The Minnesota Twins will be taking the field against their division rival Kansas City Royals in a Sunday showdown. The matchup will get underway at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (+155) is the home-team underdog against Minnesota (-165) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 10.5 runs (-115 for the under and -105 for the over). You can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at Twins -1.5 runs (-115) and Royals +1.5 runs (-105).
The Twins are 50-26 SU and are 42-33 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 18.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 5.9 units ATS. Minnesota’s covered the spread only once over its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 26-51 SU and 37-39 ATS. They’ve lost 15.8 units for moneyline bettors and 11.8 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 36-33-7 thus far in 2019. Minnesota has been a decent over bet with a total record of 39-31-5.
Right-hander Michael Pineda is the projected starter for the visiting Twins. Pineda is 4-3 with a 4.76 ERA and 62 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Royals will turn to righty Homer Bailey (6-6, 4.82 ERA), who has 67 strikeouts and 31 walks, in addition to a 1.39 WHIP. Bailey is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA in one start against Minnesota this year.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.1 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 5.08, a WHIP of 1.41 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.3. The bullpen has a 4.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 32 games against divisional foes, Royals starters have an ERA of 3.56 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.52.
The Kansas City offense is putting up 4.2 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .263/.333/.427 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Royals’ offense has been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is slashing .299/.348/.498 with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, 54 runs and 11 steals, and Mondesi’s line sits at .269/.302/.441 with six homers, 44 RBIs, 40 runs and 27 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Minnesota’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.65 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8.25 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.45, along with a K/9 of 9.35.
Twins hitters have slashed .271/.340/.503 on their way to 5.8 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Minnesota’s hitters have been led by shortstop Jorge Polanco and left fielder Eddie Rosario, who have combined to launch 30 home runs. Polanco is hitting .324/.383/.544 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs and 48 runs scored, while Rosario is hitting .269/.300/.512 with 19 homers, 56 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
The Twins have gained 16.6 units and are 31-27 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 29 of those games, as opposed to 26 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 12.6 units and are 25-28 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 26 of those games, compared to 23 that went under the total.
Twins at Royals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Minnesota has tallied 16 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Twins have a total OPS of .844 this season and an OPS of .833 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS stands at .712 overall and .728 versus righties.
- The Royals have lost three of their last four games SU.
- Minnesota has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 24.8 over its last five.
- The Twins have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
