Kansas City at Tampa Bay 1:10 p.m. ET

James Shields has the undesirable task of following David Price in Tampa Bay's rotation, but lately Shields has been doing a pretty good impression of the Rays' ace. 

Shields looks to win a fourth straight decision Wednesday when the Rays complete their series against the visiting Kansas City Royals. 

Wednesday's starters have a tough act to follow after the performances by Price and Luke Hochevar in the Royals' 1-0, 10-inning victory Tuesday.

The two starters each went eight scoreless innings, combining for 18 strikeouts while allowing four hits. 

Eric Hosmer drove in the lone run with a two-out single that scored Jeff Francoeur, who had advanced to second on an error by Ben Zobrist. 

Tampa Bay stayed four games back of New York in the AL East and is a game up on Baltimore for the AL's top wild-card spot. 

While the Rays have been on a roll, the Royals have quietly won 14 of 21. Hosmer is hitting .409 over the last eight games, raising his season average up to .237 - his highest since July 2. 

Kansas City (55-67), which also was limited to one run in the series opener, may not have much better luck getting the offense going against Shields (11-7, 4.03 ERA). 

Shields is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last four starts. He gave up three runs on two homers over six innings of a 12-3 win over Los Angeles on Friday. 

Shields is 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA in five home starts against the Royals. 

Kansas City will counter with Luis Mendoza (7-8, 4.26), who is looking to win his third straight start. 

Mendoza is 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in four starts in August. He allowed two runs and four hits while striking out six in seven innings of a 4-2 win over Chicago on Friday. 

Mendoza will face the Rays for the first time. 

2 plays today...even though i played the ML on the Rays i cant ask anyone to risk that kind of money. Play the RL and the 1H and i think you'll be a winner in a few hours. Good Luck

TAM RAYS -1½+110
1H TAM RAYS -½-130