The Minnesota Twins (15-11) host the Kansas City Royals (6-20) at Target Field on Friday. The Twins took Thursday’s series opener 7-1, their fourth straight head-to-head victory, including all four games this season.
Brock Stewart threw two scoreless innings in relief to get the win. Carlos Correa went 1 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the win.
Christian Vazquez added two runs on two hits. Vinnie Pasquantino was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Royals, stretching his on-base streak to 21 games.
ON THE MOUND
Jordan Lyles (0-4, 4.88 ERA) is in line to get the start for Kansas City. The righty allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the Angels on Sunday. He took the loss, yielding four hits while striking out five and walking one.
Lyles has made one previous start against the Twins this season, a 2-0 home loss on April 1. He surrendered two runs on five hits over 5.1 innings, striking out two and walking two.
For Minnesota, right-hander Pablo Lopez (1-2, 3.00 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Royals this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over 5.1 innings in a 2-0 road win on March 30.
He gave up two hits and walked three, while striking out eight in the win. In his last start on Saturday, Lopez took the loss at home against the Nationals. He threw four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking two in the 10-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 2.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.2. Against righties like Lopez this season, the Royals have a .568 OPS, lowest in the league.
Pasquantino is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .895 OPS in 65 at-bats. Minnesota is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with an improved slash line (.258/.328/.515). The Twins have a .723 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .864 OPS over 67 at-bats, Byron Buxton has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 5-8 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Minnesota has gone 8-5 at their home park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Minnesota is 9-1 in the last 10 games at Target Field between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 5.7-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Guardians. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, nine games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins -1.5 (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
