Edinson Volquez (9-10, 4.95 ERA) and Jose Berrios (2-3, 9.32 ERA) take the hill in the second of a four-game series between the Kansas City Royals (61-60) and the Minnesota Twins (49-72) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 8-1, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 19 and can be seen on FSKC and FSN.
Volquez pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs (two unearned), striking out three and walking one in an 11-4 win over the Twins. Kendrys Morales (.244, 43 Rs, 20 HRs, 57 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. Berrios went 2.0 innings, surrendering six runs (one unearned), striking out one and walking one in a 15-7 defeat to the Astros in his most recent start. Brian Dozier (.267, 73 Rs, 27 HRs, 73 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Kansas City is a -135 favorite against Minnesota and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +337 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 28-12. Kansas City is unbeaten as the favorite and has an 8-2 SU record in its last ten outings. The Royals have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.1 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.9 runs per game. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits at home with a phenomenal 9.5 per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.6 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.3.
In games where it is the underdog, Minnesota has a 37-54 record and an overall money line of -1,182. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 12-20 record against AL Central foes, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is the best in the AL. The Twins are tough outs for opponents, ranking fourth in the AL with 9.1 hits per road game. Minnesota is excellent at drawing walks with 3.2 per game, ranking fourth in the AL. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the second-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Royals have controlled the season series, 8-2. The Royals have a 46-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Berrios takes the mound. Volquez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 34-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Under
Notes
Kansas City has won 45% (24-29) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Minnesota has won 50% (27-27) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Twins are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Royals have a 21-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Royals are 49-16. The Twins have a 36-7 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 478 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 with 557.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 276 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 12th with 385.
The Royals are 42-33 when they hit at least one home run. The Twins perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 40-39 record.
