Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2011 ) Kansas City 4, Chi. White Sox 5

THE STORY: Considering what transpired in Monday's series opener, one must wonder what the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox will do for an encore. The White Sox erased an early three-run deficit to take the lead in the eighth inning, only to have the Royals return fire to tie the contest in the ninth on a disputed home run. Chicago finally scratched out a 5-4 victory on a balk by All-Star rookie reliever Aaron Crow with two outs in the ninth inning. Jake Peavy will look for a much tamer outing on Tuesday as Chicago vies for its sixth win in seven outings. For its part, Kansas City has dropped six of its last seven to plummet in the standings.

TV: 8:10 ET, FSKC (Kansas City), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Felipe Paulino (0-6, 4.29 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (4-1, 4.47 ERA).

A converted reliever, Paulino has dropped two straight after failing to record a decision in his previous four starts with the Royals. Paulino, who was acquired after the Colorado Rockies designated him for assignment, allowed four runs on 11 hits in seven innings in a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Peavy has enjoyed success against Kansas City in his career. The 30-year-old has posted a 4-2 mark against the American League Central rival. Peavy, who has not yet faced the Royals this season, permitted four runs on seven hits in six innings in his last start on Thursday against the Rockies. He received a no-decision just five days after striking out seven in a dazzling victory over the Washington Nationals.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (43-43): Adam Dunn has had a tough time of it in the Windy City this season. On Monday, the slugger heard a Bronx cheer following a single to right field off lefthander Jeff Francis. Dunn is now 2-for-56 (.036) against southpaws this season. He then received a more genuine applause after belting a two-run homer in the eighth inning to give Chicago a 4-3 lead. While the pool is small, Dunn is 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs against Paulino. Paul Konerko, who is on the final vote ballot for the All-Star Game, had two hits on Monday.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (34-51): Rookie Eric Hosmer led off the ninth inning on Monday with a disputed homer. The blast caromed off the top of the center-field wall as Hosmer hustled in for a triple. After a video review, Hosmer was allowed to come home to tie the game at 4-4. Jeff Francoeur belted a two-run shot in the first inning for his 12th homer of the season and sixth RBI in three games. All-Star hopeful Alex Gordon sat out Monday's game with a bruised left knee. Mitch Maier went 1-for-5 with a run scored in place of Gordon, who was available to pinch hit on Monday. He is expected to serve in that role on Tuesday before returning to the lineup on Wednesday.

FINAL PITCH: "In a perfect world, I'd do it over the break. Then I'd be ready to come back the first time through the rotation. It's all dependent on how I feel obviously, but that's the goal right now." – Chicago lefthander John Danks, on tossing a bullpen session in the next few days and making a minor-league rehab assignment during the All-Star break. He is nursing an oblique injury.