It’s do-or-die time for the Minnesota Twins. Falling behind in a contentious playoff race, they visit the American League Central-rival Kansas City Royals for the middle game of a three-contest set.
This bill will likely be the last time that these two clubs cross paths this season. Let’s break this one down with some Twins vs Royals betting analysis.
Teams’ Previous Records
Royals’ Performance Recap
The Royals (59-89) kicked the set off with a one-run win on Tuesday night, coming out on top with a 5-4 decision.
They plated the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh frame when catcher Salvador Perez smacked a double that scored rookie shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
Twins’ Performance Recap
It was Minnesota (73-75) that opened the scoring, though, by pushing across three runs in the second inning.
Right fielder Matt Walner and shortstop Carlos Correa were the ones to notch RBIs in that sequence. Correa and second baseman Nick Gordon led the Twins with three hits each.
On the other side:
- left fielder MJ Melendez
- first baseman Hunter Dozier
- Witt Jr.
Had multi-hit performances.
Kansas City’s starting pitcher, veteran Zack Greinke, may not be the bright star he once was, and it showed in this one. He went 5.1 innings, giving up ten hits and each of the Twins’ four runs.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Betting Analysis
Royals Analysis
This one will be about the joy of helping keep a rival out of the postseason for the Royals. Kansas City is out of the conversation as it pertains to the playoff race but will hope to build for the future with the talents of guys like Witt Jr.
Witt Jr. Batting Average
Witt Jr. paces the team this season with a .250 batting average and 134 total knocks, while Perez has 22 home runs and Melendez a .318 on-base percentage.
Four guys :
- Perez
- Witt Jr.
- Melendez
- Dozier
Who Is Taking the Mound for the Royals?
Have piled up double-digit dingers this go-round. Daniel Lynch, a 25-year-old southpaw, is slated to make the start for Kansas City here. He’s 4-11 over 24 starts this year and has a 5.15 ERA.
His last time out, against Minnesota, coincidentally, he went five frames, conceding seven hits and three earned runs.
Twins Analysis
Including Tuesday’s shortcoming, the Twins have lost five of their last six and are fading in the AL Wild Card race.
Twins’ Standings
They’re currently 8.5 games out of the last spot, which is held by Seattle. In front of Minnesota in the standings are the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. The Twins standings can’t particularly afford a continued rash of losses.
First baseman Luis Arraez has been one of the most productive players at the plate in baseball, registering a .314 batting average thus far. That mark is the fourth-best in the majors. Center fielder Byron Buxton has launched 28 homers.
Who Is Taking the Mound for the Twins?
Their starting hurler in this one will be righty Bailey Ober. He’s thrown in eight games to this point, pinning up a 3.49 ERA.
MLB Injury Report
Our Twins vs Royals betting analysis wouldn’t be complete without an injury report. You’ll need to know what names and faces are out of the lineup before putting your money on the line.
Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi is the Royals’ only position player who’s out with an injury as of this moment. He’s only played in 15 games this year, recording an unimpressive .140 batting average during that time.
Catcher Sandy Leon, second baseman Jorge Polanco, and right fielder Max Kepler are all shelved with injuries right now for the Twins.
Royals vs. Twins Betting Preview
Now that we’ve gone over all of that let’s look at the odds for this one. They favor the guests to win this one. Minnesota is -1.5 on the run line at +112, while the Royals odds are -134 to cover the spread.
On the moneyline, the Twins are -154 and Kansas City a +130 underdog. The total has been set at eight runs, with the over being -110 and the under the same at the time of this writing.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Betting Prediction
We’ve done some extensive Twins vs Royals betting analysis, including looking at the MLB team stats.
Look for Kansas City to win outright in this one, as Minnesota appears to be in a freefall that will eventually kill their playoff hopes.
Despite Arraez and Co. being able to put the ball in play, take the hosts to at least cover here.
MLB Pick: Twins -1.5 (+115)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.