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Minnesota Twins: 3 questions for the series vs. the Kansas City Royals

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 02: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals is safe at first base as Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Minnesota Twins fields the ball during the fifth inning of the game on August 2, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 11-9. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 02: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals is safe at first base as Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Minnesota Twins fields the ball during the fifth inning of the game on August 2, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 11-9. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of the interleague game at Target Field on September 12, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of the interleague game at Target Field on September 12, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Will Kyle Gibson step up for the third postseason starter role?

In the opener of the three-game series, the Twins will send Kyle Gibson to the mound in an intriguing start for the right-hander. After coming off the injured list with ulcerative colitis last week, Gibson has had back-to-back rough outings as he allowed five earned runs in a start against the Washington Nationals on Sept. 15 and took the loss out of the bullpen in a 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians last Sunday.

While neither outing was promising for Gibson, he has another chance to audition for a starting spot against the Royals on Thursday night. After Martin Perez struggled to get through 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, the competition for the third starter in the Twins postseason rotation is up for grabs.

Gibson’s season has not been perfect by any means, but a strong start over the Royals, who he has gone 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts against this season, could make Twins management and fans breathe a little easier heading into October.

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