Series preview: Kansas City at Twins

LHP Danny Duffy (7-10, 2.57) vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-7, 5.90)

RHP Yordano Ventura (9-8, 3.45) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (12-8, 3.88)

RHP Jeremy Guthrie (8-10, 4.45) vs. LHP Tommy Milone (6-3, 3.52)

LHP Jason Vargas (9-5, 3.27) vs. RHP Trevor May (0-1, 12.46)

They are 25-30 at home but just 6-13 there since June 30. They have played only two games in Target Field over the past 18 days but now play 11 games there in the next 10 days. … Of their remaining 43 games, 32 are against their AL Central rivals against whom they are 23-21 — better than every division team but Detroit (24-21). … They are 6-6 against the Royals this year, 4-2 at home. … Ricky Nolasco makes his first start since July 6, when he lasted only two inning against the Yankees. He was diagnosed with a strained elbow the next day and placed on the disabled list. Nolasco is 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA against KC this year. … 3B Trevor Plouffe is batting only .217 against the Royals this year.

They have charged into first place in the AL Central by going 18-4 over the past three weeks, outscoring the opposition 99-68 during that time. Kansas City has no games left with teams that currently own a better record. They are 12 games above .500 for the first time since July 20, 2003. … They are 33-26 on the road and have won seven of their past eight. This is their first stop on a nine-game trip that also will take them to Colorado and Texas. … DH Josh Willingham, acquired from the Twins on Monday, is 2-for-10 with four strikeouts in three games with the Royals. … They lead the AL in stolen bases with 106. … RHP Wade Davis has not allowed a run in 18⅔ innings, dating back to June 25, the longest current streak in the majors. Davis has allowed one extra-base hit this season in 51 innings — a pinch-hit double by Kurt Suzuki on July 31.

Phil Miller