Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2013 ) Kansas City 7, Minnesota 2

The Kansas City Royals have won 11-of-12 games to become an American League wild-card candidate and look to add another victory when they host the Minnesota Twins on Monday in the opener of a three-game series. Kansas City suddenly is four games above .500 after an 8-1 road trip and stands 4 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians for the second wild card. Minnesota just swept a three-game set against Houston but is 3-10 against the Royals this season.

The Twins edged the Astros 3-2 on Sunday as Oswaldo Arcia hit the decisive home run while Justin Morneau added his third blast in eight games. The Royals concluded their impressive trek with a 6-2 win over the New York Mets and are hoping a 10-game homestand will help propel them closer to the top wild-card spot. Kansas City is 13-3 since the All-Star break after losing its final five games beforehand.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kevin Correia (7-7, 4.49 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (11-7, 4.22)

Correia settled for a no-decision against Kansas City on Wednesday, when he gave up two runs and 10 hits in six innings. He is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts against the Royals this season and 0-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four career outings versus Kansas City. Correia is 2-6 with a 6.11 ERA in 10 road starts this year.

Guthrie defeated Correia last week for his third straight victory, allowing two runs and six hits in six innings. He is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts against Minnesota this season and has a 7-3 career mark and 3.29 ERA in 13 career appearances (11 starts) versus the Twins. Guthrie has worked at least six innings in 20 of his 22 outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas went 5-for-10 with two homers and five RBIs in a three-game sweep last week at Minnesota.

2. Morneau is batting .360 with two homers and four doubles in 25 career at-bats against Guthrie.

3. Kansas City OF David Lough, who is 5-for-5 against Correia, will miss at least two games after suffering a quadriceps injury on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Twins 1