The Kansas City Royals (6-19) take one of the weakest lineups in MLB on the road to face the Minnesota Twins (14-11) at Target Field on Thursday for the first of a four-game series. The Royals are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Diamondbacks, dropping the finale 2-0 on Wednesday at Chase Field. MJ Melendez was 1 for 3. The Twins are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand.
They won two of three against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 12-6 on Wednesday at Target Field. Jose Miranda went 2 for 3 with two home runs, three runs, and three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won all three games this season between the AL Central rivals, including a 7-4 victory in their most recent meeting on April 2 at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Joe Ryan went six innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out six, to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Zack Greinke (0-3, 4.61 ERA) is slated for the start for Kansas City. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, an 11-8 home win over the Angels on Saturday. He scattered seven hits while striking out two in the no-decision.
Greinke has made one previous start against the Twins this season, a 2-0 home loss on March 30. He surrendered two runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking one. For Minnesota, RHP Tyler Mahle (1-2, 3.32 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Royals.
Mahle made one start against the Royals in 2022, throwing 2.1 innings in a 4-0 home win on August 17. He struck out one and walked one in the no-decision. In his last start on Friday, Mahle took a no-decision at home against the Nationals. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out four, in the 3-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 3.3 runs per game for the season, third lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .222/.279/.351. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team in OPS at .893. The second baseman is slashing .286/.381/.512 with four home runs, seven RBIs, and 11 runs over 25 games.
Over the last five games, however, Kansas City has averaged 4.6 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.277/.316/.424). Against righties like Mahle this season, the Royals have a .585 OPS, lowest in the league.
Pasquantino also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .881 OPS in 58 at-bats. Minnesota is slashing .234/.305/.394 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Byron Buxton leads the team with a .771 OPS.
The right fielder has four home runs, 10 RBIs, and 14 runs scored with a slash line of .244/.308/.463. The Twins have a .712 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .839 OPS over 63 at-bats, Buxton also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 5-7 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Minnesota has gone 7-5 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. Minnesota is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Target Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.2-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Guardians. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, eight games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
