Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2018 ) Kansas City 4, Minnesota 6

Miguel Sano's season will likely go down as a disappointing one for the Minnesota Twins' young slugger, but perhaps his 1 1/2-month exile to the minor leagues earlier this summer was just what he needed to rediscover his stroke. The Twins hope to ride the former All-Star's mini-surge a bit longer and look to stay hot at home Saturday when they host the second of three games this weekend against the Kansas City Royals.

Sano was optioned to Single-A Fort Myers on June 14 following a horrendous start in which he batted .203 and struck out 66 times in his first 148 at-bats. The 25-year-old third baseman hit .309 during his two stops in the minors and those results appear to be carrying over since Minnesota returned from a 10-game road trip, as he is 6-for-13 during the team's six-game homestand - including an early two-run double to help the Twins weather a pair of long rain delays in Friday's 6-4 victory. Despite suffering their second straight defeat in the series opener, the Royals (34-75) are 7-7 since taking the majors' second-worst record into the Midsummer Classic two weeks ago. All-Star catcher Salvador Perez has played an key role in Kansas City's recent improved play, batting .304 with six homers and 14 RBIs in 14 games since the break.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Burch Smith (1-2, 6.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (10-8, 3.56)

Smith followed up his best start of the season with his worst Sunday in New York, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks across four innings to the Yankees. The 28-year-old San Antonio native notched his first victory of 2018 five days earlier against Detroit, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in 6 1/3 frames. Smith has been pummeled for 11 runs over 6 1/3 innings over three 2018 appearances versus the Twins, including four runs in 3 1/3 frames in a start at Minnesota on July 11.

Berrios struggled for the second time in three turns, yielding three runs on nine hits and three walks while throwing 106 pitches across 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Boston on Sunday. The first time All-Star has done his best work at home, however, going 7-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 12 trips to the mound while holding opponents to a .186 average. Berrios earned his first victory in six career starts against Kansas City on July 9, allowing one run and striking out eight over seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins are 12-4 in their last 16 home games.

2. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has eight steals since the All-Star break - tied with Washington's Trea Turner for the most in the majors over that span.

3. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco is hitting .342 over his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2