Free MLB Picks Today: Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals 4/30/23

Sonny Gray, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Minnesota Twins (16-12) as they host the Kansas City Royals (7-21) at Target Field on Sunday with the visitors looking to split the four-game series.

The Royals won 3-2 on Saturday for their first win of the series, their first head-to-head victory in six games this season. Aroldis Chapman got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Scott Barlow earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.

Edward Olivares was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two runs in the win. Byron Buxton went 1 for 4 with a home run and two runs for the Twins.

ON THE MOUND

Brady Singer (2-2, 6.67 ERA) is slated to start for Kansas City. The righty allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 5-4 home win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He got the win, yielding five hits while striking out five. Singer is making his first appearance against the Twins this season.

Over two starts against the Twins in 2022, Singer was 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings. He had 11 strikeouts and three walks. For Minnesota, righty Gray (3-0, 0.62 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Royals this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over five innings in a 2-0 road win on April 1.

He gave up three hits and walked four, while striking out one in the win. In his last start on Monday, Gray got the win at home against the Yankees. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 6-1 triumph. The RHP leads the league in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 3.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.3. Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Royals have a .585 OPS, lowest in MLB. Vinnie Pasquantino is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .833 OPS in 70 at-bats.

Minnesota is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with a better slash line (.253/.328/.549). The Twins have a .740 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .870 OPS over 70 at-bats, Buxton has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Kansas City is 6-9 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Minnesota has gone 9-6 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals at Target Field, Minnesota is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 5.4-2.0.