The Kansas City Royals are set to play their divisional rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will be airing the action.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
The Royals have gone 47-94 SU this year and are 68-72 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 28.9 units for moneyline bettors and 12.4 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 64-77 SU and 71-69 ATS. The team has lost 13.2 units for moneyline bettors and 2.9 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 68-69-3 in 2018. The Royals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 61-69-10.
The right-handed Ian Kennedy will get the start for Kansas City. Kennedy is 1-8 with a 5.13 ERA and 87 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA against Minnesota this year.
The Twins are giving Chase De Jong an opportunity to show what he’s got. This game represents the first MLB start of the season for the right-handed De Jong.
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitchers have given up 4.9 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.68, a WHIP of 1.41 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 4.58 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 61 games against divisional foes, Twins starters have an ERA of 4.80 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.13.
Minnesota’s offense has put up 4.4 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .199/.283/.273 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and first baseman Joe Mauer have paced the Twins’ offense this year. Rosario is hitting .292/.328/.486 with 23 home runs, 75 RBIs and 85 runs scored, while Mauer’s line sits at .271/.342/.367 with five homers, 39 RBIs and 49 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.09 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.38 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.16, along with a K-per-9 of 7.31.
Royals hitters have slashed .244/.307/.386 on their way to 3.8 runs scored per game this season, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s offense has been powered by second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Alex Gordon. The speedy Merrifield is hitting .304/.368/.435 with 11 home runs, 52 RBIs, 71 runs and 31 stolen bases. Gordon is hitting .239/.317/.359 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 23.4 units and are 45-52 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 46 of those games, as opposed to 44 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 6.0 units and are 51-48 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 50 of those games, compared to 47 that went under the total.
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has logged 16 extra-base hits over its last five games. Minnesota has six XBH over its last five.
- Minnesota has posted 18.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 15.8 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 11 over their last 10.
