Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2018 ) Kansas City 6, Minnesota 10

After posting their first win of the month in the series opener, the Minnesota Twins seek back-to-back victories for the first time since mid-August when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Twins returned home from a 2-7 road trip that ended with five straight losses - all in September - to top the Royals 10-6 on Friday.

Ehire Adrianza sparked the offense by going 3-for-4 with three RBIs for Minnesota, which has not recorded consecutive triumphs since winning four in a row from Aug. 14-17. Eddie Rosario also provided a boost, going 2-for-5 with a solo homer after missing six games with a strained right quadriceps. Salvador Perez belted a three-run homer, while Jorge Bonifacio collected three hits and plated a run for Kansas City, which has lost three straight following a six-game winning streak. Perez returned to the lineup to extend his hitting streak to five games after missing seven contests with a thumb injury.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jorge Lopez (1-4, 4.24 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-10, 3.92)

Lopez earned his second career victory and first since 2015 while with Milwaukee on Sunday, when he limited Baltimore to one run and five hits with a personal-best eight strikeouts in seven innings. It was just the fourth start of the season and sixth in the career of the 25-year-old Puerto Rican, who made 10 relief appearances with the Brewers before joining the Royals' rotation. Lopez, who lost each of his three turns last month, will be facing Minnesota for the first time.

Berrios remains three victories away from matching the career high of 14 he set last season as his winless streak reached five starts last Saturday, when he was tagged for five runs on three hits - all homers - and three walks in four innings at Texas. The last triumph by the 24-year-old, who also hails from Puerto Rico, came at home against Kansas City on Aug. 4 as he allowed just two runs and five hits over seven frames. That win was the second in as many turns versus the Royals this season and improved him to 2-1 with a 4.99 ERA in seven career starts against the club.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano (knee) missed his second straight game Friday while 1B Tyler Austin (back) also sat out the series opener.

2. Kansas City OF Alex Gordon recorded two RBIs in the series opener, matching the total from his previous six contests.

3. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco is riding a five-game hitting streak after notching his second straight two-hit performance on Friday.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 4