AP Sports Preview

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals meet Wednesday evening at Kauffman Stadium in the second game of a three-game series between two last-place teams.

San Francisco (42-58) dropped Monday’s series opener 4-3, ending a streak of three consecutive series wins. Kansas City (41-60) snapped a four-game losing streak with the victory, its first since July 18.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT. The forecast calls for 92 degrees and cloudy.

Pitching matchup

The Giants are expected to start right-hander Landen Roupp (7-8, 4.12 ERA) or right-hander Seth Lugo (3-6, 5.01 ERA). Roupp has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his past seven starts. Lugo lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last outing, allowing five earned runs against the Dodgers.

The Royals will counter with right-hander Michael Wacha (6-8, 4.21 ERA). Wacha threw six innings of three-hit ball Monday against the Giants, allowing one earned run with five strikeouts in a 4-3 win. In two starts against San Francisco this season, Wacha is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA.

Players to watch

Giants reliever JT Brubaker has been effective in recent outings. In Monday’s loss, he threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits with two strikeouts. Over his past five appearances, Brubaker has a 0.96 ERA across 9 1/3 innings.

Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer Monday and is batting .316 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs this season. Perez is 4-for-9 with two home runs in his career against Roupp.

Recent history

The Giants have lost two straight overall and are 3-7 in their past 10 games. San Francisco dropped the opener of this series despite a solo home run from shortstop Willy Adames, who is hitting .267 with 18 homers.

Kansas City has won two of its past three games after a four-game skid. The Royals are 10-18 since July 1.

Series schedule

Following Wednesday’s game, the teams close the series Thursday afternoon before the Giants travel to Los Angeles for a three-game set against the Angels beginning Friday.

Betting lines

San Francisco opened as a -1.5 run-line favorite, according to Interstat’s game simulator. The over/under is 9 runs. The simulator projects a 4-3 Kansas City victory.