(SportsNetwork.com) - The last time the Kansas City Royals appeared in a playoff game, they clinched the 1985 World Series with a Game 7 victory.

If things go well on Thursday night, a 29-year postseason drought could end.

The Royals head to U.S. Cellular Field to open a four-game season-ending series with the Chicago White Sox with a chance to clinch one of the two available American League wild card postseason berths.

The Royals and Oakland Athletics share the lead for the two playoff positions, three games ahead of their nearest pursuers, the Seattle Mariners. Any combination of Kansas City wins and Seattle losses adding to two would clinch a spot for the Royals.

The Mariners visit Toronto on Thursday night.

Additionally, Kansas City still has an outside shot of winning the AL's Central Division title. The Royals trail first-place Detroit by two games heading into the season's final four games. The Tigers are in the playoffs in one form or another, whether it's as a division champion or a wild card.

"I know things are close, we're close," Kansas City's Billy Butler said. "We've got four games left. If we could do it right now, we'd be in a playoff spot. You can't help but realize that it's right around the corner, but you have to keep grinding and keep your head down."

The Royals have won 10 of 15 games with the White Sox this season, including five of six in Chicago.

Workhorse right-hander James Shields gets the start for Kansas City after winning three of four decisions and posting a 1.83 earned run average in his last six starts in Chicago.

In his last six starts overall, however, he's gotten just six runs of support while managing a 2-2 record and compiling a 2.74 ERA.

He allowed three runs on 10 hits in the Royals' 4-3 defeat of the White Sox on Sept. 15 and has started once since, losing 3-2 against Detroit on Saturday.

The series will end the career of Chicago veteran Paul Konerko, who's announced his retirement at the close of his 18th big league season.

Lefty Jose Quintana gets the start on the mound for the White Sox amid a stretch in which he's 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA in his last four starts.

He's faced Kansas City three times in 2014 and is 0-2 with a 4.43 ERA.

He got the no-decision against Shields on July 23 in a game Chicago lost, 2-1.

On Wednesday in Cleveland, Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer to help the Indians keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 6-4 win over the Royals.

Brandon Finnegan (0-1) was charged with the loss in his first career decision for Kansas City.

In Detroit, Ian Kinsler collected two hits and drove in a pair of runs, while Justin Verlander tossed eight strong innings, as the Tigers claimed a 6-1 decision over Chicago in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Conor Gillaspie posted two hits and Dayan Viciedo knocked in the lone run for the White Sox.