Chicago @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 18, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Kansas City 2

THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox will attempt to continue their upward climb in the American League Central on Tuesday night when they play the second of three games at last-place Kansas City. Chicago has won three of four since the All-Star break, including a 5-2 victory over the Royals on Monday, to climb within four games of division-leading Cleveland. Mark Buehrle pitched seven strong innings to pace the White Sox, who regained the lead with two sixth-inning runs after Kansas City had tied it in the fifth.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), Fox Sports (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Jake Peavy (4-3, 5.27) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (1-4, 4.85)
Peavy, who spent time with a physical therapist in his native Alabama during the All-Star break, was pushed back in the rotation by a couple of days after struggling since an emergency relief appearance on June 25. In his last three starts, Peavy has given up 14 runs and 23 hits in 14 1/3 innings over his last three starts, including a July 5 loss at Kansas City that saw him yield five runs in six innings. In seven career starts against the Royals, Peavy is 4-3 with a 4.43 ERA.

While Peavy went home during the All-Star break, Duffy was sent to Triple-A Omaha to get in an extra start. The move wasn't necessarily related to performance — the 22-year-old rookie delivered six solid innings (4 H, 2 ER, 6 K) in a July 7 loss to Detroit, and he has shown improved control of late, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 23:4 in his last four starts. Tuesday will mark Duffy's first time facing the White Sox.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (47-49): Chicago's pitching staff has impressed since the All-Star break, allowing just eight runs in its last four games. That effort has been helped by a defense that has committed just 44 errors in 2011, fewest in the major leagues. The White Sox have actually fared better on the road this season (26-24) than at home (21-25). DH Adam Dunn continues to suffer through an abysmal year, batting just .158 — 32 points lower than any other qualifying hitter in the major leagues — with 124 strikeouts in 284 at-bats.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (38-58): Pitching has been Kansas City's biggest problem this season, but it was a critical mistake in the field that doomed the Royals on Thursday. Starter Kyle Davies (1-9) was on the brink of a rare quality start when a throwing error by shortstop Alcides Escobar ruined what would have been an inning-ending double play with the score tied at 2-2. The Royals, who are just 18-41 since May 12, have committed 60 errors this season, leading to 35 unearned runs for their opponents.

FINAL PITCH: The White Sox bullpen, a major weakness early in the season, has been all but untouchable recently, allowing just three earned runs in 35 innings this month.