Series Preview: Twins (58-72) at Royals (72-58)

We bid adieu to the last place Minnesota Twins after Thursday game, that’s right this is the final meeting of 2014 between these foes. Sure, Kansas City has been as dominant against their neighbors to the north as say last season but they’ve still posted a winning record.

will look to get the Royals back on the winning track at Kauffman Stadium when they host the Twins. Photo Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

After last night’s defeat on Derek Jeter appreciation night against the Yankees at Kauffman Stadium they’ll look to rebound. Tonight also kicks off another streak of winnable games (note that last night wasn’t with James Shields starting) plus two home national TV games.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Tuesday, 7:10 pm – Ricky Nolasco/RHP (5-9, 5.96) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (8-11, 2.53)
Wednesday, 7:10 pm – Phil Hughes/RHP (14-8, 3.65) v. Liam Hendriks/RHP (1-0, 6.08)
Thursday, 7:10 pm – Tommy Milone/LHP (6-4, 4.08) v. Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (10-10, 4.32)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Minnesota will deploy three pitchers who’ve given our boys in blue troubles at different times this season. Nolasco is 1-2 against KC in 2014, Hughes 2-1 and Milone 0-1 (but has prior success while with Oakland) will be the trio throwing this series. Duffy is 2-0 against the Twinkies, Hendriks will be making the start in place of Ventura who’s missing this start due to back soreness. Guthrie is 1-0 with that win coming just nine days ago.

Series Predictions – Really feeling optimistic about this series before the big weekend series. That said I’m not going to say all three go to the Royals but I do think they take this series. Prediction: Royals two of three

2014 Meetings:
After winning five of six games the Royals now have a 9-7 advantage this season against the Twins. On their last road trip which opened at Target Field KC took three of four games in the Twin Cities by scores of 6-5, 12-6 and 6-4 with the lone loss being 4-1.

Franchise History:
Minnesota takes a 372-339 all-time record into this final series of 2014 with Kansas City leading 180-175 in the City of Fountains which includes a 161-158 at the K.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports 1 has the coverage of Tuesday night’s game with Steve Physioc and MLB Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven handling national TV coverage. Wednesday and Thursday can be seen on FOX Sports Kansas City with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler handing the TV broadcast. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery are on Royals Live before and after from Rivals. On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports Radio in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews joined by Steve Stewart for game one with Physioc rejoining for the last two games.

AL Central Standings (August 26):
Kansas City Royals (72-58, – GB)
Detroit Tigers (70-59, 1.5 GB)
Cleveland Indians (66-63, 5.5 GB)
Chicago White Sox (59-71, 13 GB)
Minnesota Twins (58-72, 14 GB)

2014 Series Schedule/Results v. Twins (KC 9-7)
April 11-13, Target Field – L 10-1, L 7-1, L 4-3
April 18-20, Kauffman Stadium – W 5-0, W 5-4, L 8-3
June 30-July 2, Target Field – W 6-1, L 10-2, W 4-0
July 29-31, Kauffman Stadium – L 2-1, W 3-2, W 6-3
August 15-18, Target Field – W 6-5, L 4-1, W 12-6, W 6-4
August 26-28, Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals