The Minnesota Twins are heading south to face their division rival Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City will be showing the matchup and the game gets underway at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Kansas City (+110) as the underdog to Minnesota (-120). The total is sitting at 9.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for even money (+100) and the under for -120. Runline odds stand at +125 for taking the Twins -1.5 runs and -145 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are 49-96 straight up (SU) and 70-74 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 26.0 units for moneyline bettors and 12.6 units (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Twins have gone 67-78 SU this year and are 73-71 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 13.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.5 units ATS. Minnesota is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 61-72-11 in 2018. The Twins have an over/under record of 70-71-3.
Stephen Gonsalves will get the nod for the visiting Twins. The left-handed Gonsalves is 0-2 with an 11.68 ERA and six strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 19.29 ERA against Kansas City this year.
The Royals are preparing to start Heath Fillmyer (2-1, 4.75 ERA), who has 37 strikeouts and 29 walks to his name, as well as a 1.48 WHIP. Fillmyer is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 15.19 ERA over two starts against Minnesota this year.
Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.9 runs per game and its starters own a 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.20 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.62, along with a WHIP of 1.39 and a K/9 of 9.07.
The Twins offense has slashed .244/.315/.401 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Minnesota’s hitters have been paced by outfielder Eddie Rosario and first baseman Joe Mauer, who collectively have belted 29 home runs. Rosario is hitting .287/.323/.479 with 23 home runs, 75 RBIs and 85 runs scored, while Mauer has a .274 average with six homers, 43 RBIs and 51 runs scored.
For the home team, Kansas City’s pitchers have yielded 5.2 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.00 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.12 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 7.4 K/9. In 64 games against AL Central foes, Royals starters have an ERA of 4.82 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.13.
Kansas City’s hitters have put up 3.8 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .215/.308/.344 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is slashing .302/.365/.436 with 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, 76 runs and 35 stolen bases, and Gordon’s line is .239/.320/.358 with 11 homers, 41 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 5.4 units and are 23-20 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to 25 that’ve gone under against lefty starters.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
