Kansas City @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2011 ) Tampa Bay 5, Kansas City 0

THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Rays looked ready to start climbing back into the playoff race after three straight wins, but two demoralizing losses to the Oakland Athletics over the weekend has slowed their momentum. The Rays need to finish their homestand strong before heading to New York and Boston for the next six. Tampa Bay sends Jeremy Hellickson to the mound to start a four-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Monday night. Kansas City had gone 4-0-1 in its last five series before losing the first two at Detroit, but came back to win Sunday and is 11-7 in the last 18 games. The Royals beat Tampa Bay two of three in Kansas City from July 22-24.

TV: 7:10 p.m. EST; FS-KC (Kansas City), SunSports (Tampa Bay).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luke Hochevar (8-8, 4.95 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.15 ERA).

Hochevar has won three straight games and four straight decisions. He allowed one earned run over 7 1/3 innings to beat Baltimore in his last outing Wednesday. Hochevar beat the Rays on July 22, giving up four runs in 5 1/3 innings. He is 1-2 lifetime with a 9.26 ERA over 23 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay. Evan Longoria is 5-for-10 with two homers and five RBI against Hochevar.

Hellickson allowed just one run over seven innings at Seattle to win his third straight decision. He has allowed three or less runs in 17 of his 19 starts. Hellickson has thrown at least 100 pitches in five of six starts. He pitched one scoreless inning of relief against Kansas City last year.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (49-65): The Royals have introduced another prospect to the lineup in second baseman Johnny Giavotella. The 24-year-old had five hits in his first 11 major league at bats in Detroit the last three games, with a home run and two RBIs. The Royals lost two 4-3 games at Detroit, one in extra innings and another against co-major league win leader Justin Verlander. Designated hitter Billy Butler has cooled off a bit, going 1-for-12 against the Tigers. Jeff Francoeur has continued to swing the bat well with seven hits in 16 at-bats the last four games.

ABOUT THE RAYS (59-54): Tampa Bay was hoping for a big effort from David Price down the stretch to get back in the race, but the lefthander is struggling. Price has lost three straight and did not get a decision Sunday, pitching just 4 2/3 innings. Price will be back in a five-man rotation, which could help. Alex Cobb, who started Saturday, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hand injury. Meanwhile, Casey Kotchman and Desmond Jennings lead the offense. Jennings is 9-for-24 the last five games and Kotchman is 13-for-28 the last seven. B.J. Upton is 0-for-9 since reaching base seven straight times.

FINAL PITCH: Kansas City’s Alex Gordon, in his first full season in left field, earned his 18th outfield assist Sunday to break the team record. Jermaine Dye (2001) and Mark Teahen (2007) had 17. The Royals have 40 outfield assists, which leads the majors.