The Minnesota Twins are set to host their division nemesis Kansas City Royals at Target Field. The game gets underway 8:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to televise the matchup.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Vegas is listing Minnesota (-200) as the favorite over Kansas City (+185). The total stands at 9.5 runs and bettors can wager on either the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at -120 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +100 for the Twins -1.5 runs.
The Twins are 45-22 straight up (SU) and 39-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 19.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.2 units ATS. Minnesota has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in six of those seven. The Royals are 22-46 SU and have gone 30-37 against the spread. Overall, the club has lost 18.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 15.9 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Twins games have an over/under record of 35-27-4 so far in 2019. Kansas City has an over/under record of 31-31-5.
The right-handed Brad Keller is getting the start for Kansas City. Keller (3-8, 4.29 ERA) has recorded 58 strikeouts in 86 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA against Minnesota this year.
The Twins are turning to Kyle Gibson (6-3, 4.14 ERA). Gibson has 71 strikeouts and 17 walks, along with a 1.28 WHIP. Gibson is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 9.64 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.57, a WHIP of 1.17 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.83 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 20 games against divisional opponents, Twins starters have an ERA of 3.20 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.30.
The Minnesota hitters are putting up 6.0 runs per contest, including 5.8 per game against divisional foes and 7.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .305/.369/.561 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Jorge Polanco and left fielder Eddie Rosario have led the Twins’ offense this year. Polanco is hitting .338/.397/.569 with 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and 45 runs scored, while Rosario is batting .267 with 19 homers, 52 RBIs and 46 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.26 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.34 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.86, along with a WHIP of 1.43.
The Royals offense has slashed .244/.312/.406 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game this year, including 4.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is slashing .294/.344/.482 with seven home runs, 31 RBIs, 46 runs and 10 stolen bases, while Mondesi (.277/.310/.460) has produced six homers, 44 RBIs, 38 runs and 26 steals.
The Royals have lost 13.4 units and are 22-27 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 25 of those games, as opposed to 21 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Twins have netted 18.6 units and are 30-22 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 27 of those games, compared to 23 that went under.
Royals at Twins MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in six of Minnesota’s last seven games.
- The Royals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 24 over their last 10.
- The Royals have an OPS of .718 this season and an OPS of .736 against right-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS stands at .861 overall and .855 against righties.
- Minnesota has recorded 27.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 30.2 over its last five.
- The Twins have won three of their last four games SU.
