The All-Star break provided a welcome respite for Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw, who is eager to leave his first-half struggles behind.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.94 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 93 strikeouts); Cubs: Colin Rea (8-3, 3.80 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 70 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series.

By calling up Rich Hill for Tuesday's showdown with the Chicago Cubs, the Kansas City Royals put the 45-year-old left-hander in position to make history.

The Cubs are currently facing the Royals and have check in about two of their starting pitchers ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Matthew Boyd pitched seven crisp innings for his 11th win, and the Chicago Cubs spoiled Rich Hill's return to the majors with a 6-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Crow-Armstrong sat out Monday’s series-opening loss to the Kansas City Royals with a bruised right knee he sustained on a slide in Sunday’s game. Manager Craig Counsell had expressed optimism that the 23-year-old could play after a one-game reprieve.

On Tuesday, the Cubs vs. Royals series will continue from Wrigley Field. After a rough start to the series, the Chicago Cubs will be looking to even things up. The Cubs will be leaning on All-Star lefty Matthew Boyd to get them back on track as he takes the mound against the Royals.

Salvador Perez homered twice and drove in four runs, Jac Caglianone and John Rave added solo shots and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago Cubs 12-4