Minnesota @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 10, 2013 ) Minnesota 0, Kansas City 3
The Minnesota Twins are flexing their offensive muscle while the Kansas City Royals are routinely getting sand kick in their face. The Twins will vie for their seventh win in eight outings on Tuesday when they open a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium against their American League Central rival. Minnesota, which has scored a staggering 39 runs in its last six victories, belted four home runs en route to a 10-0 triumph over Seattle on Sunday.
Kansas City has split its last four games under the watch of George Brett, who accepted the position as the team's interim hitting coach. The Hall of Famer has his work cut out for him as the Royals haven't scored more than four runs in any of their last 12 contests. Additionally, they mustered just seven en route to dropping two of three versus Texas over the weekend.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSKC (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Samuel Deduno (1-1, 5.11 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (1-2, 4.63)
After a brutal season debut on May 24, Deduno righted the ship in a hurry in his last outing. The 29-year-old Dominican allowed one run on four hits in seven sharp innings as Minnesota cruised to a 4-1 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday. Deduno fared well in his lone career outing versus Kansas City last season, yielding one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Mendoza rebounded from two lackluster efforts to finish the month of May with a flourish. The 29-year-old Mexican yielded a total of five runs in his last 16 2/3 innings - but didn't receive a decision in his three trips to the mound. Mendoza posted a 2-1 mark with a 2.67 ERA against Minnesota last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins INF Justin Morneau missed the last two games with the flu, but is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday. Morneau is 5-for-8 against Mendoza.
2. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon, who collected his 24th multi-hit game on Sunday, is 1-for-3 in his career versus Deduno.
3. Minnesota promoted OF Clete Thomas from Triple-A Rochester on Monday. The 28-year-old Thomas batted .296 with the Red Wings this season and will take the roster spot of LHP Tyler Robertson, who was designated for release or assignment.
PREDICTION: Twins 4, Royals 2