Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2012 ) Kansas City 2, Chi. White Sox 1

Chicago will try for its fifth straight victory when it begins a six-game road trip Tuesday with the first of three against the Kansas City Royals, who have made life miserable for the White Sox this season. Chicago, which has lost 10 of the 15 meetings with Kansas City in 2012, defeated Detroit 5-4 on Monday to take a three-game lead on the Tigers in the American League Central. The White Sox (80-66) are 6-3 against non-playoff contenders in September, but lost two of three to the Royals from Sept. 7-9 at home. Chicago is 5-2 since and has scored at least five runs in six of those games. Monday's contest against the Tigers was a makeup of Thursday's rainout, meaning the White Sox will play on the final 20 days of the season.

Kansas City (66-80), which is in third place and appears headed for its best Central Division finish in nine years, lost two of three at home to the Los Angeles Angels this weekend. Chicago's Gavin Floyd makes his second start since returning from an elbow strain and will try to improve on his 4-8 career record against the Royals. Floyd, though, beat Kansas City with 7 2/3 shutout innings May 11. He will oppose Kansas City's Luke Hochevar, who is coming off his first win in eight starts and has won only twice in 12 outings since June 30.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CS Chicago Plus, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (9-10, 4.59 ERA) vs. Royals Luke Hochevar (8-13, 5.46)

Floyd on Wednesday made his first start since Aug. 26 and allowed three runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings in Chicago's 8-6 loss to Detroit. He also spent a stint on the disabled list in July with the same ailment and was 2-1 in six outings between trips to the DL. Jeff Francouer is 5-for-12 with a homer and two RBIs against Floyd while Alex Gordon is 6-for-19 with two homers and four RBIs. Floyd, though, has tamed Billy Butler (8-for-37).

Hochevar allowed five runs, six hits, walked four and struck out four in five innings at Minnesota on Wednesday, but the offense carried him to a 10-5 victory. He was 0-4 in seven starts after an 8-3 victory over Cleveland on July 31. Hochevar is 4-4 with a 4.05 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) against the White Sox. Paul Konerko is 6-for-27 with two homers and five RBIs against Hochevar while A.J. Pierzynski is 2-for-19 and Alexei Ramirez 8-for-21.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago relievers pitched five shutout innings Monday, with Nate Jones improving to 8-0 after working 2 2/3 frames.

2. Konerko is 3-for-15 in his last four games.

3. Six of the White Sox' final nine games are against the Indians, including three at Cleveland to finish the season.