The Minnesota Twins will look to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. The matchup will begin at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins Odds
Vegas is listing Minnesota (-185) as the favorite over Kansas City (+175). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at +100 for over 9.5 runs and -120 for under 9.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at -125 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +105 for the Twins -1.5.
The Royals have gone 33-73 SU this year and are 50-57 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 24.8 units for moneyline gamblers and 15.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Twins, on the other hand, are 48-56 SU and 59-48 ATS. The team has lost 11.0 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 8.4 units ATS. Minnesota has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven.
Twins games have a 50-54-3 over/under record in 2018. The Royals have been a good under bet with a total record of 44-57-6.
Heath Fillmyer will get the nod for the visiting Royals. Fillmyer is 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Twins this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Twins will turn to righty Jake Odorizzi (4-7, 4.58 ERA) to the mound. Odorizzi has 118 strikeouts and 47 walks to his name, as well as a 1.42 WHIP. Odorizzi is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 4.28, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 4.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 9.4 K/9. In 37 divisional games, Twins starters have an ERA of 4.22 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.83.
The Minnesota offense has put up 4.5 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .236/.312/.346 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Twins’ hitters have been led by left fielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is hitting .297/.340/.499 with 19 home runs, 64 RBIs and 69 runs scored, and Escobar is batting .274 with 15 homers, 63 RBIs and 45 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.26 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 7.35 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.44, along with a WHIP of 1.46.
The Royals offense has slashed .241/.305/.374 on its way to 3.7 runs scored per game this season, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s hitters have been paced by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .297/.367/.423 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 51 runs and 24 stolen bases. Moustakas (.249/.309/.468) has produced 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 22.4 units and are 30-42 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 31 of those games, compared to 36 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
