The Kansas City Royals (-150) host the Minnesota Twins (+130) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Thursday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game series. The early total has been set at 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -120). The Royals (60-89) lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-2 on Wednesday, their sixth head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Reliever Anthony Misiewicz threw 1.1 scoreless innings to get the win, and Scott Barlow earned his 23rd save with a scoreless ninth. Salvador Perez went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Matt Wallner was 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs for the Twins (73-76).
ON THE MOUND
Josh Winder (4-4, 4.17 ERA) is set to start for Minnesota. The right-hander allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road defeat against the Guardians on Saturday. He yielded six hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. For Kansas City, righty Jonathan Heasley (3-8, 5.09 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. Heasley made one start against the Twins in 2021, throwing 5.1 innings in an 11-6 home win on October 1. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out one in the win. In his last start on Friday, Heasley took a no-decision on the road against the Red Sox. He threw 6.2 scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out five and walking three in the 2-1 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against righties like Heasley this season, the Twins have a .727 OPS. Luis Arraez is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .820 OPS in 407 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.9 for the season. The Royals have a .671 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fourth lowest in the league. With a .721 OPS over 411 at-bats, Bobby Witt Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 30-44 in 2022. The Twins have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs. Kansas City has won three in a row at their home park. The Royals are 36-41 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Minnesota is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 4.3-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins are third in the AL Central, nine games behind the division-leading Guardians. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, eight games out of third. The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 22 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
