Kansas City @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2011 ) Kansas City 4, Chi. White Sox 5

THE STORY: Two lefthanders having rough seasons will lock horns Sunday afternoon as the Kansas City Royals visit the Chicago White Sox in the finale of their weekend series. The Royals send Jeff Francis to the hill in search of only his second victory in the past two months. The White Sox counter with John Danks in the rubber match of the three-game set.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, CS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jeff Francis (4-12, 4.51 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (4-9, 4.00).

Francis hasn't done much winning, especially over his last 10 starts. He is 1-6 in that span, moving him into a tie for second in the American League in losses. Francis was tagged for four runs on five hits over seven innings last time out, but didn't get any support as he dropped a 4-0 decision to Tampa Bay. Danks is dealing with his own struggles, having earned only one victory in his last five starts. He picked up a no-decision last time out, surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings as the White Sox fell 7-6 to Baltimore. Danks is 2-0 in nine career starts against the Royals, with a sparkling 2.40 ERA in 56 1/3 innings.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (50-70): Perhaps Mike Moustakas wasn't ready for his call-up. The Royals third baseman has been ice-cold - particularly since the All-Star break - as he is batting 14-for-95 with zero home runs in 25 second-half contests. Royals manager Ned Yost is adamant that Moustakas will remain at the Kansas City hot corner no matter how poorly he performs at the plate, noting that the 22-year-old has played sparkling defense since being recalled from Triple A. The second overall pick in the 2007 draft came in with high expectations after finishing with 36 home runs and 124 RBIs in the minors last season, but he has just one homer in 187 at-bats with the Royals.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (59-60): As Juan Pierre goes, so go Chicago's chances of making headway in the competitive American League Central. The speedy outfielder went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's rain-riddled victory, marking his third multi-hit effort in the last four games. Pierre may not have the same wheels he once had - his 20 steals in 2011 are well down from the 68 he had a year ago - but he remains a dangerous singles hitter who is difficult as ever to strike out. Saturday's performance bumped his second-half average to .336, helping contribute to the club's 15-12 record over that span.

FINAL PITCH: Moustakas went 0-for-4 Saturday and is hitless in 31 career at-bats against the White Sox.