Twins-Kansas City series preview
Tuesday, 6:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Jose Berrios (2-7, 8.88 ERA) vs. RHP Ian Kennedy (11-10, 3.64)
Wednesday 6:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Ervin Santana (7-11, 3.37) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 3.86)
Thursday 6:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Kyle Gibson (6-11, 5.04) vs. LHP Danny Duffy (12-3, 3.43)
TWINS UPDATE
The Twins are 3-13 vs. the Royals this season, including 0-7 at Kauffman Stadium. The Twins have never gone winless at Kansas City over a season series. … After going 15-11 in July, the Twins are 16-36, clinching the majors' worst record with their 100th loss of the season Sunday. …Max Kepler's home run Sunday against Seattle was his first since Aug. 31 at Cleveland and his first at home since July 28 against Baltimore. … Robbie Grossman on Sunday had his seventh three-hit game of the season. … Byron Buxton's 10 steals tie him with Chicago's Tim Anderson for the major league lead among rookies. … Nine of Miguel Sano's past 13 hits have been for extra bases (four doubles, four home runs and one triple). …Several injured players, such as Trevor Plouffe, Eddie Rosario and Danny Santana, and heading to their offseason homes early this week.
ROYALS UPDATE
The Royals are on the verge of being eliminated from postseason contention, but they still can finish above .500 for the fourth consecutive season. If they sweep a Twins team they have dominated for years, they will reach 82 victories. … Kennedy gave up 10 hits and three runs over 5⅔ innings Wednesday in a loss to Cleveland, so he will be happy to see Twins players digging in against him. Kennedy is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA vs. the Twins this season. … Since beating the Twins 2-1 on Aug. 21 to improve to 11-1, Duffy is 1-2 with a 6.49 ERA, and the Royals are 1-5 in his starts. … The Royals have been bitten by the injury bug all season, but young players such as Cheslor Cuthbert and Whit Merrifield took advantage of the playing time to make cases for themselves. The two infielders give the Royals more options for the future.
La VELLE E. NEAL III
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The Twins, who have scored more than four runs just once in their last nine games, were shut out for the ninth time this season.