Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
As the Minnesota Twins visit the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon, they will hope for better results from their typically reliable bullpen. After leading the Royals 2-0 in the eighth inning on Saturday, the Twins saw their lead slip away as Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax struggled on the mound, resulting in a 4-2 loss for Minnesota.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli expressed his disappointment in the bullpen's performance, stating that they had a two-run lead with their best relievers ready to go. However, Duran and Jax were unable to hold off the Royals' offense, resulting in the Twins' fourth loss in their last nine games.
The recent struggles of the Twins' bullpen have been a contributing factor to their recent slide, as they have allowed 22 runs after the sixth inning in their last 13 games. This has caused them to fall behind the Royals in the American League Central standings and puts them five games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians.
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Despite having the second-best opponent OPS in the seventh inning or later, the Twins have struggled to hold onto leads in the late innings. They have a record of 58-4 when leading after seven innings, but two of their recent losses have occurred in this situation.
Baldelli emphasized the frustration of losing a game after having a two-run lead in the eighth inning, stating that it should be a guaranteed win. The Twins' offense has also been struggling, with only 11 runs scored in their last five games. In contrast, the Royals have the second-highest number of comeback wins in the majors, making it difficult for the Twins to maintain their lead.
On Sunday, right-handers Simeon Woods Richardson and Michael Wacha are scheduled to take the mound for the final game of the series. Woods Richardson, one of three rookies in the Twins' rotation, has a 2-0 record with a 4.91 ERA in his last four starts. However, he has not pitched past the fifth inning in any of these outings.
In his lone start against the Royals on May 28, Woods Richardson allowed two runs in five innings, earning the win for the Twins. On the other hand, Wacha has a strong track record against the Twins, with a 4-1 record and a 3.67 ERA in six career starts against them. In his most recent start, he took his first loss since June, but still has a 7-1 record and a 2.92 ERA in his last 12 starts.
Interim manager Paul Hoover will be leading the Royals in place of manager Matt Quatraro, who is away for personal reasons. Hoover praised Wacha's performance in his last outing, despite the two-run homer he gave up to Lane Thomas. Wacha also acknowledged that he was pitching well until the fifth inning, when he made a mistake with his cutter that resulted in the home run.
The Twins will be looking to avoid a sweep by the Royals on Sunday and get back on track in the AL Central standings. With the Royals currently holding the second wild-card spot and the Twins in third, this game could have significant implications for the postseason race.
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Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Recap SEP 8TH 2024
Michael Wacha delivered seven shutout innings as the Kansas City Royals got past the visiting Minnesota Twins 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, completing a three-game weekend sweep.
Despite allowing two hits and a walk in a difficult first inning, Wacha escaped unscathed when right-fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out Jos? Miranda trying to score on Trevor Larnach's double.
Wacha (12-7) faced the minimum thereafter to earn his 100th career victory in his 12th season. He allowed four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts and has allowed three runs or less in 17 of his last 19 starts, going 11-3 in that span.
MJ Melendez walked and Freddy Fermin singled to open the Royals' fifth inning. Unable to execute a sacrifice bunt, Maikel Garcia slapped an infield single to second, loading the bases, and Garrett Hampson followed with a sacrifice fly to left, breaking the scoreless tie.
Tommy Pham walked to load the bases again and, with two out, Salvador Perez tapped an infield hit along the third base for a 2-0 lead. Three of the Royals' six hits came in the fifth inning, two of them infield hits.
Kris Bubic pitched a hitless eighth and Lucas Erceg had a strikeout in the ninth to earn his 11th save, and eighth with Kansas City.
The Royals completed their ninth sweep of the season, most in the American League, and have won four straight on the heels of a season-high seven-game losing streak.
Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. He has issued multiple walks in seven of his last eight starts.
Christian V?zquez had three singles for the Twins, who had five hits in the game and 14 for the series.
Minnesota was shut out for the 10th time and third in the last nine games.
Scoring two runs in the series and getting swept for the eighth time, the Twins (76-67) have lost five-of-six, falling 2 1/2 games behind the second-place Royals (79-65).