Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2013 ) Kansas City 6, Minnesota 1

The Kansas City Royals have rebounded from a seven-game losing streak to win three straight, and they have done it in unique fashion by beating three different teams. The latest victory came in Tuesday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins, which kept the Royals seven games behind Oakland for the second wild card spot in the American League. The Royals have feasted on the Twins, winning 13 of 17 matchups this season entering Wednesday's second contest of the three-game series.

Minnesota is starting to feel the absence of catcher Joe Mauer, who hasn't played since suffering a concussion Aug. 19. The three-time batting champion leads the Twins with a .324 average but there still is no timetable for his return, even though manager Ron Gardenhire on Tuesday said Mauer is feeling "decent." Minnesota has scored only four runs during a three-game losing streak and continues to struggle at home with five straight defeats.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (1-0, 1.86 ERA) vs. Twins LH Andrew Albers (2-1, 3.00)

Duffy will be promoted from Triple-A Omaha to take the place of Wade Davis, who is being shifted to the bullpen. Duffy made a pair of spot starts earlier this month, including a gem at Detroit on Aug. 16 in which he limited the Tigers to one hit over six scoreless innings. Duffy went 2-2 last year before suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

Albers had nowhere to go but down after opening his career with 17 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts. He allowed five runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings at Detroit last time out after getting tagged for five runs and eight hits in his previous start against the Chicago White Sox. The Saskatchewan native enters his fifth career start having yielded only three walks in 30 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City is 50-11 when scoring more than three runs.

2. Minnesota's starting lineup on Tuesday night had six hitters batting .230 or under.

3. Royals 3B Emilio Bonifacio is 7-for-15 over his last four games.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Twins 3