Trevor May (3-6, 7.88 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (1-5) go up against Danny Duffy (0-0, 9.00 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (6-0) in the first of a three-game division series at Target Field. The Royals enter this series looking to continue a six-game winning streak. The game starts at 4:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 13 and will air on FSN-KC and FSN-N.
Joe Mauer (.300 ) continued his strong start to the season yesterday, going 2 for 4. In his pitching opportunities against the Twins, Duffy is 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA, 34 strikeouts and 16 walks. Salvador Perez (.417 ) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Royals, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Minnesota, a +112 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Kansas City. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. The Twins are 1-5 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -400.
On the other side, the Royals have started off the season 3-0 when they’re favored and are +539 overall with the money line. They sport the second-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 6.2 runs per game. Kansas City is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 11.2 hits per contest. The Royals have racked up seven steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Kansas City’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the AL at 2.60. They have a WHIP of 0.85, second best in the MLB.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
For the first time this season, the Twins registered at least two errors.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Twins need to step it up. The Royals have a record of 5-0 when opponents get seven hits or fewer.
The Royals are coming into the game with six consecutive wins, while the Twins currently have a losing streak of two.
Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the league at 29th when it comes to home runs, hitting one this season. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with nine.
Ranking 13th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.40 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 11.20.
Ranking 30th, Minnesota is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.515). Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .936.
The Royals are 5-0 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 0-4 when they allow at least one homer.
