KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — The San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals meet Saturday evening at Kauffman Stadium in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. under a forecast of 88 degrees and rain. San Diego (48-48) sends right-hander Griffin Canning to the mound. Canning is 1-7 with a 5.12 ERA this season. The Royals (38-59) are expected to start right-hander Seth Lugo, who is 4-8 with a 5.67 ERA. Canning has lost his last four decisions and has not earned a victory since June 3. He has allowed 10 earned runs over his past 12 2/3 innings. Lugo has struggled recently. Over his last four starts, he has allowed 18 earned runs in 19 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs in four innings in a loss at Baltimore on July 12. Players to watch Padres reliever Mason Miller has been dominant. Over his last six appearances, he has thrown 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out 11. He earned wins in four of those outings. Royals center fielder Lane Thomas went 3 for 4 with an RBI in Sunday’s loss at Baltimore. Recent results Friday night’s series opener ended in a 0-0 scoreless tie. San Diego enters on a two-game winning streak after sweeping a three-game series against Toronto. The Padres took the final two games by scores of 5-4 and 8-7 after dropping the opener. Kansas City has lost six straight games. The Royals were swept in a three-game series at Baltimore and lost three of four at New York. Season series The teams have played only Friday’s scoreless opener so far this season. They meet again Sunday to close the series. Up next San Diego travels to Atlanta for a four-game series starting Monday. Kansas City hosts San Francisco for a three-game set beginning Monday. Projection Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 San Diego victory.