Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals series preview
By Chris Schad
Pitching Probables
Thursday: Jake Odorizzi (10-2, 2.24 ERA) vs. Glen Sparkman (1-3, 4.01 ERA)
Jake Odorizzi allowed two home runs to the Kansas City lineup in his last start, but it didn’t matter as the Twins rallied late to earn the 5-4 victory on Joe Mauer night. The win for Odorizzi was his 10th straight decision and the Twins have won 11 straight starts by the right-hander. Against a Kansas City lineup that averages 4.26 runs per game which ranks 25th in MLB.
Glenn Sparkman will get a second chance at Odorizzi after winding up on the losing end last Saturday. The Twins have had the right-handers number during his career as he’s gone 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts against Minnesota. After giving up five runs to the Twins on Sunday, this could represent a good chance to bounce back.
Friday: Martin Perez (7-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. Jakob Junis (4-6, 5.33 ERA)
Martin Perez had the bounce back start he needed against the Royals on Sunday and entered the seventh inning for the first time since his May 17 start against the Seattle Mariners. Despite the length of his start, he still gave up five runs, which gives him a 2-3 record with a 5.55 ERA in his last seven starts. Hopefully, Perez can build on his start from last Sunday and get back on track.
Junis pitched well in the Royals win over the Twins last Sunday, but his pitch count went through the roof as he could only get past four innings. Junis allows plenty of contact and the Twins had threats throughout the afternoon as they left 15 men on base in the 8-6 loss. A little more luck here and they could get to the left-hander.
Saturday: Jose Berrios (8-3, 2.86 ERA) vs. Danny Duffy (3-3, 4.64 ERA)
Jose Berrios deserved a better fate in the Twins’ 2-0 loss to the Red Sox on Monday. The right-hander threw eight innings while striking out ten and the only blemish was a J.D. Martinez RBI double early in the game. Berrios has been a bit of a high-wire act lately, but if Monday’s start is a sign of things to come, it could be a long night for the Kansas City lineup.
Danny Duffy wasn’t perfect in his Monday start against the Mariners, but he was effective enough to get through five innings. Although the Kansas City bullpen was fantastic in holding the lead, Duffy has the stuff to be effective against this Twins lineup. He might just have a tall task going head to head with Berrios.
Sunday: Michael Pineda (4-3, 4.76 ERA) vs. Homer Bailey (6-6, 4.82 ERA)
Michael Pineda has started to turn it on in recent starts as he continues to round himself back into form after 2017 Tommy John surgery and knee tendinitis which momentarily forced him onto the 10-day injured list. Since returning on June 7 against Detroit, Pineda has compiled a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings and has gained velocity on his fastball.
Pineda’s opponent will be Homer Bailey, who is starting to round into form in his own right. In Bailey’s last start on Wednesday, the veteran threw 7 2/3 of scoreless ball while holding the Mariners to five hits while striking out six and walking a pair of batters.