Pitching in KC

[Paul Pleiss]

The Twins head to KC after an off-day to take on the first place Royals (!!?!) with the following matchups scheduled

 

Ricky Nolasco v Danny Duffy (8-11, 2.53 ERA)

 

Phil Hughes v Yordano Ventura (10-9, 3.40 ERA)

 

Tommy Milone v Jeremy Guthrie (10-10, 4.32 ERA)

 

Do the Twins have a chance to take the series? They face Duffy, Ventura and Guthrie for the 2nd time in the last 2 weeks, a combination that resulted in 2 wins and a loss for the Royals when they visited Minnesota.

 

Nolasco has been a wreck all season, all I want from him is pain-free innings so he can come back next year and perform. I don't think he can keep KC in check, nor do I expect the Twins offense to continue scoring a million billion runs every night.

 

Phil Hughes represents a real chance at a victory every time he takes the mound, he walks no one and even misses some bats, something other Twins pitchers should take note of (it's allowed, even encouraged fellas!). If the Twins bats can muster a couple of runs Hughes may very well be able to quiet the fans in KC and allow the Twins a chance at a series victory.

 

Tommy Milone, who gave up 6 runs in 1.1 to these same Royals a short 10 days ago, will try to redeem himself under considerably dryer conditions. Guthrie hasn't been great and strugged in his last outing against the Twins, giving up 5 runs but still earned a victory thanks to a rain-soaked 7 run 2nd inning. I think Tommy pitches considerably better in KC, but that the Royals keep on Royalsing and take the series 2-1.

 

How's that for optomism?

 

What are your keys to the series?

 

 

[iTwins]

Sorted in order of my confidence in each prediction:

 

I like the Hughes / Ventura matchup. Hughes holds the Royals (and most everyone else) in check and the Twins haven't really had issues with Ventura this year.

 

Nolasco / Duffy - advantage Royals until Nolasco can prove otherwise. I'm hoping Nolasco goes at least 6 innings, limits the Royals to two runs and shows flashes of being a reliable "middle of the rotation" pitcher. The Twins (and us fans) need SOMETHING to cling to RE: Nolasco heading into the offseason. A few good starts will go a long way. Regardless, I think he takes the loss here.

 

Milone / Guthrie - I liked this matchup in Minnesota a week ago (until the rains came) and I still feel good about it. I can see where Milone could be a great back of the rotation arm. When he hits his spots, he's tough to do much against. The issue is - when he runs out of gas, it seems to happen FAST. The Twins can (and should) hit Guthrie pretty well, so if Milone can put 6 good innings together, I like their chances.

 

I'm feeling a 2-1 Twins series win

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

To see if Alex Gordon continues his good luck in left field positioning vs Joe Mauer. Whether Moustakas gives us free runs with his glove or delivers big hits against us. Can we hit off the KC bullpen. But, I'm hoping for Kansas City to win the division so maybe a conflict of interest here.