Let's Road Trip Twins 2025: Trip #2 - The Royal Mistreatment?

A one-town road trip doesn't usually swing the momentum too much one way or the other, but it can wear out a ballclub more quickly than its worth. This 872 mile round trip to Kansas City is the second divisional series of the young season, and it offers and extended look at the full rotation and offense that the Royals are bringing to the table in 2025.

Kansas City Royals - April 7-10
Kauffman Stadium - Capacity 37,903
2024 Attendance: 1,658,337 (Averaged 20,473, ranked 12th out of 15 AL parks, 26th overall MLB)

The Twins opened 2024 with two outstanding pitching performances at Kauffmann Stadium and two victories to start the season. They wouldn't taste victory in Kansas City again in 2024, dropping the final four contests and only scoring two more runs in the process (outscored 22-2!). The Royals and Twins have battled at Kauffman Stadium since 1973, and the head to head record matches the ups and downs that both franchises have experienced since then. In 408 games played at Kauffmann Stadium, the Twins have won 194, and lost 214. The Twins haven't won season's road battle with the Royals since 2019 in fact, and they will face a stiff task to reverse that trend in 2025.

Kauffman's first Season of use was 1973 (Royals Stadium) with artificial turf, renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1994 after the team's first owner.  Kentucky bluegrass replaced the turf in 1995.  Folks hoping to check this one off your bucket list better hurry up, as they still trying to work out a Target Field-style move to downtown with the city/county.

It has an open bowl format, and is southeast of Kansas City in a complex with the Kansas City Chiefs stadium. Parking is ample and easy, but spendy. The field has a beautiful outfield area, which reminded me of Fort Myers actually with its lack of seating and open boardwalk vibe.

Kauffman resides outside of the pace of Kansas City, so tour guides send a journeyer into town for BBQ and night life. There is still a hotel in walking distance to the park, but obviously many more places to stay in the metro area proper. Twins fans usually represent well at Kauffman, so you be brave and wear your gear! You'll probably also make a friend or two in the process. Let's just hope the Royals play as friendly...

From Kansas City the Twins journey back to Target Field for their first taste of the Tigers and three games with Juan Soto and the New York Mets. What kind of record will the Twins take home with them? How do you think this first trip to Kansas City will go?

Let's Road Trip is a series of stories exploring the Twins' 14 road trips during the 2025 season.  I will focus on stadium highlights, attributes, Twins history, and community amenities.  Potential pitfalls and roadblocks get considered, and travel considerations get mentioned.  My handy-dandy Baseball Road Trips by Timothy Malcolm and Moon travel guides will be a go-to for this conversation.