Tampa Bay @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2011 ) Tampa Bay 4, Kansas City 5

THE STORY: This will be an interesting week for the Tampa Bay Rays. With rumors swirling about possible trades, they need to put together a winning streak to remain in contention before the deadline July 31. The last two nights in Kansas City did not help. Tampa Bay will send rookie Alex Cobb to the mound to try to salvage the finale of the three-game set Sunday afternoon against the suddenly hot Royals. The Rays struck out a season-high 15 times, blew a 4-2 lead and came up empty with the bases loaded and none out in the 10th inning Saturday. Kansas City has won four straight, which matches its season high, and has received clutch hitting and pitching.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, SunSports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (2-0, 3.09 ERA) vs. Royals RH Felipe Paulino (1-7, 4.39).

Cobb has allowed only one or two runs in his last four starts. He gave up one run over six innings in his last outing against the Yankees and did not get a decision. Cobb has allowed 29 hits and one home run in 35 innings, striking out 22 and walking 16. This will be Cobb’s first start against the Royals. Paulino has pitched better since being acquired from Colorado. He was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA with the Rockies and has a 3.60 ERA and a 1-3 mark with the Royals. Paulino allowed four runs in seven innings in a loss to Minnesota in his last start July 17. He has 67 strikeouts and 20 walks in 69 2/3 innings overall.

ABOUT THE RAYS (52-47): Tampa Bay has won only three of its last 11 games, losing in many different ways. The loss Saturday spoiled a brilliant 2011 debut of left fielder Desmond Jennings, who was on base 4-of-5 times, scored twice, knocked in a run and stole a base. Jennings, 24, had 21 at bats with the Rays in 2010. The Rays have been patient with Jennings and it appears this is his time. Evan Longoria is also warming up again with four RBIs in the last three games, but B.J. Upton has cooled off. Upton, who has been mentioned in trade rumors, is 2-for-30 in the last seven games.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (42-58): Kansas City’s big-time prospects have been very visible in the series. Mike Moustakas, mired in a 0-for-22 slide coming into Friday, has four RBIs in the last two days and Eric Hosmer is 5-for-10 with three RBIs. Hosmer is 9-for-16 in his last four games. Alex Gordon is also 5-for-10 in the series and 8-for-19 during the winning streak to raise his average to .302. Royals’ closer Joakim Soria, who escaped the bases-loaded jam Saturday, extended his streak of scoreless outings to seven. He has four saves and a win in that period. Soria is 10 for his last 10 in save opportunities.

FINAL PITCH: Jennings was the 13th rookie used by Tampa Bay this season, the most by any team in the majors. The club record was 16 in 2001. The Royals have used 11 rookies.