Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2019 ) Kansas City 0, Minnesota 3

The Minnesota Twins' magic number to clinch their first American League Central title since 2010 sits at seven as they conclude their final homestand of the season with a four-game series versus the Kansas City Royals beginning Thursday. Minnesota missed a chance to move closer to winning the division with a 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday and is four games ahead of Cleveland with 10 contests remaining - all against Kansas City (56-97) and Detroit (45-106).

The Twins scored 14 runs in winning the first two games of the series but were held to three hits Wednesday with Eddie Rosario providing two as he's 8-for-19 in his last four contests. The Royals are nearing their second consecutive 100-loss campaign after a 1-0 setback in 11 innings at Oakland on Wednesday. Kansas City designated hitter Jorge Soler is tied for the AL lead of 45 home runs with Mike Trout and 24 have come against the AL Central, but only three versus Minnesota. The Twins' Kyle Gibson yielded one of those long balls as he takes the mound Thursday opposite Mike Montgomery, who has struggled on the road this season.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Mike Montgomery (3-9, 4.70 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (13-7, 4.76)

Montgomery has made 11 straight starts since being acquired from Chicago after working exclusively out of the bullpen (20 games) for the Cubs but is 0-4 in his last five turns. The 30-year-old Californian is 1-5 with a 7.85 ERA in 17 road games (five starts) compared to 2-4, 2.17 in 14 home contests (six starts). Montgomery is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in three games (two starts) against Minnesota.

Gibson on Sunday made his second relief appearance of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) in one inning of the Twins' 7-5 loss at Cleveland. The 31-year-old Indiana native yielded six runs (five earned), eight hits (two home runs) and four walks in 4 2/3 innings of his last start - a 12-6 loss to Washington last Thursday. Kansas City's Adalberto Mondesi is 7-for-12 with a home run versus Gibson, who is 9-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 21 games (all starts) against the Royals - 2-0, 3.26 in three turns this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins OF Max Kepler (36 home runs) will likely miss his fifth straight game because of left shoulder soreness.

2. Royals 2B Whit Merrifield (major league-most 195 hits) has gone 0-for-4 in consecutive games after collecting two hits in each of his previous three contests.

3. Minnesota leads the season series 9-3, including 5-1 at Target Field.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2