Royals at Twins
The Kansas City Royals try to continue their surge Wednesday, when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the middle contest of their three-game set. Kansas City improved to 9-2 since the All-Star break and 8-3 against Minnesota this season with a 7-2 triumph in Tuesday's series opener. Mike Moustakas posted his second career two-homer performance and Ervin Santana worked seven strong innings as the Royals extended their season-high winning streak to seven games.
Minnesota managed only five hits as it lost for the fourth time in six contests. Two of those hits were produced by Joe Mauer, who also drove in a run as he returned to the lineup after missing six games to be with his wife for the birth of their twin daughters. The Twins could be without Justin Morneau as the veteran first baseman has been the subject of trade rumors as the deadline approaches.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Kansas City), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (10-7, 4.27 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kevin Correia (7-7, 4.56)
Guthrie posted his third win in four starts Thursday, when he limited the Baltimore Orioles to one run over six innings. The 34-year-old is 3-4 over his last eight outings, allowing five or more runs five times in that span. Guthrie fell to 6-3 lifetime against the Twins on June 27 despite yielding only three runs - two earned - in 6 1/3 frames at Minnesota.
Correia hopes to rebound from a terrible outing at Seattle on Thursday in which he surrendered six runs and seven hits while recording only five outs. The 32-year-old has won just one of his last six starts but has yielded three runs or fewer in three of those outings. Correia is 0-2 with a 5.71 ERA in three career starts against the Royals.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals (52-51) are above .500 for the first time since they were 20-19 on May 18.
2. Kansas City OF Lorenzo Cain has missed two straight games with tightness in his left groin.
3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier missed Tuesday's opener after leaving Sunday's loss in Seattle with back stiffness.
PREDICTION: Royals 6, Twins 4