Friday, April 18, 8:10 PM on FSN, FSKC

Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Minnesota - Nolasco, R (1-1) vs. Kansas City - Shields, J (0-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Ricky Nolasco and the Minnesota Twins will be looking to give James Shields his third loss of the season when they take on the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Ricky Nolasco needed to have a bounce-back start and he got one against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday to pick up his first win of the season. He allowed just one earned run on five hits while striking out four and walking one in the outing. His ERA now sits at 5.50, but it should continue to drop if he has the same type of success against the Royals again.

Nolasco has never given up a home run against any of the current Royals, but Nori Aoki is one player on their team who has done pretty well against him. Aoki has faced Nolasco 12 times in his career and has three hits, including one double, and a walk against the right-hander.

James Shields has pitched well enough to pick up at least two wins so far this season, but he hasn't gotten much help from his offense and is now 0-2. In his last start, he had problems making up for his defense's mistakes and ended up giving up seven runs against the Minnesota Twins, but only one of them was earned. He went 5.2 innings in that game and struck out five and walked three.

Jason Kubel is the Twin with the most success against Shields. The outfielder has faced Shields 28 times in his career and has 10 hits, three walks and six strikeouts against him.

Minnesota Betting Trends

Minnesota is 11-2-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Minnesota is -0.2

Kansas City Betting Trends

Kansas City is 5-7-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City is -0.8

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota

04/11/14 LF Josh Willingham Wrist 15-day DL (4/7)
04/09/14 RF Oswaldo Arcia Wrist 15-day DL (4/5)
04/07/14 SS Jason Bartlett Ankle 15-day DL (4/7)

Kansas City

04/17/14 CF Lorenzo Cain Groin questionalbe
04/16/14 P Bruce Chen Back questionable
04/09/14 P Francisley Bueno Finger 15-day DL (4/7)
04/09/14 P Tim Collins Elbow 15-day DL (4/7)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Kansas City

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