Hector Santiago (10-6, 4.47 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (47-70) go up against Edinson Volquez (8-10, 5.03 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (56-60) in the last of a three-game division series at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 5-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 14 and will air on FSKC and FSN.
In his last start, Santiago pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (one unearned), striking out four and walking one in a 7-5 loss to the Astros. Brian Dozier (.266, 69 Rs, 25 HRs, 69 RBIs, 8 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Royals were unsuccessful against the White Sox 7-5 the last time Volquez pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out two and walking one. Cheslor Cuthbert (.301, 34 Rs, 10 HRs, 37 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Minnesota is a -130 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. When playing as the favorite, the Twins have an 11-16 record and overall money line at -1,269. They have not performed well against their division, earning a SU record of 15-27 and a 3-7 record when they were the favorite. The Twins seem to play worse against their division opponents. In divisional matchups, Minnesota has only averaged 4.1 runs per game compared to its 4.6 season average. The Twins are a dangerous hitting team with 389 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. The Twins typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an impressive 3.1 walks per game. As for the pitching staff, the Twins are second in the AL in walks allowed with just 2.6 per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Royals come into this game with a weak win percentage of .368 when playing as the underdog (28-48) and an overall money line of -90. Against teams in their division, they are 26-17 SU, but have an 11-15 record when they were an underdog to win. Kansas City has stepped up their play against division opponents. They have averaged 4.7 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.8. The Royals average just 7.5 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Kansas City’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fourth in the AL with only four runs allowed per road game. The Kansas City pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 7.8 strikeouts per game.
The Royals have gotten the best of the Twins in head-to-head matchups this season, going 6-2. This game will feature Volquez (RHP) on the mound against the Twins, who have a 16-30 home and 32-55 overall record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Royals will be the left-hander Santiago. They sport a 12-15 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN, O/U – Under
Notes
Minnesota recorded at least two errors for the 18th time this season.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Royals have a 20-23 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-58. The Royals have a 6-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 97 this season. Minnesota ranks 13th with 143 home runs.
Minnesota and Kansas City both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Minnesota sits at eighth with 8.91 hits per game and Kansas City ranks seventh with 8.95.
Ranking 27th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.706). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .755.
The Royals are 35-49 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 34-58 when they allow at least one homer.
