Twins at Royals (Game 1)
The Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins have spent much of the season jockeying for last place in the American League Central, but the clubs veered off in opposition directions last month. Despite a rugged schedule in August that included 19 consecutive games against postseason contenders, the Royals have won 17 of 28 games this month and picked up nine games on the visiting Twins entering Saturday's doubleheader. Friday's series opener was rained out.
While the Royals are
firmly entrenched in third place in the division, the Twins have dropped
17 of their last 21 games to drop into the cellar. Minnesota lost three
of four to Seattle to plummet to a major league-worst 25-40 at home. A
lack of offense has been the biggest culprit for the Twins, who have
been held to three runs or fewer 13 times during the 21-game skid. Josh
Willingham has been a bright spot, hitting 33 homers and going deep in
back-to-back games.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Fox Sports Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Cole De Vries (3-5, 4.68 ERA) vs. Royals LH Will Smith (4-6, 5.55)
De
Vries snapped a three-start losing streak last time out, limiting Texas
to two runs - one earned - on three hits in five innings. He has not
surrendered a homer in his last two starts after giving up 10 in his
previous seven outings. He beat the Royals twice in June, struggling
against them in Kansas City but allowing just one run on five hits in
six innings in Minnesota.
Smith has lost his last two outings,
following a pair of solid starts with back-to-back sub-par efforts. He
was charged with five runs - four earned - on nine hits in five innings
at Boston last time out, and was roughed up for four runs in 3 2/3
innings at Tampa Bay in his previous outing. Smith served up homers to
Willingham, Justin Morneau and Trevor Plouffe in a 10-7 loss to the
Twins on June 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals lost their
first 10 home games this season, but have turned things around by going
9-1 in the last 10 at Kauffman Stadium.
2. Minnesota has not won consecutive games since Aug. 6-7.
3. The Twins have won eight of 12 meetings with the Royals, including four of six in Kansas City.