Kyle Gibson (0-1, 14.73 ERA) and Edinson Volquez (1-0, 1.12 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (1-6) and the Kansas City Royals (7-0) at Target Field. The Royals won the last game 12-3, continuing a seven-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 15 and can be seen on FSN-KC and FSN-N.
Gibson pitched 3.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering six runs and walking five in a 7-1 defeat to the Tigers. Brian Dozier (.241 ) kept up his hot start Monday, going 2 for 4 with two runs. Against the Twins, Volquez is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Salvador Perez (.414 ) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Royals, going 2 for 5 Monday with two runs and one RBI.
The odds for Minnesota and Kansas City are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available.
Offensively, they average 7.4 runs per game, which is tops in the AL. The Royals are tough outs for opponents, ranking second in the AL with 11.9 hits per game. The Royals are an excellent base stealing team with seven stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. Kansas City’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 2.57 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Royals are the best in the league with a WHIP of 0.86 for the season.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC
Notes
While the Royals have never recorded more than a single error in a game this season, the Twins just recorded their second instance of two or more errors following their latest outing.
The Twins managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are coming in with a 3-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
The Royals are coming into the game with seven consecutive wins, while the Twins currently have a losing streak of three.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Minnesota has hit two this season. Kansas City ranks fifth with 10 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.57 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 11.86.
Ranking 30th, Minnesota is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.530). Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .932.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, they are 6-0. When the Twins allow one or more homers, they have a 0-5 record.
