Preview: White Sox at Royals

[May 27, 2016]  The Kansas City Royals likely will be without third baseman Mike Moustakas for the remainder of the season after learning he has a torn ACL in his right knee. Kansas City received the unwelcome news on Thursday, the same day the scheduled opener of its series with the visiting Chicago White Sox was postponed due to rain.

Cheslor Cuthbert likely will start at third for the Royals on Friday, when the American League Central rivals hope to start what has been reduced to a three-game series, while Moustakas told reporters he will seek a second opinion. "We're still talking with the doctor, get a second opinion, see where we're at," Moustakas said. "You can't rule anything out. I just want to go out there and be healthy and get prepared to play baseball again. That's where I'm at right now." Chicago leads the division but has lost 11 of its last 15 games as its offense is on a deep slide, scoring three runs or fewer in eight of the last nine contests. Kansas City is on the upswing by winning four straight series, including a set at Chicago last week in which it took two of three.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.57 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-0, 2.13)

Gonzalez lost to the Royals on Saturday, when he gave up two runs and six hits in six innings while recording a season-high eight strikeouts. He is 1-4 with a 3.66 ERA in five career starts against Kansas City and has been unable to contain Jarrod Dyson (7-for-8). Gonzalez is 0-7 over his last 12 major-league starts dating back to a win on July 25, 2015 while with Baltimore.

Duffy pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings - allowing four hits - when matched up against Gonzalez last weekend. He is making his third start since returning to the rotation and will be limited to 70-75 pitches on Friday. Duffy is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the White Sox and has struggled with Jose Abreu (7-for-19, one homer) and Austin Jackson (8-for-25, one homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals announced Thursday's postponed contest will not be made up during this series.

2. Abreu is 6-for-8 over his last two games after going through a 2-for-20 slump.

3. Kansas City C Salvador Perez is 9-for-12 over his last three contests and is batting .432 during an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, White Sox 1

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