Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2018 ) Minnesota 4, Kansas City 8

Salvador Perez is a major reason the Kansas City Royals won the first two contests of their four-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. The All-Star catcher hopes to play a role in another victory when the American League Central rivals continue the set on Saturday.

Perez launched a two-run homer during a four-run sixth inning in Kansas City's series-opening 6-4 triumph and gave the team an 8-4 win on Friday with a walk-off grand slam. It was the third career grand slam and second this season for Perez, who has registered five home runs and 14 RBIs while hitting safely in nine of his last 10 contests. Jorge Bonifacio collected three hits while Adalberto Mondesi, who is 9-for-18 in his last four contests, homered and scored three runs in Friday's victory as the Royals improved to 4-1 on their seven-game homestand. Robbie Grossman and Willians Astudillo each recorded three hits and an RBI for the Twins, who took two of three from Kansas City at home last weekend but have lost seven straight on the road.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Chase De Jong (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-8, 4.92)

De Jong remains in search of his first major-league victory as he makes his second start of the year and the sixth of his career. The 24-year-old Californian, who was acquired from Seattle on July 30, allowed one hit and issued four walks while registering five strikeouts over four scoreless innings against Kansas City in his team - and season - debut on Sunday. De Jong combined to post a 7-8 record and 3.66 ERA in 21 starts at Double-A Arkansas and seven appearances (five starts) for Triple-A Rochester this year.

Kennedy made each of his last two starts in Minnesota, giving up three runs and nine hits over nine innings in a pair of no-decisions. The 33-year-old, who also hails from the Golden State, returned from a two-month stint on the disabled list due to an oblique injury to allow one run and four hits across six frames versus the Twins on Sunday. Kennedy, who recorded his only win in 19 turns this year on April 7 at Cleveland, is 4-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 14 career starts against Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Perez is one home run and five RBIs away from matching the career highs of 27 and 80 he set last year.

2. Minnesota rookie OF Jake Cave has gone 7-for-21 with five RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.

3. Kansas City RHP Jorge Lopez exited Friday's start in the fifth inning with a left rib contusion and will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Royals 9, Twins 6