The Minnesota Twins are set to face the Kansas City Royals in the final game of their three-game series on Thursday.
Kansas City has already clinched the series victory, winning both games played. Minnesota is looking to avoid a sweep after a slow start to their season.
Series So Far: Royals Dominate
The Kansas City Royals have won both games of the series against the Minnesota Twins. They are currently enjoying a three-game win streak. The Minnesota Twins, on the other hand, have lost three consecutive games and are yet to play a home game.
Pitching Matchup: Ragans vs. Bradley
Cole Ragans (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Kansas City Royals. Taj Bradley (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will take the mound for the Minnesota Twins.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Kansas City is listed as the -156 favourite on the money line. The over/under for total runs is set at 9.5. A computer model simulating the game 10,000 times projects that the total runs will be under 9.5.
The model suggests considering the Under, noting a 7-3 combined record for both teams regarding this bet in 2026. This trend is said to be a continuation from last season. The Royals have a 93-72-2 Under record since last year, and the Twins are at 85-75-7. The Royals have hit the Under at the second-highest percentage amongst AL teams over that span, while the Twins have seen the Under hit at the fifth-highest rate.
The model factors in the starting pitchers’ effectiveness when forecasting a lower-scoring game. Bradley allowed just 1 ER in his first start. Ragans has a 3.57 ERA since the 2023 season, and just a dozen pitchers in the AL have a lower ERA over that stretch (min. 300 IP). The model’s 10,000 simulations project 8.6 total runs being scored.
Looking Ahead
First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.