Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 10, Kansas City 7

THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox will have a chance to improve their standing in the American League Central when they continue their 10-game homestand against the division bottom feeders. Lefthander Mark Buehrle will take the mound Monday in the opener of a three-game set against the last-place Kansas City Royals. The White Sox, who are just 6-11 against the AL Central this season, will then host the Minnesota Twins for four games prior to the All-Star break. Chicago saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss to the cross-town Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday. For its part, Kansas City snapped a five-game losing skid with a 16-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

TV: 7:10 ET, FSKC (Kansas City), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jeff Francis (3-9, 4.79 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.65 ERA).

Francis just can't get untracked this season. The 30-year-old British Columbia native started a three-game losing skid by surrendering a season high-tying six runs in 3 1/3 innings in an eventual 8-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics on June 16. All told, Francis has a gaudy 7.04 ERA during that three-game stretch. Francis collected a no-decision against the White Sox on April 6, despite allowing just two runs in 6 2/3 innings. The bullpen let him down as Chicago rallied to a 10-7 victory and a split of the abbreviated two-game series.

Buehrle has pitched well in the same three-game window, but collected a loss and a pair of no-decisions. After permitting the lone run in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on June 16, the four-time All-Star yielded two earned runs in each of his last two outings. Buehrle has traditionally fared well against Kansas City, posting a 21-11 career mark with a 3.66 ERA. On April 6, he escaped with a no-decision versus the Royals after allowing five runs in as many innings.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (42-43): Although outfielder Carlos Quentin was named to the All-Star Game on Sunday, he has struggled mightily in his career against Francis with just one hit in 11 at-bats. Paul Konerko is still on the fence for his inclusion to the Midsummer Classic. Konerko, who is also on the final vote ballot, is batting .317 with 21 homers and 62 RBIs this season. Konerko sat out Sunday's contest in favor of Adam Dunn, who went 0-for-4. Konerko is expected to be back in the lineup Monday.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (34-50): Melky Cabrera homered twice and rookie Eric Hosmer also went deep as the Royals banged out a season-high 21 hits on Sunday. Cabrera has enjoyed success against Buehrle, going 10-for-17 in his career. Outfielder Alex Gordon, who is on the final vote ballot for the All-Star Game, left the rout after getting hit by a pitch on the left knee by Colorado reliever Matt Belisle. Gordon remained on the ground for several minutes before limping to the dugout. While Gordon's status for the All-Star Game is in question, rookie reliever Aaron Crow was named to the Midsummer Classic. Crow is 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA and a team-leading eight holds this season.

FINAL PITCH: Chicago boasts an impressive 22-7 record in Buehrle's last 29 starts against Kansas City.