The Kansas City Royals will face off against their divisional rival Minnesota Twins in a Sunday day game. The action will begin at 2:10 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins Odds
Minnesota (-175) is a pretty heavy favorite against Kansas City (+165) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9.5 runs. Odds for betting on the game’s total currently sit at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -135 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +115 for the Twins -1.5.
The Royals are only 22-48 SU and have gone 31-38 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 18.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 16.0 units ATS. The Twins, on the other hand, are 47-22 SU and 41-27 ATS. They’ve gained 21.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 11.4 units ATS.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 36-28-4 so far in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 32-32-5.
The right-handed Jakob Junis is the projected starter for the visiting Royals. Junis (4-6, 5.35 ERA) has recorded 71 strikeouts in 79 innings so far. This is his first outing against Minnesota this year. He made three starts against the Twins in 2018, putting together a 0-1 record against them with a 5.54 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
The Twins are turning to Martin Perez (7-2, 3.97 ERA). Perez has 67 strikeouts and 33 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.45. Perez did not re a start against the Royals in 2018.
Minnesota’s pitching staff has given up 4.2 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.53, a WHIP of 1.16 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.74 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 22 games against divisional opponents, Twins starters have an ERA of 3.14 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.09.
The Minnesota hitters are putting up 6.0 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .266/.337/.497 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Twins’ hitters have been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and left fielder Eddie Rosario. Polanco is slashing .333/.393/.562 with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and 45 runs scored, and Rosario’s line sits at .260/.295/.519 with 19 homers, 52 RBIs and 47 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.18 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.30 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.85, along with a K/9 of 8.80.
Royals hitters have slashed .242/.309/.401 on their way to 4.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .302/.350/.495 with eight home runs, 32 RBIs, 48 runs and 10 steals, while Mondesi (.277/.311/.457) is up to six homers, 44 RBIs, 39 runs and 26 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 4.2 units and are 9-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in seven of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 19.6 units and are 31-22 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 27 of those games, as opposed to 24 which went under the total.
Royals at Twins Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in only one of Kansas City’s last seven contests.
- The Royals have an OPS of .711 this season and an OPS of .670 against left-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS sits at .857 overall and .884 against lefties.
- The Royals have lost three of their last four games SU while the Twins have taken five of their last six.
- Minnesota has posted 25.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 23.8 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 24 over their last 10.
