KC Royals Series Preview: Roadtrip Continues to Twin Cities

By Mike Vamosi | May 22, 2016

Paulo Orlando looks to conitnue his hot hitting in the Twin Cities this week, as KC tries to add a few more wins. Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Our KC Royals will look to end their current road trip with a few more wins after taking two of three at Chicago. They will, however, be doing it without Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas

When we last saw the Twinkies they were a struggling mess. They aren’t quite the trainwreck they were, but this is still a winnable series. In some bigger news, Alex Gordon will miss 3-4 weeks with a wrist injury.

Alex Gordon has fracture of scaphoid bone in wrist area. Out 3-4 weeks #Royals
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) May 23, 2016

Mike Moustakas is also day-to-day with a knee contusion.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Monday, 7:10 pm – RHP Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.24) v. RHP Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 4.74)
Tuesday, 7:10 pm – RHP Edinson Volquez (4-4, 3.79) v. RHP Ervin Santana (1-2, 3.13)
Wednesday, 12:10 pm – RHP Dillon Gee(1-1, 2.90) v. RHP Tyler Duffey (1-3, 3.30)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – This series lines up with the Kansas City Royals starting their three most consistent starters of late taking the hill. The Twins starters are all capable of giving our KC Royals fits so getting to that bullpen will be important.

Game 1: Kennedy threw 116 pitches versus Boston going just 5.2 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Nolasco had a no-decision in his April 10th start at the K.

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Game 2: Volquez is coming off a loss in game two on Wednesday against the Red Sox where he had one tough inning. Ex KC Royals pitcher Santana has been tough when he’s started against his former club and hasn’t gotten run support this season.

Game 3: Gee gave his team another good start in the opener on Friday against the White Sox which hopefully continues. Duffey wasn’t with Minnesota when these two last saw one another, he’s got a nice ERA despite his record.

Series Outlook – Offense needs to continue to find the strides that it’s shown during the past week and this will be another good opportunity. Paulo Orlando and Jarrod Dyson have overcome slow starts to make their platoon work with whoever gets the start. Byung Ho Park is one of the big bats in this line-up along with Miguel Sano who’s second in home runs and leads in RBIs.

Prediction – KC Royals sweep

2016 Meetings
The Kansas City Royals won two 4-3 games which includes a walkoff victory with a 7-0 win sandwiched between. Kennedy started that middle game, Joakim Soria and Wade Davis got the other two decisions in the series.

Franchise History
All-time the Twins still have a sizable advantage between these two teams leading 380-356. Minnesota is also 199-166 in the land of thousand lakes versus the KC Royals, but the boys in blue are 29-27 at Target Field.

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games from downtown Minneapolis with Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler. Joel Goldberg hosts Royals Live before and after the games.

On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Ryan Lefebvre and Steve Stewart.

2016 Season Series – Schedule/Results:
April 8-10, Kauffman Stadium: W 4-3, W 7-0, W 4-3
May 23-25, Target Field
August 12-14, Target Field
August 18-21, Kauffman Stadium
September 5-7, Target Field
September 27-29, Kauffman Stadium

Next: KC Interested In Jay Bruce And Nick Markakis

Game Notes:
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals

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