Royals at Twins
The Minnesota Twins may have squandered their last chance to make a move in the American League Central, dropping the final two of a three-game set to division-leading Cleveland. That left the Twins 10 games behind the Indians and nine below .500 as they continue a six-game homestand with the first of three against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
Minnesota (49-58) had already started to look toward the future with a string of deals before Tuesday's deadline, trading away infielders Brian Dozier and Eduardo Escobar along with pitchers Lance Lynn, Zach Duke and Ryan Pressly. "I think we're all putting it behind us pretty well," Twins outfielder Max Kepler. "I think it's going to take us some time to digest what happened, but when it comes to winning and losing we put it behind us right when the game's over." The Royals are battling Baltimore for the worst record in the major leagues, but they opened the second half of the season by sweeping a three-game series from Minnesota. Kansas City was denied another three-game sweep when it dropped the series finale 6-4 at the Chicago White Sox on Thursday to fall to 3-4 on its 10-game road trip.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Heath Fillmyer (0-1, 3.29 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (4-7, 4.58)
Fillmyer is seeking his first career win as he prepares to make his fourth major-league start and eighth appearance overall. He did not factor in the decision Saturday at Yankee Stadium, giving up three runs in five innings, and had his best outing on July 23 when he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over 6 2/3 innings versus Detroit. Fillmyer is holding lefty batters to a .176 batting average.
Odorizzi was impressive in his first start after the All-Star break in Kansas City, striking out eight and limiting the Royals to two runs and two hits over six innings of a no-decision. He had a tougher go at Boston on Saturday, taking the loss after allowing five runs and nine hits over five innings. Whit Merrifield is 3-for-8 with two homers off Odorizzi, who is 2-4 with a 4.29 ERA against the Royals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins 1B/DH Joe Mauer was 12-for-28 in six games versus Kansas City last month.
2. Merrifield hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer Thursday, but he's 5-for-24 in the last six games versus Minnesota.
3. Twins SS Jorge Polanco has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.