The streaking Minnesota Twins will go for their sixth consecutive win as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. The action can be viewed across the country on Fox Sports One and the first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Odds
Minnesota (-175) is hosting this one as the favorite over Kansas City (+165) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 9.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -135 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +115 for the Twins -1.5.
The Twins are 48-39 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 40-48 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 10.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 6.3 units (ATS). Minnesota has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Royals are 25-65 SU and have gone 39-50 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 28.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 18.4 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Minnesota games have an over/under record of 41-43-3 so far in 2018. The Royals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 36-49-4.
Ian Kennedy will get the start for Kansas City. The right-handed Kennedy is 1-8 with a 5.11 ERA and 84 strikeouts. He has yet to face Minnesota this year, but he did make five starts against the Twins in 2017, compiling a 0-3 record against them with a 6.43 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
The Twins are putting the ball in the right hand of Aaron Slegers (1-0, 2.38 ERA), who has five punchouts and two walks this season as well as a 0.97 WHIP. Slegers is 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA against Kansas City this year.
As a unit, Minnesota’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 4.23 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 9.3 K/9. In 31 games against divisional opponents, Twins starters have an ERA of 4.07 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.44.
The Minnesota hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .294/.341/.459 over its last five games and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
The Twins’ offense has been led by outfielder Eddie Rosario and shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Rosario is hitting .300/.340/.531 with 18 home runs, 54 RBIs and 58 runs scored, while Escobar is batting .276 with 14 homers, 53 RBIs and 40 runs.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.32 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 7.22 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.35, along with a K/9 of 6.86.
Royals hitters have slashed .238/.300/.363 on their way to 3.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas continue to lead Kansas City’s hitters. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .303/.369/.427 with five home runs, 29 RBIs, 37 runs and 16 stolen bases, while Moustakas (.251/.308/.464) has produced 17 homers, 56 RBIs and 39 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 30.5 units and are 21-37 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 24 of those games, as opposed to 30 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Twins have lost 4.2 units and are 34-29 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 31 of those games, as opposed to 30 that’ve gone under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Twins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Both offenses have logged 16 extra-base hits over their last five contests.
The Royals have hit five home runs in their last 10 games. The Twins have hit 12 over their last 10.
Kansas City has recorded 18.8 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.4 over its last five.
The Royals have dropped 11 of their last 12 games SU.
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