Yordano Ventura (10-7, 4.24 ERA) and Tommy Milone (7-4, 3.60 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (82-54) and the Minnesota Twins (70-66) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 7 and can be seen on FSKC and FSN.
Ventura pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out 11 and walking one in a 12-1 win over the Tigers. Lorenzo Cain (.312, 87 Rs, 14 HRs, 64 RBIs, 26 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Milone went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out seven in a 3-0 win over the White Sox in his most recent start. Eddie Rosario (.271, 47 Rs, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs.
Kansas City is a -177 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 +2,415 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 49-27. Kansas City has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 21-14 and 34-22 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Royals have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the AL in offense with 4.5 runs per game. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.3 per game. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 88 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses that come to Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium have been stifled by the Royals, who have a team ERA of only 3.53 at home. The Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.5 walks per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Minnesota has a 54-54 record and an overall money line of +1,983. They are 20-22 as the underdog against teams in their division, and 28-26 SU. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the second-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Royals lead the season series, 8-5. The Royals have a 26-23 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Milone takes the mound. Ventura (RHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 45-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Kansas City is 32-18, while Minnesota is 24-24.
The Twins managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are heading in with a 26-11 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Twins are 47-6. The Royals have a 65-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 12th in runs, Minnesota has earned 587 this season. Kansas City ranks sixth with 608 runs.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 308 this season. Minnesota ranks near the bottom at 23rd with 341.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 57-23, well-matched with the Twins who are 53-30 when hitting one or more homers.
