well versus Vargas, going 5-for-11 with two homers and four RBIs.