Dillon Gee (4-6, 4.78 ERA) and Tyler Duffey (8-8, 5.71 ERA) start in the first of a four-game series between the Kansas City Royals (60-60) and the Minnesota Twins (49-71) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 18 and can be seen on FSKC and FSN.
Gee pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering five runs, striking out six and walking one in a 5-3 defeat to the Twins. Eric Hosmer (.274, 57 Rs, 17 HRs, 69 RBIs, 5 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Duffey went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 5-3 win over the Royals in his most recent start. Brian Dozier (.267, 72 Rs, 26 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Twins, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs and two RBIs.
Kansas City is a narrow -110 favorite at home against Minnesota. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently nine runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +337 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 28-12. Kansas City is unbeaten as the favorite and has an 8-2 SU record in its last ten outings. The Royals have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.1 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.9 runs per game. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 9.0 per game. Kansas City’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.4 per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.6 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.3.
In games where it is the underdog, Minnesota has a 37-54 record and an overall money line of -1,182. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 12-20 record against AL Central rivals, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, the Twins have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.6 runs per game by averaging 4.1 in those contests. Minnesota is excellent at drawing walks with 3.1 per game, ranking fifth in the AL. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the second-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Royals have controlled the season series, 7-2. The Royals have a 46-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Duffey takes the mound. Gee (RHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 34-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Under
Notes
For the 14th time this season, the Royals registered at least two errors in a game.
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Twins have a 13-37 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-59. The Royals have a 6-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 104 this season. Minnesota ranks 14th with 145 home runs.
Ranking seventh, Minnesota is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.92 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five with 8.97.
Ranking 26th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.711). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .756.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 35-59. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 39-49 record.
