Edinson Volquez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Ricky Nolasco (5-2, 6.75 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (3-1) and the Minnesota Twins (0-5) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Twins lost the last game 7-0, continuing a five-game losing streak. Action begins at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 10 and can be seen on FSKC and FSN.
Volquez pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out five and walking three in a 4-3 win over the Mets. Alcides Escobar (.278 ) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one RBI. Nolasco will pitch for the Twins. Last season he pitched 37.1 innings last season, going 5-2 with a 6.75 ERA 1.71 WHIP, and three strikeouts. Eduardo Escobar (.444 ) has been successful at the plate to start the season for the Twins, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
The odds for Kansas City and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. It’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Royals. The 0.0 runs that Kansas City’s pitchers allow per game makes them the third-ranked staff in the AL. The Royals are the third-best team in the AL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 6.5 hits per game to their opponents this season.
Minnesota is excellent at making contact with an AL-low 11.6 per game.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 2-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC
Notes
Kansas City earned its first shutout of the season in its last game. Minnesota has been shut out one time this season.
Minnesota has lost all of its games (0-2) when leading after seven innings.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Twins need to step it up. The Royals have a record of 3-1 when opponents get seven hits or less.
When outhit, both the Royals and the Twins have records of 0-1.
Tied at 22nd for total home runs, Kansas City and Minnesota have each hit three homers this season.
Ranking 26th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 6.80 per game. Kansas City ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 7.75.
Kansas City ranks at the top of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .000. Minnesota ranks at the bottom with an OPS of .631.
The Twins are 0-3 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 1-1 when they allow at least one homer.
