Saturday, April 19, 2:10 PM on FSN, FSKC

Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Minnesota - Correia, K (0-1) vs. Kansas City - Chen, B (0-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, Kevin Correia will take the hill for the Minnesota Twins as they take on Bruce Chen and the Kansas City Royals.   Correia will be making his 4th start as Chen makes his 3rd.

Kevin Correia has given the Twins some quality innings despite his 0 – 1 record and his 5.30 ERA.  In his last start, which was against the Royals, he gave up 3 runs on 6 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts in 7 innings of work.  He didn’t get the decision but it was still a good start.  Last season, Correia posted a 9 – 13 record with an ERA of 4.18 in 31 starts. 

In 2013, Correia was 0 – 2 with an ERA of 5.27 in 5 starts against Kansas City.  He just faced the Royals less than a week ago so he should still have an idea of what the Kansas City lineup will show him.  The Royals’ Mike Moustakas is 6 of 13 against Correia with 3 doubles and 2 RBIs.           

Bruce Chen might not be 100% for this start after missing his scheduled start on Thursday due to left glute muscle tightness.   The injury could have been the reason that Chen was lit up in his last outing when he gave up 6 runs on 7 hits in just 3.2 innings.   Chen threw 87 pitches in that short start against the same Minnesota Twins that he will face on Saturday.  In 2013, Chen was 9 - 4 with an ERA of 3.27 in 15 starts and 19 relief appearances. 

Last season, Chen was strong against the Twins in 4 appearances with 1 start.  He had a record of 1 - 0 with an ERA of 0.71.  Chen allowed a run on 12 hits in 12.2 innings.    He will need to pitch carefully to Minnesota’s Jason Kubel.  Kubel is 7 of 16 with a triple, a homer and 2 RBIs. 

Minnesota Betting Trends

Minnesota is 12-3-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Minnesota is +0.5

Kansas City Betting Trends

Kansas City is 5-8-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City is -0.4

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

04/18/14 CF Jarrod Dyson Personal out indefinitely
04/18/14 CF Lorenzo Cain Groin 15-day DL (4/17)
04/17/14 P Bruce Chen Back questionable next start
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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