Royals at Twins
The two worst teams in the major leagues will square off when the reeling Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals in a three-game set between American League Central rivals. The Twins are coming off a three-game sweep at home by the Boston Red Sox, who got well at Minnesota's expense by piling up 24 runs on its beleaguered pitching staff. The Twins' starting pitchers have a 7.09 ERA, the worst in the majors.
The Royals snapped their 12-game losing streak by taking the final two games of a series at the Cleveland Indians. After being held to three runs or fewer in seven of eight games, Kansas City scored 12 runs in the last two games against the Indians, including a four-homer barrage in Wednesday's 8-2 win. Alex Gordon, who got off to a dismal start, went 5-for-8 in his last two to lift his average to a season-best .213.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), FSNO (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Everett Teaford (0-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Twins RH Carl Pavano (1-2, 4.73 ERA)
Teaford will take the mound in place of Danny Duffy, who was scratched from his scheduled start due to tightness in his left elbow. He has made two appearances, tossing four innings of one-hit scoreless relief vs. Cleveland and giving up three runs in three innings at Toronto. He won two of three starts in September last year.
Pavano has pitched at least six innings in each of his four starts and was solid last time out, allowing three runs – two earned – while striking out a season-high seven in a 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay. He is 9-7 lifetime against the Royals, but his ERA is 5.28 and he has allowed Kansas City to bat .304 against him.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Billy Butler is 21-for-49 with two homers and nine RBIs against Pavano.
2. Twins LF Josh Willingham is on paternity leave and will miss the series opener.
3. Kansas City is 5-13 at Target Field.