Twins vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 1, 2023

March 31, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Minnesota Twins will take the field against the Kansas City Royals (0-1) on Saturday. The game begins at 4:10 PM ET on BSKC, with the Twins listed as -161 favorites on the moneyline.

Sonny Gray starts for Minnesota while Jordan Lyles is Kansas City’s starter for the contest.

Twins vs. Royals Odds

Twins odds to win: -161
Royals odds to win: +138
Spread: Twins -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023
Time: 4:10 PM ET
TV: BSKC

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Who Will Win Twins vs. Royals?

Twins and Royals Betting Trends (2022)

The Twins finished 55-36 in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 60.4% of those games).

When it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -161 or shorter last year, Minnesota had a record of 24-10 (70.6%).

The Royals won 52, or 38.8%, of the 134 games they played as underdogs last season.

Kansas City had a record of 20-49, a 29% win rate, when it was set as the underdog by +138 or more by bookmakers last season.

The Twins played in 161 games with an over/under set, and combined with their opponents to go over the total 73 times (73-76-12).

Games involving the Royals went over the total set by oddsmakers in 81 of 161 chances last season.

Twins Stats & Insights (2022)

Last season the Twins were the 17th-highest scoring team in MLB action averaging 4.3 runs per game (696 total).

Minnesota averaged 1.1 home runs per game to rank 13th in the majors with 178 total home runs last season.

The Twins had the 11th-ranked batting average in MLB (.248).

The team struck out 8.4 times per game, the No. 12 mark in baseball.

The 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Twins pitching staff last season ranked 20th in MLB.

Minnesota’s 3.98 team ERA ranked 19th among all MLB pitching staffs.

Royals Stats & Insights (2022)

The Royals scored the 24th-most runs in the league last season with 640 (4.0 per game).

Kansas City hit just 138 homers last season, which ranked 26th in the league.

The Royals’ .244 batting average ranked 14th in the majors last season.

Kansas City showed patience at the plate last season, having the eighth-best rate of strikeouts per game (7.9) among MLB offenses.

The Royals had a 7.6 K/9 last season as a pitching staff, which ranked 25th in the majors.

Kansas City pitchers had a combined ERA of 4.72 last year, which ranked 27th in MLB.

Twins Key Players to Watch (2022)

Gray will make his first start of the season for the Twins.

Carlos Correa finished last season with a .291 batting average while adding 22 home runs and 64 RBI.

Kyle Farmer was a key run producer with a .253 average, 14 homers and 78 RBI.

Jose Miranda finished last season with 15 home runs, 66 RBI and a batting average of .268.

Max Kepler collected 88 hits, posted an OBP of .320 and a .348 SLG.

Royals Key Players to Watch (2022)

The Royals will send Lyles to the mound for his first start this season.

Bobby Witt Jr. had a batting average of .254 with 80 runs batted in last season.

Salvador Perez powered out 23 home runs a season ago while slugging .465.

MJ Melendez hit .217 last season with 21 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs and 67 walks.

Hunter Dozier had 26 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 34 walks while hitting .236.

Twins and Royals Injuries

Twins: Jorge Polanco: 10 Day IL (Knee), Gilberto Celestino: 10 Day IL (Thumb), Alex Kirilloff: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Josh Winder: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Ronny Henriquez: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chris Paddack: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Royce Lewis: 60 Day IL (Knee)

Royals: Drew Waters: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Daniel Lynch: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Jake Brentz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Angel Zerpa: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Diego Hernandez: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)