(AP) -- The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of dropping below .500 for the first time in more than six weeks. Giving the ball to Jeremy Guthrie could help them avoid it.

Guthrie will try to rebound from a rare defeat in Monday night's series opener against the Houston Astros.

The Royals (20-20) were a season-best seven games above the break-even point and one-half game off the AL Central lead May 5, but they've since dropped 10 of 13. Lack of offense has been the main culprit, as Kansas City has scored three of fewer runs nine times during that stretch.