Twins vs Royals Pick: Sudden Contender Minnesota Visits Division Rival KC (May 24)

• Our Twins vs Royals pick dives into Minnesota and KC, who are basically tied (with the Guardians) for 2nd place in the AL Central
• Minnesota sends young Zebby Matthews to the hill; KC responds with veteran Michael Wacha
• A 13-game winning streak launched Minnesota into contention after an awful start
• KC is again in the middle of the playoff race, hoping to take another step after their 2024 jump to the ALDS

Zebby Matthews Heads to the Hill for Minnesota

It’s crazy to say it, and it’s probably circumstantial, but the Twins’ turnaround to becoming the hottest team in MLB started when they purchased Kody Clemens from the Phillies. As a Twin, Clemens has an OPS of over 1.000.

Obviously, given his career numbers with an OPS well below .700, he can’t maintain that.

For the second game of the series against the Royals, Zebby Matthews makes his second start since returning from the minors.

Matthews has made one start this season throwing 3 innings, giving up 5 hits, and 4 runs. In 2024, he was 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA, surrendering 51 hits in 37.2 innings, including 11 home runs. However, he was excellent this season at Triple A St. Paul, posting a 1.93 ERA in seven starts.

Matthews has faced the Royals before in his brief career. Michael Massey has hammered him with 5 hits in 6 at-bats, including a double and a home run. Bobby Witt Jr. is 1 for 6 with a single. Kyle Isbel is 1 for 3 with a single.

Minnesota’s offense is still inconsistent at best, but Carlos Correa has shown signs of life lately and Byron Buxton is back healthy.

Wacha Has Been Reliable for KC

The veteran righty Michael Wacha has been an anchor for the Royals, providing at least 5 innings in every start this season. He has a 2.86 ERA, has allowed 54 hits in 56.2 innings, and given up 18 earned runs. But for his second start of the season, Wacha has never surrendered more than 3 runs in any start in 2025.

For the Twins, Ty France is 11 for 22 against Wacha with 5 doubles and a home run. Ryan Jeffers is 1 for 6 with a home run. Correa is 1 for 16, but that hit was a home run. Harrison Bader is 4 for 13, all singles. Christian Vazquez is 7 for 13, all singles.

KC designated struggling Hunter Renfroe for assignment. Renfroe had a .182 batting average with no home runs and a .483 OPS. Witt is having another All-Star season with an OPS of well over .800. He’s stealing bases at a high rate of success and is playing excellent defense. KC is still waiting for Salvador Perez to hit with his customary power. Jonathan India has been bad with an OPS of around .640 and limited power.

Twins vs Royals Pick: KC Has a Profound Advantage on the Mound

Even though the Twins have been blazing hot, Jim Leyland used to say that momentum goes as far as the next day’s starting pitcher. Wacha has been very good and Matthews is trying to establish himself. Based on that, the Royals will take the win.