All eyes forward, Twins look to bounce back after losing series to Astros at home.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN
Opposing Team’s site: Royals Review
The Minnesota Twins are in Kansas City for a four-game series against the 4-5 Royals. The Twins are returning to Kauffman Stadium where the team collapsed last September, getting swept and then ultimately missing the playoffs. This year, the team heads to Kauffman after a gut-wrenching finish to the Astros series, once being up by six runs in the game, but losing in extras. I was in attendance for it all – the KC collapse and Sunday’s whirlwind of emotions. I’m not going to Kansas City today, so maybe that will bring the team luck.
Let’s look at the lineups for Monday
TWINS
1. Matt Wallner (L) RF
2. Carlos Correa (R) SS
3. Byron Buxton (R) CF
4. Trevor Larnach (L) DH
5. Ty France (R) 1B
6. Jose Miranda (R) 3B
7. Willi Castro (S) 2B
8. Harrison Bader (R) LF
9. Christian Vázquez (R) C
Simeon Woods Richardson P
ROYALS
1. Jonathan India (R) 3B
2. Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino (L) 1B
4. Salvador Perez (R) C
5. Michael Massey (L) 2B
6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
7. MJ Melendez (L) LF
8. Maikel Garcia (R) DH
9. Kyle Isbel (L) CF
Michael Lorenzen P
The Minnesota Twins are coming off the team’s best offensive performance of the season. Leadoff batter Matt Wallner went 4-5 with two runs. Correa went 1-3 with two runs. Bader was 2-4 at the plate. The Twins saw production from every starter at the plate, Mickey Gasper was the only one who did not get a hit, but he did get walked and score in the 2nd. Unfortunately, the game ended in a loss.
To have a successful series against the Royals, the Twins will need to keep the bats going, but also better starting pitching. Right now Twins starters are worst in baseball with a 6.98 ERA.
Projected Twins Pitchers in Royals Series
RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
RHP Pablo López
RHP Joe Ryan
RHP Bailey Ober
The poor start to the season, mixed with April weather has garnered lower attendance for the Twins. Sunday was a beautiful day at the ballpark, but only 14,638 paid for a ticket to the game. Saturday’s numbers weren’t much better at 16,082. For the home opener though, 36,783 bought tickets.
The Twins will need to turn things around in Kansas City if they want fans to show up next weekend – which is forecasted to be beautiful – against the Tigers.