Ian Kennedy (9-15, 4.28 ERA) and Tommy Milone (9-5, 3.92 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (2-1) and the Minnesota Twins (0-4) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 4-3, and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 9 and can be seen on FSKC and FSN+.
Kennedy will take the mound after recording 168.1 innings last year, closing out the season with a 9-15 record, 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts. Alcides Escobar (.308 ) kept up his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 5. Milone will pitch for the Twins. Last season he pitched 128.2 innings last season, going 9-5 with a 3.92 ERA 1.27 WHIP, and one strikeouts. Byung Ho Park (.222 ) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Kansas City and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Kansas City. The Royals are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 0.0 runs per game. The Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 6.5 hits per game so far this season.
Minnesota is excellent at making contact with just 11.7 strikeouts per game, ranking second in the AL.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN
Notes
Minnesota has lost all of its games (0-2) when leading after seven innings.
The Twins are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Royals have a record of 1-1 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Twins are 0-1. The Royals have a 2-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total runs this season, Kansas City ranks 28th with eight runs and Minnesota is 27th with nine.
Ranking 26th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching seven this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with 14.
The Twins are 0-2 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 1-1 when they allow at least one homer.
