Edinson Volquez (1-1, 2.30 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (9-3) go up against Kyle Gibson (1-1, 6.10 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (5-7) in the first of a three-game division series at Kauffman Stadium. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 20 and will air on FSN-N and FSN-KC.
Volquez has a 2.63 ERA and a 0-1 record in his career against the Twins, and faces a struggling Minnesota offense that’s hitting just .223 on the year. Lorenzo Cain (.413, 12 Rs, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base. In his pitching opportunities against the Royals, Gibson is 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He gets a solid Kansas City offense that’s batting .313. Torii Hunter (.225, 3 Rs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
Kansas City is a -157 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Royals are 4-3 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +491. They have impressive records of 4-2 as the favorite and 4-2 SU within their division. The Royals come into the game with the top-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 5.8 runs per game. The Royals have the top batting average in the league at .313. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the AL with an average of only 5.2 strikeouts per game. As for the pitching staff, the Royals rank fourth in the AL in ERA with a 3.43 team average. The Royals are third in the league in WHIP at 1.03.
Moving on to the away team, the Twins come into this game with a weak win percentage of .400 when playing as the underdog (4-6) and an overall money line of -211. Against divisional rivals, they are 4-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 4-6 record.
In their previous three games this season, the Twins have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Gibson (RHP) on the mound against the Royals, who have a 4-2 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Twins will be the right-hander Volquez. They sport a 3-4 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
Minnesota has lost all of its games (0-4) when leading after 7 innings. However, Kansas City has won all of its games (5-0) when taking a late lead.
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Royals need to step it up. The Twins have a record of 3-1 when opponents get eight hits or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 0-2. The Twins have a 2-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 24th in home runs, Minnesota has hit eight this season. Kansas City ranks 15th with 11 home runs.
Kansas City ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 11.27 per game this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 13th with 7.00.
Ranking 26th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.609). Kansas City ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .840.
The Twins are 3-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 7-3 when they allow at least one homer.
