Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2018 ) Kansas City 2, Minnesota 8

The Minnesota Twins' postseason hopes technically aren't dead, but as a team that entered Saturday 13 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second wild card in the American League, it seems as though it is only a matter of time. The Twins are delaying that likely outcome with their recent play at home, however, and will attempt to keep rolling at Target Field on Sunday, when they look to complete a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.

Minnesota improved to 13-4 in its last 17 at home with Saturday's 8-2 victory, as one of the AL's least homer-happy teams belted three to supply ace Jose Berrios with more than enough offense. Max Kepler launched a go-ahead, two-run blast in the fourth inning and has led the Twins' charge at Target Field, batting .333 while drawing 12 walks in his last 16 home games. The Royals (34-76) have dropped three straight and are 3-6 on their 10-game road trip as they continue to stay ahead of Baltimore (33-78) for the worst record in the majors. Alex Gordon, who has recorded multiple hits in four of his last five contests, has been a rare bright spot of late for Kansas City with seven RBIs over his last four games.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (7-9, 4.50 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (0-0, 6.10)

Duffy became the first AL pitcher in the live-ball era to allow fewer than two runs in six straight road starts following Tuesday's win in Chicago, permitting six hits and four walks over 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the White Sox. The 29-year-old has won three of his last four turns and held the opposition without a run in six of his 23 outings overall. Duffy yielded one run over seven frames to notch the victory versus the Twins on July 20, making him 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three meetings this season.

Santana took his lumps for the second time in as many turns on Monday, surrendering four runs and six hits - three homers - over 5 1/3 frames in a no-decision versus Cleveland. The veteran journeyman came off a season-long stint on the disabled list to make his 2018 debut five days earlier, permitting three runs in five frames at Toronto. Whit Merrifield is 5-for-14 with two doubles against Santana, who is 7-10 with a 4.71 ERA in 25 career starts versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins RHP Oliver Drake worked a scoreless ninth inning in his team debut Saturday, becoming the first player in major-league history to pitch for five teams in one season.

2. Gordon is batting .344 and has recorded five two-hit performances during the road trip.

3. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano went 0-for-3 on Saturday, ending his 18-game hitting streak against Kansas City.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Twins 2