(SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals continue the push toward their first playoff spot since 1985 on Monday when they open a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City dropped three of four to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend and fell 1 1/2 games back of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. The Royals, though, currently occupy the second wild card spot in the AL, a game in front of the Seattle Mariners.

After this series the Royals will host the Tigers in a three-game set.

But, first things first, as the Royals turn to righty James Shields to get them back on track. Shields has certainly lived up to his "Big Game" moniker of late and comes into this start having thrown 18 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last three starts.

"This is why we play the game. This is why we grew up playing the game is for moments like this," Shields said. "And I think if we relax and have fun, we're going to play the baseball that we know how to play."

Shields was brilliant against the Tigers on Wednesday, as he scattered two hits and struck out eight over seven scoreless innings to run his record to 14-7, while lowering his ERA to 3.13.

However, he is only 9-13 lifetime versus the White Sox with a 3.13 ERA in 26 starts.

Chicago will counter with left-hander John Danks, who is a perfect 6-0 in 14 starts against the Royals with a 2.58 ERA. Danks, though, has lost his last three starts and previous five decisions and is 9-11 on the year with a 5.05 ERA.

"I've been doing my best to go out and have fun the last three or four starts," Danks said. "Hopefully, I'll pick up a couple of wins."

Chicago took two of three from the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, but was denied a sweep and had a four-game winning streak stopped on Sunday with a 6-4 loss.

Adrian Nieto and Jose Abreu hit solo homers for the White Sox, while Hector Noesi (8-10) allowed five runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Kansas City has won eight of its 12 matchups with the White Sox this season.