Free MLB Picks Today: Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals 9/15/22

The Minnesota Twins (71-70) host the Kansas City Royals (57-86) at Target Field on Thursday with the home team looking to sweep the three-game series. The Twins lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-0 on Wednesday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory and 11th in 15 games this season. Starter Sonny Gray threw seven scoreless innings- striking out eight – for the win. Luis Arraez went 1 for 1 with one run in the win. Michael Massey was 2 for 3 for the Royals.

ON THE MOUND

Daniel Lynch (4-10, 4.82 ERA) is set for the start for Kansas City. The left-hander allowed six runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 10-2 home defeat against the Tigers on Friday. He took the loss, giving up 10 hits while striking out four. Over four previous starts against the Twins this season, Lynch has allowed nine earned runs over 20 innings (1-2, 4.05). He has struck out 12 and walked six. Righty Dylan Bundy (8-7, 4.34 ERA) will toe the rubber for Minnesota. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Royals. Bundy made two appearances against the Royals in 2021, both starts, striking out eight and walking two over 12.2 innings (1-1, 2.84).In his last start on Friday, Bundy took the loss at home against the Guardians. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up seven runs on 12 hits, striking out one, in the 7-6 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.9, while slashing worse across the board (.166/.234/.234). Against righties like Bundy this season, the Royals have a .666 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .725 OPS in 388 at-bats. Minnesota is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Twins have a .713 OPS against left-handers 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 23-45 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Minnesota has gone 42-32 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Minnesota is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals at Target Field with an average scoreline of 5.2-3.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 20 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Twins are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Guardians. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, seven games out of a postseason position.