The Minnesota Twins will be facing off against their division rival Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The game gets underway 8:15 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will televise the matchup.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (+120) as the underdog to Minnesota (-130). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds sitting at -120 for over 9 runs and even money (+100) for under 9. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds sitting at +115 for the Twins -1.5 runs and -135 for the Royals +1.5.
The Twins have gone 22-28 SU this year and are 29-20 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 7.0 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 19-36 SU and 25-29 ATS. The teams lost 12.1 units for moneyline bettors and 8.7 units ATS.
Royals games have had an over/under record of 21-30-3 so far in 2018. Minnesota has an over/under record of 23-25-1.
Right-hander Fernando Romero is getting the start for the visiting Twins. Romero is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals will turn to righty Brad Keller (1-1, 2.01 ERA), who has 13 strikeouts and seven walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.07. Keller did not record any MLB pitching stats in 2017.
Minnesota’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 3.90 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.95 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.44, along with a K/9 of 9.18.
Twins hitters have slashed .235/.311/.385 on their way to 4.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the teams last five outings (1-4 SU).
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and second baseman Brian Dozier have led Minnesota’s hitters. Rosario is hitting .302/.325/.523 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs, 30 runs and five stolen bases, while Dozier (.237/.309/.396) is up to seven homers, 20 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Rosario didn’t do especially well against righties on the road last year. Over 195 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .235/.282/.380 (his overall season line was .290/.328/.507).
In the home-team dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.5 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 5.26, a WHIP of 1.43 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.9 K/9. In 25 divisional games, Royals starters have an ERA of 5.13 and the bullpens ERA is 4.57.
Kansas City’s offense is putting up 4.0 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .241/.302/.390 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Royals hitters have been led by outfielder Jon Jay and second baseman Whit Merrifield. Jay is slashing .307/.364/.363 with 66 hits, 14 RBIs and 24 runs scored, while Merrifield’s line is .286/.363/.414 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 27 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Twins have lost 5.5 units and are 20-16 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 18 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 15.6 units and are 13-21 ATS when facing a righty starter. The overs hit in 13 of those games, compared to 18 that went under the total.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in just one of Minnesota’s last seven games.
- Minnesota has posted 16.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 16.8 over its last five.
- The Twins have hit three home runs in their last 10 games, including two over their last five.
