Royals vs Twins predictions
When you look at the Kansas City Royals lineup heading into game 2, there’s every reason to expect their offensive core to keep things interesting. Maikel Garcia is red-hot at the plate and I like his chances of tacking on at least a hit or two, maybe even cashing in an RBI if the lineup clicks. Bobby Witt Jr. brings such dynamism, always a threat to get on base and swipe a bag—imagine him energizing the top of the order and turning a simple single into a quick scoring opportunity. Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino should bring the thunder as well, both with the pop to shift momentum with one swing. On the mound, Michael Wacha is the guy the Royals want for a bounce-back start; if he’s on, expect around five quality innings and a handful of strikeouts, keeping the Royals firmly in the mix.
Switching things over to the Minnesota Twins, there’s a lot to like about their lineup for this matchup at Target Field. Ryan Jeffers has been steady behind the plate and you can practically pencil him in for a multi-hit game if the Royals’ pitching isn’t sharp. Then there’s Willi Castro, whose combination of speed and contact ability gives the Twins a real shot at stringing together big innings—don’t be surprised if he swipes a base and scores a run or two. Trevor Larnach is another name to keep an eye on: he’s shown some real power this season and could be the spark the Twins need in the middle innings. For pitching, Zebby Matthews steps in with plenty of upside; I’d say he could easily notch five-plus strikeouts and keep the game tight through his five or six innings of work.
With both teams boasting almost identical records and a ton of talent, it’s not an easy call. But Minnesota’s strength at home—plus some favorable matchups against Kansas City’s pitching—has me leaning toward the Twins taking game 2. The hometown crowd at Target Field and a deep, balanced lineup should give them just enough of an edge. Of course, anything can happen in baseball, but if you’re looking for a slight favorite in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested series, Minnesota looks like the safer bet to come out on top.
