The Kansas City Royals (57-84) are on the road to face the Minnesota Twins (69-70) at Target Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series. The Royals are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up a tough six-game homestand (2-4). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Tigers, taking the finale 4-0 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Michael Massey was 1 for 3 with a solo home run. The Twins are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Guardians, dropping the finale 4-1 on Sunday at Target Field. Nick Gordon went 2 for 3 with a double and one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won nine of 13 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, including a 4-0 victory in their most recent meeting on August 17 at Target Field. Emilio Pagan threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Kris Bubic (2-11, 5.40 ERA) is in line for the start for Kansas City. The southpaw allowed three runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 4-1 road defeat against the Guardians on September 6. He took the loss, scattering six hits while striking out four and walking one. Bubic has made one previous start against the Twins this season, a 4-2 road loss on August 15. He surrendered four runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings, striking out seven and walking three. For Minnesota, RHP Joe Ryan (10-8, 4.05 ERA) is on the mound. He has made three appearances against the Royals this season, all starts, giving up three runs over 17 innings (3-0, 1.59) with 17 strikeouts and five walks. In his last start on Wednesday, Ryan took the loss on the road against the Yankees. He threw four innings and gave up four runs on three hits, striking out three and walking four in the 7-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 3.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of ././.. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the team in OPS at .729. The shortstop is slashing .246/.291/.438 with 20 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 71 runs over 130 games. Over the last five games, though, Kansas City has averaged only 2.6 runs a game. Against righties like Ryan this season, the Royals have a .675 OPS, fifth lowest in the league. Witt Jr. also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .729 OPS in 378 at-bats. Minnesota is slashing ././. for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Luis Arraez leads the team with a .800 OPS. The second baseman has eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and 76 runs scored with a slash line of .314/.377/.423. Minnesota is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five. The Twins have a .709 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .917 OPS over 103 at-bats, Byron Buxton has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 23-43 away from home in 2022, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Minnesota has lost four in a row at Target Field. The Twins are 40-32 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games at Target Field between the teams, Minnesota is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.5-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 15 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Twins are second in the AL Central, two games behind the Guardians. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, seven games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
