Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction 7-28-23 MLB Picks

The Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals meet in game one of a three-game AL Central division series in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium on Friday night.

Twins Sunk in Seattle

The Minnesota Twins had a decent offensive showing in their series against the Seattle Mariners to start the week, but their two best outputs, putting out 7 runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, still was not enough as the Twins collapsed in a 9-7 loss on Tuesday and then an 8-7 loss on Wednesday. The Twins come into this one atop the AL Central at 54-50, but they’ll need to keep taking advantage of schedule spots like this if they’re going to hold onto that lead.  Joey Gallo leads the Twins with 17 home runs while Byron Buxton also has 17 dingers this season. Carlos Correa has a team-high 45 RBIs and 82 hits as well as leading the Twins in doubles with 22 two-baggers as well this season. Sonny Gray will start this game for the Twins and is 4-4 with a 3.15 ERA and 110 strikeouts this season.

Minnesota Twins Team Facts

- The Twins have won each of their last seven games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.

- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight night games following a home loss.

- The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games as road favourites against AL Central opponents.

- The Twins have led after 7 innings in each of their last 10 games against the Royals.

- The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Twins' last three games as road favourites against AL Central opponents.

Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts

- Christian Vazquez has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last four road appearances against the Royals after not playing the previous day.

- Byron Buxton has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Twins' last five games as favourites against the Royals.

- Sonny Gray has recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against the Royals.

- Byron Buxton has hit a home run in three of the Twins' last five games against the Royals.

- Christian Vazquez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances against the Royals after not playing the previous day.

- Byron Buxton has scored at least one run in nine of his last 10 appearances at Kauffman Stadium against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.

- Sonny Gray ranks 8th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (3.15) this season.

Royals Flushed Once Again

The Kansas City Royals once again found a way to disappoint, this time losing their series with the Cleveland Guardians to start the week. KC took the series opener but went down without a whimper in the last pair of games to come into this one at 29-75 on the year following an 8-3 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 103 hits and 51 RBIs along with a .250 batting average while Salvador Perez leads Kansas City in home runs with 17 this season. MJ Melendez also has a team-high 21 doubles but has the dubious distinction of leading KC with 113 strikeouts this season. Brady Singer will start for Kansas City here and is 6-8 with a 5.55 ERA and 90 strikeouts this season.

Kansas City Royals Team Facts

- The Royals have lost each of their last 15 Friday night games.

- The favourites have covered the run line in nine of the last 10 games between the Twins and Royals.

- The Royals have led after 5 innings in each of their last five home night games.

- The Royals have lost the first inning in each of their last six Friday home games.

- The Royals have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last nine Friday games against opponents that held a winning record.

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

- Salvador Perez has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Royals' last six home games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.

- Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Royals' last six home games against opponents that held a winning record.

- Brady Singer has recorded five or more strikeouts in nine of his last 10 appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.

- Edward Olivares has hit a home run in two of his last three home appearances against the Twins.

- MJ Melendez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals' last six games against AL opponents that held a winning record.

- Bobby Witt Jr. has scored at least one run in five of the Royals' last six games against the Twins.

- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks T4th in the league in Steals (28) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

- The Kansas City Royals ranks T1st in the league for triples this season (25).

- The Kansas City Royals ranks 30th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.293).

- The Minnesota Twins ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1006).

- The Minnesota Twins ranks 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1074).

Chris’ Pick

I’m not rushing to bet this game, but I’d take a shot on the Royals here. The Twins have owned this matchup, but as well as Gray has pitched on the road, the Twins have still lost 6 of his last 8 road starts. Kansas City is not going to win a ton of games the rest of the way, but Singer puts this team in a decent spot to win whenever he’s on the mound and I look for this game to be no different. Give me the Royals here.