The Twins start a three-game series with Kansas City tonight (7:10, BSN-Plus) at Target Field, with Randy Dobnak trying to extend the home team's four-game win streak.
Lefthander Kris Bubic (0-0, 1.52 ERA) will face Dobnak (1-3, 5.75), and the Twins will use their righthanded-hitting lineup with Kyle Garlick leading off.
Max Kepler, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue, is not in the lineup. Manager Rocco Baldelli said the team is playing Kepler occasionally and hopes he'll gradually recover, but Kepler is the center fielder when Byron Buxton (hip flexor) is out, and because of the injury, Kepler can't patrol center, which is a concern.
Hunter Dozier comes off the injured list to play right field for Kansas City. He suffered a concussion in a scary collision with Jose Abreu of the White Sox two weeks ago.
ROYALS LINEUP
Whit Merrifield, 2B
Carlos Santana, C
Andrew Benintendi, LF
