Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins odds, predictions, picks and best bets

Skip Snow | Sportsbook Wire

The Kansas City Royals (40-71) and Minnesota Twins (67-42) lock horns in the second of a three-game American League Central series at Target Field Saturday (7:10 p.m. Eastern).

The Twins took Game 1 in a high-scoring affair (11-9) and have now won 7-of-10 against the Royals in 2019.

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a full-set of today's sports odds, access them at Paste BN Sports.

Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins Projected Starting Pitchers

LHP Danny Duffy vs. RHP Kyle Gibson

Duffy owns a 4.42 ERA/5.04 xFIP on the year. He is backed by a 4.83 xFIP bullpen (4.63 since the break). Recent efforts have been solid if a bit uneven. The 30-year-old port-sider generally gives the Royals six frames per start. He has been solid the third time through batting orders, but that's due in part to a .219 BABIP in such situations. The Twins pound fastball pitching and clobber pitchers a third time through, so innings five and six will be key in this one.

Gibson has logged a 4.10 ERA and an impressive 3.66 xFIP through 116 innings. He is backed by a 4.40 xFIP 'pen. Recent efforts have been all over the map, but the right-hander was solid in six innings at the Chicago White Sox in his last start (July 28). The date of the last start is notable - Gibson excels on five days of rest. Current KC bats own a .689 OPS, .096 ISO against him. He tossed eight shutout innings in his last start against the Royals (Target Field, June 14). Gibson has registered a sub-3.90 xFIP at home over the last two seasons (2018-19).

Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins: By the Numbers

The Royals have lost four consecutive games and seven of their last eight. Over that stretch, KC has yielded 7.4 runs per game.
The Twins jump all over lefty pitching (belying a 13-12 record against lefty starters). Minnesota owns a league-best .875 OPS against southpaws.

Over his career, Gibson has logged a 4.57 ERA and .754 OPS against on four-days' rest and a 3.83 ERA and .709 OPSA on five-day intervals.
Duffy's batted-ball history places him squarely in the category of fly-ball pitcher. The Twins rank first in MLB with a high-contact .906 OPS against fly-ballers.
Kansas City owns a league-worst 17-36 record in road games. Royal pitchers have coughed up a .817 OPS over those 53 contests away from Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins: Picks and Betting Tips

</div> Moneyline: The line ( MIN -220, KC +186) doesn't have much value on either side, but there is a definitive lean toward the Twins here. Run line: A more aggressive but more palatable play is MIN to cover -1.5 runs ( -124). Over/under: The number ( 10) is getting even play each way ( -110). On a warm night, with Minnesota's history against LHPs, the OVER is a slim lean. MORE: <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/burmese-python-discovered-in-surprising-place/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Burmese python discovered in surprising place</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/packers-eagles-goal-line-passes/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Packers' puzzling goal-line decisions end in disaster</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/most-bizarre-and-incredible-catches-by-fishermen-in-past-decade-2/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ad-astra-brad-pitt-explained-right-wrong/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Where Ad Astra went right and where it went very wrong</a> <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-fighter-makes-opponent-flinch-by-screaming-in-his-face-during-staredown/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">UFC fighter makes opponent flinch by screaming in his face during staredown</a></body></html>

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