Danny Duffy (10-1, 2.73 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (63-60) meet Ervin Santana (6-9, 3.43 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (49-74) in the last of a four-game division series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 10-0, extending a seven-game winning streak. Kansas City can finish out the series sweep with a win in this game. The game gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 21 and will air on FSKC and FSN.
In his last start, Duffy pitched 7.2 innings, giving up one run, striking out five and walking two in a 6-1 victory over the Tigers. Eric Hosmer (.274, 60 Rs, 17 HRs, 72 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. The Twins were also victorious the last time Santana pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out six and walking two in a 4-2 victory over the Braves.
Kansas City is a -171 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Royals perform well as a favorite with a 30-12 record and have an overall money line of +537. They are 9-1 SU and perfect as the favorite (4-0) in their last 10 games. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Royals has gone great. Over that span, Kansas City is averaging 5.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.0. The Royals are a superb hitting team with 9.5 hits per home game, one of the highest marks in the AL. Don’t expect the Kansas City hitters to swing wildly. They average only 7.5 strikeouts per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 2.3 during that span, compared to its 4.2 season average.
On the other side, the Twins have a subpar record of 37-56 when they are the underdog and are -1,382 overall with the money line. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-4 record when playing as the underdog and a SU record of 3-7. When it comes to scoring, the Twins haven’t performed as well against teams from the AL Central. During those games, they averaged four runs per game, below their 4.6 runs per game season average. The Twins average 3.2 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL. Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 7.1 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 5.3. They also allow just 2.6 walks per game, second-best in the AL.
The Royals have gotten the best of the Twins in head-to-head matchups this season, going 10-2. The Royals will take on a right-hander (Santana) in this game and have a 48-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Duffy will take the mound against the Twins, who have a 15-15 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Under
Notes
The Royals won their last game by a 10-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Twins are 2-4. The Royals are 2-3 in blowouts this season.
Kansas City has won 46% (25-29) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Minnesota has won 49% (27-28) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Twins didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Royals have a 5-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-62. The Royals have a 6-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 108 this season. Minnesota ranks 15th with 147 home runs.
Kansas City and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Kansas City sits at sixth with 8.94 hits per game and Minnesota ranks seventh with 8.93.
Ranking 24th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.717). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .749.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 35-61. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 41-49 record.
