KC Royals Return Home To Play Twins After 5-1 Trip

By Mike Vamosi | Aug 18, 2016

Eric Hosmer and his Royals have won four straight and look to continue this weekend against Minnesota. Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals took all three games in Detroit, propelled by their starting pitching. Don’t look now, they’re at .500! All three starters logged innings and kept Ian Kinsler and company quit, where they’ll return home versus bottom dwelling Minnesota.

These two just met in Minneapolis; this weekend they’ll duel it out in Kansas City where our Boys in Blue hopefully continue to climb in the standings.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Thursday, Tyler Duffey/RHP (8-8, 5.71) v. Dillon Gee/RHP (4-6, 4.78)
Friday, 7:15 pm – Jose Berrios/RHP (2-3, 9.23) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (9-10, 4.95)
Saturday, 6:15 pm – Hector Santiago/LHP (10-7, 4.80) v. Ian Kennedy/RHP (7-9, 3.78)
Sunday, 1:15 pm – Ervin Santana/RHP (6-9, 3.43) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (10-1, 2.73)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – We saw last weekend how the Twins starting pitching has struggled by and large during 2016. Duffey gave them the best start up at Target Field, but did draw the Gee end of the straw—which never hurts.

Volquez hopefully is aided being at home (plus pick up his slow pace), but did win last weekend. Kennedy has pitched well; however. before Monday, didn’t have wins to back that up. Santiago looked dominant until the third inning on Sunday. Lastly, ex-Royal versus Bury Me a Royal in the finale should be quite the match-up.

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Series Outlook – Just like last weekend, KC can continue to play catch-up in the standings by playing teams they should be able to beat. Going 5-1 on the road trip really helped. Taking three to four more against the Twins could help launch an improbable playoff run! Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer plus Lorenzo Cain showed signs of life in Detroit which hopefully carries over in their park.

Prediction – Royals win three of four

2016 Meetings
In nine meetings, Kansas City has beat Minnesota seven times which includes last weekend in the Twin Cities. The Twins defense yielded lots of unearned runs, that doesn’t bold well given how the K plays.

Franchise History
All-time the Twins still have a sizable advantage between these two teams leading 382-360. Here in Missouri, the World Champions are 192-181 against Minnesota and 173-164 here at the K.

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games from downtown Minneapolis with Ryan Lefebvre 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 Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

2016 Season Series – Schedule/Results: (KC 7-2)
April 8-10, Kauffman Stadium: W 4-3, W 7-0, W 4-3
May 23-25, Target Field: W 10-4, W 7-4, L 7-5
August 12-14, Target Field: W 7-3, L 5-3, W 11-4
August 18-21, Kauffman Stadium
September 5-7, Target Field
September 27-29, Kauffman Stadium

Next: Five Things That Would Help Royals Make The Post-Season

Game Notes:
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals

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