The Minnesota Twins will play host to their AL Central rival Kansas City Royals at Target Field. The action will begin at 7:40 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Kansas City (receiving +225) is coming into this one as the underdog to Minnesota (-250) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this one at 10.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total currently stand at -115 for the under and -105 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at Royals +1.5 runs (+100) and Twins -1.5 runs (-120).
The Twins are 93-59 straight up (SU) and 84-67 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 21.9 units for moneyline bettors and 11.4 units ATS. The Royals have gone 56-97 SU this year and are 71-81 ATS. In total, the club has lost 21.1 units for moneyline bettors and 23.4 units ATS.
Minnesota games have had an over/under record of 77-69-5 in 2019. Kansas City has also been a decent over bet with a total record of 75-69-8.
The southpaw Mike Montgomery is projected to start for the visiting Royals. Montgomery (3-9, 4.70 ERA) has racked up 62 strikeouts in 82.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Twins this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (1-0, 5.40 ERA and five strikeouts across five innings).
The Twins are putting the ball in the hands of righty Kyle Gibson (13-7, 4.76 ERA), who has 151 strikeouts and 50 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.40. Gibson is 2-0 with 14 strikeouts and a 3.26 ERA across three starts against Kansas City this year.
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitching staff has given up 4.7 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.16, a WHIP of 1.29 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.20 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 66 games against divisional opponents, Twins starters have an ERA of 4.09 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.89.
The Minnesota offense has put up 5.8 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .272/.342/.472 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Shortstop Jorge Polanco and left fielder Eddie Rosario have led the Twins’ hitters this year. Polanco is hitting .300/.361/.492 with 22 home runs, 78 RBIs and 100 runs scored, and Rosario is batting .277 with 31 homers, 101 RBIs and 87 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.16 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.25 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.06, along with a WHIP of 1.42 and a K-per-9 of 8.69.
The Royals offense has slashed .244/.308/.398 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game this season, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Jorge Soler continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .303/.351/.467 with 16 home runs, 74 RBIs, 100 runs and 18 stolen bases. Soler is slashing .258/.345/.556 with 45 homers, 109 RBIs and 86 runs scored.
Royals vs. Twins Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Kansas City has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Minnesota has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 15 over their last 10.
- The Royals have a team OPS of .707 this season and an OPS of .714 against right-handed pitchers. The Twins’ OPS stands at .833 overall and .819 versus righties.
- Kansas City has recorded 18.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 18.6 over its last five.
- The Royals have lost five of their last six games SU.
