Minnesota plays Kansas City, looks to build on Happ's strong performance
Kansas City Royals (15-8, first in the AL Central) vs. Minnesota Twins (8-15, fourth in the AL Central)
Minneapolis; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Brady Singer (1-2, 2.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 25 strikeouts) Twins: Michael Pineda (1-1, 2.42 ERA, .90 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -141, Royals +123; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota heads into the matchup fresh off a strong showing by J.A. Happ. Happ went seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts against Cleveland.
The Twins are 3-3 against teams from the AL Central. The Minnesota offense has compiled a .241 batting average as a team this season, good for seventh in the MLB. Byron Buxton leads the team with a mark of .438.
The Royals are 6-2 against teams from the AL Central. Kansas City has hit 21 home runs this season, the lowest total in the American League. Carlos Santana leads the club with five, averaging one every 16.4 at-bats.
TOP PERFORMERS: Buxton leads the Twins with 28 hits and has 14 RBIs.
Santana leads the Royals with five home runs home runs and is slugging .476.
LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 2-8, .233 batting average, 5.55 ERA, outscored by 19 runs
Royals: 7-3, .229 batting average, 3.54 ERA, outscored opponents by five runs
INJURIES: Twins: Edwar Colina: (right elbow), Max Kepler: (health protocols), Kyle Garlick: (health protocols), Miguel Sano: (hamstring), JT Riddle: (health protocols).
Royals: Jesse Hahn: (right shoulder), Adalberto Mondesi: (right oblique strain).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.