The Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins meet in an AL Central division matchup in MLB action from Target Field on Saturday. Let’s dive into the odds, starting pitching matchup, history and make a prediction for this game.
Odds
Minnesota is a -210 home favorite while Kansas City is set as a +175 road underdog. The total for this game is set at 8 runs.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Brad Keller will start for Kansas City here and is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA and 20 strikeouts this season. Minnesota will start Bailey Ober here and is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 4 strikeouts this season.
Matchup History
Minnesota’s 8-6 win over the Royals on Friday made it five straight wins for the Twins in this head-to-head matchup.
Trends
Kansas City is 15-36 in their last 51 games overall and 14-38 in their last 52 road games while the under is 4-1-1 in their last 6 games overall. Minnesota is 5-1 in their last 6 home games and 4-0 in their last 4 division games while the over is 3-0-1 in their last 4 games overall.
Pick
I’m backing the Twins -1.5 here. Has Brad Keller been the best starter the Royals have had? Maybe, but he sure hasn’t been the worst. That being said, he has allowed 7 runs in his last two starts spanning just 8 innings of work, and he has a 5.33 ERA in his last 5 starts against the Twins going back some time now. Bailey Ober isn’t my favorite pitcher to back, but he looked good in his debut and this might be a fade of the Royals more than anything else. Give me Minnesota -1.5 here.