Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2019 ) Minnesota 4, Kansas City 3

The Minnesota Twins couldn't have picked a much better time to match their longest winning streak of the season as they try to build up all the confidence they can muster against a playoff opponent that has had their number for more than a decade. The Twins look to end the regular season with a seven-game winning streak as they seek a three-game sweep against the host the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Minnesota (101-60) moved within one victory of tying the franchise's single-season record set in 1965 on the strength of Nelson Cruz's tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning of Saturday's 4-3 triumph. The Twins found out less than 24 hours earlier that their postseason journey would begin next Friday against the New York Yankees, who have bounced Minnesota from the postseason in five of its last six trips dating back to 2003. The Royals do not have nearly as much at stake, although a win on Sunday would be meaningful as Ned Yost manages his final game after 10 years with the club. Kansas City's Jorge Soler slugged a pair of homers on Saturday to increase his season total to an AL-best 47, tying Rafael Palmeiro for the most homers in a season by a Cuban-born player.

TV: 3:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Martin Perez (10-7, 5.13 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (4-9, 6.35)

Perez will attempt to wrap up his regular season on a high note after giving up 13 runs and 24 hits across 12 innings in his last three starts. The 28-year-old is only 0-1 over that stretch and was fortunate to come away with a no-decision last Sunday against Kansas City after surrendering five runs in 2 1/3 frames. Whit Merrifield (6-for-14) and Hunter Dozier (3-for-8, two home runs) have fared well against Perez, who is 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA in four starts versus Kansas City this season.

Lopez was unable to take advantage of Perez's poor outing last Sunday, taking the loss at Minnesota after getting pummeled for seven runs - including a pair of homers - over 2 1/3 innings. The effort came on the heels of a three-game stretch during which the Puerto Rican went 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA - all on the road. Miguel Sano (3-for-8) and Cruz (3-for-5) both have hit two home runs off Lopez, who is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in four appearances (one start) in 2019 versus the Twins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cruz is batting .371 with nine homers and 28 RBIs in 16 games against Kansas City this year.

2. With the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (45 homers) injured and the next-closest AL hitter (Cruz and Houston's Alex Bregman) sitting at 41, Soler is set to become the first league home-run champion in team history.

3. With a victory on Sunday, Minnesota's Rocco Baldelli will tie Cincinnati's Sparky Anderson (1970) for the fourth-most wins by a rookie manager in major-league history.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, Royals 5