The Kansas City Royals will square off against the Minnesota Twins at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to showcase the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Minnesota (-130) is the favorite over Kansas City (+120) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at +115 for the Twins -1.5 runs and -135 for the Royals +1.5 runs.
The Twins are 22-28 SU and have gone 29-20 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 7.0 units ATS. Minnesota has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 19-36 SU and 25-29 ATS. They’ve lost 12.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.7 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Royals games have 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 Minnesota. 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 are turning to righty Brad Keller (1-1, 2.01 ERA), who’s got 13 punchouts and seven walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.07. Keller did not record any MLB pitching stats in 2017.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.5 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has 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 games against divisional opponents, Royals starters have an ERA of 5.13 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.57.
The Kansas City hitters have produced 4.0 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .241/.302/.390 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
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, and Merrifield is batting .286 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 27 runs and 12 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Minnesota’s pitchers have 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 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 team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and second baseman Brian Dozier have led Minnesota’s offense. Rosario is hitting .302/.325/.523 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs, 30 runs and five stolen bases, while Dozier is hitting .237/.309/.396 with seven homers, 20 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
Rosario seemed to take a step back when hitting righties on the road in 2017. Across 195 such plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .235/.282/.380 (compared to his total season line of .290/.328/.507).
The Twins have lost 5.5 units and are 20-16 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 18 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 15.6 units and are 13-21 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 13 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Twins, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Twins have hit three home runs in their last 10 games, including two over their last five.
Minnesota has recorded 16.4 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 contests and 16.8 over its last five.
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