Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 2, Kansas City 4

The Chicago White Sox are trying to hold off the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central - and the Kansas City Royals are doing their best to foil their chances. Kansas City beat star left-hander Chris Sale to win Friday's opener of the three-game series and has defeated the White Sox three straight times in an 11-day span. While the Royals are tied for the fewest home wins in baseball, they have gone 10-6 in August and have won seven of their last 10 games.

Chicago had its three-game winning streak snapped and saw its lead reduced to 1 1/2 games over the Tigers. One big plus for the White Sox was the return of first baseman Paul Konerko, who had been sidelined since Aug. 7 with a concussion. The team leader with a .315 batting average, Konerko hit his 19th homer. One cause of concern is the health of center fielder Alejandro De Aza, who had to leave Friday's game due to back stiffness.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Jake Peavy (9-8, 3.04 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (8-10, 5.56)

Peavy turned in his fourth consecutive solid outing in his last start, allowing two runs on five hits in eight hits at Toronto while not factoring in the decision. He has given up only seven earned runs in his last four outings, but he has had his issues with the Royals. He allowed six runs on 12 hits - both season highs - in a loss at Kansas City on July 14 to drop to 4-6 lifetime against the Royals.

Chen has only one victory in his last nine starts and it was at the expense of the White Sox on Aug. 7, when he limited them to two runs in 6 2/3 innings. Chicago roughed up Chen in Kansas City on July 13, amassing six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings off the veteran southpaw. Chen is 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 17 career appearances (12 starts) against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 2B Chris Getz will undergo season-ending surgery Saturday after fracturing his left thumb in Friday's game. Johnny Giavotella was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take his place.

2. A.J. Pierzynski is 14-for-33 and Dayan Viciedo 7-for-13 against Chen, who has held Konerko to seven hits in 36 at-bats.

3. White Sox DH Adam Dunn needs one home run to reach 400 for his career.