by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Where to watch: Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Kansas City
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Twins -150, Royals +130
BetMGM: Twins -140, Royals +110
Caesars: Twins -149, Royals +130
Season record
Twins: 24-16
Royals: 14-25
We're fresh into this baseball season and of course it's AAA Sports jumping out to an 34-19-0 run in Major League Baseball over the course of the last 30 days. An incredible start to the season. We've seen some exciting games and some awesome moments, but what will happen as we keep rolling through the month of May? Catch AAA's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Twins - Royals preview and analysis
Twins analysis
And with plenty of swings of the bat that sent many baseballs very high and very far, the Minnesota Twins are on a sudden winning surge after taking care of the Kansas City Royals again on Saturday with a chance to sweep them on Sunday.
The Twins won 9-2 and have suddenly found that combination of pitching and hitting that may make them a formidable contender down the road. Carlos Correa had two hits, as did Luis Arraez, as the Twins took an early lead and never looked back.
“We’re just clicking,” Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “We’re pitching very well, and now we are putting together the hits when we need them. We’ve had some guys come back [from injury] and we’re a scary team.”
Joe Ryan is one of those pitchers that's being asked to help the rotation, and so far, it's working out. He's improved to 5-2 by going 5.1 innings and striking out six. That ninth inning, where four runs came across the plate, busted the game open.
“With this ballpark and the way it’s playing, you’re not going to hit too many balls over the fence,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It’s a monstrous ballpark to start with. You are going to need to string together hits and move baserunners. Our entire lineup is contributing right now with those types of at-bats.”
Royals analysis
Brad Keller did enough for the Kansas City Royals to win. They just needed to do the one thing that we continue to harp on them for not doing enough: score runs.
Only two runs through seven innings, and Keller went seven innings of his own and giving up just four runs. Had he gotten so help, which was hard to come by as it has been. For as much talent as they have, the fact they have continued to be so underwhelming is such a problem and disappointing.
“I felt my stuff was pretty good tonight,” Keller said. “I didn’t use a four-seam until later on in the game, which is good. I really liked my slider tonight. I got some big outs on changeups as well, so I felt pretty good about my stuff.”
Andrew Benintendi definitely did his part, going 3-for-3 and continuing his hot season to move his average to .317. He was the only one that had a multi-hit game. If anything, it's just the fact he might be a top trade chip for a contender at some point.
“He threw well enough to give us a chance to win,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said of his starting pitcher. “Unfortunately, they had a couple two-out hits. And we always talk about that’s what we’re looking for, and we did have one opportunity in the sixth and couldn't get our big hit. He pitched good enough for us to win, and he’s done that numerous times for us this season.”
Prediction
When you get this deep into something, and how one-sided it is, it's hard not to think the Twins complete the sweep here. I have no doubt they can get it done.
Betting trends
Twins are 13-10 against right-handed starters this season.
Royals are 7-12 in May this month.
Projected lineup
Twins:
Byron Buxton (R) CF
Luis Arraez (L) 1B
Carlos Correa (R) SS
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Max Kepler (L) RF
Gary Sanchez (R) DH
Gio Urshela (R) 3B
Ryan Jeffers (R) C
Nick Gordon (L) LF
SP - Bailey Ober
Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) RF
Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
Hunter Dozier (R) 1B
MJ Melendez (L) DH
Emmanuel Rivera (R) 3B
Kyle Isbel (L) CF
Sebastian Rivero (R) C
Nicky Lopez (L) 2B
SP - Brady Singer
Statistical leaders
Twins:
Batting average: Max Kepler -- .259
Hits: Jorge Polanco -- 32
Home runs: Byron Buxton -- 11
RBI: Jorge Polanco -- 22
Wins: Joe Ryan -- 4
Saves: Emilio Pagan
ERA: N/A
Royals:
Batting average: Andrew Benintendi -- .306
Hits: Andrew Benintendi -- 41
Home runs: Salvador Perez -- 6
RBI: Three tied -- 16
Wins: Collin Snider -- 3
Saves: Scott Barlow -- 4
ERA: Brad Keller -- 2.89
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
