Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2018 ) Kansas City 1, Minnesota 3

Fresh off winning two of three against the New York Yankees, the Minnesota Twins embark on a 10-game road trip that begins Thursday with the opener of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Minnesota, which is 24-47 away from home, also has three-game sets in Detroit and Oakland on its final trek of the campaign.

The Twins posted a 3-1 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday as Jake Odorizzi pitched 7 1/3 hitless innings before allowing Greg Bird's run-scoring double. Veteran Joe Mauer, who recorded two hits for the second straight game, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune earlier in the day that he is considering retirement after the season. "There's a lot that goes into it than just, 'Do you want to play?'" the 35-year-old said. "There's a lot of different dynamics that go into it. I owe it to myself and my family to sit down and think about those things." Kansas City had its seven-game home winning streak come to an end with Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox - the team's sixth setback in its last 17 contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Stephen Gonsalves (0-2, 11.68 ERA) vs. Royals RH Heath Fillmyer (2-1, 4.75)

Gonsalves has struggled over his first four major-league appearances, allowing 24 hits and 13 walks in just 12 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old escaped with a no-decision against the Royals in his last turn after giving up five runs and five hits over 2 1/3 frames. Gonsalves has worked more than four innings in just one of his four turns - a five-frame effort in a loss to Oakland on Aug. 25.

Fillmyer was torched for six runs and six hits over 2 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Twins in his last outing. The 24-year-old also did not factor in the decision against Minnesota on Aug. 3, when he gave up three runs and five hits in three frames. Fillmyer is 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Mitch Garver departed Wednesday's game shortly after being hit in the mask by a foul tip.

2. Kansas City 2B Adalberto Mondesi went 4-for-5 with two RBIs on Wednesday and has recorded eight multi-hit performances in his last 13 contests.

3. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano (leg) worked out on the field prior to Wednesday's game and said he is hopeful of playing again this season.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Twins 3