Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2013 ) Kansas City 9, Minnesota 3

Prized prospect Kyle Gibson makes his major-league debut when the Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set. The right-handed Gibson had his path to the majors derailed by Tommy John elbow surgery late in the 2011 season and hopes to spark a team that has lost five of its last seven games. Kansas City smashed a season-best four homers in Friday’s 9-3 victory.

The Royals are no longer last in the majors in homers after Friday’s power display raised their season total to 47, two better than the Miami Marlins. First baseman Eric Hosmer went deep twice for his second career multihomer game while designated hitter Billy Butler (40 games) and third baseman Mike Moustakas (35 games) ended lengthy homer droughts. Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer has a .343 career average against the Royals but is hitless in eight at-bats in this series.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Wade Davis (4-5, 4.96 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (NR)

Davis had a 6.16 ERA entering June but is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in four starts this month. He has given up two or fewer earned runs in each outing and has put together three consecutive homerless starts. Davis is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 10 innings against the Twins this season and is 3-0 with a 3.57 ERA in eight career outings (seven starts).

Gibson was 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Rochester before being recalled. He is taking over the rotation spot of Mike Pelfrey (back) and the organization is hoping the 22nd overall pick of the 2009 first-year player draft is up to stay. Gibson played collegiately at Missouri and was a teammate of Royals reliever Aaron Crow, who was tabbed with the 12th pick in the same draft.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hosmer’s only other multihomer game occurred against the Detroit Tigers on August 31, 2011.

2. Minnesota 1B Justin Morneau is 4-for-8 with three doubles and two RBIs in the first two games of the series.

3. Butler had three hits on Friday to mark the fifth time he has had three or more hits this season – two have come against the Twins.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Royals 4