Kansas City Royals vs Minnesota Twins Prediction: Both sides eye a strong regular season start

In their season opener on Thursday night, the Minnesota Twins (0-0) will aim to start their campaign with a victory as they take on the Kansas City Royals (0-0). The game is set to be held at Kauffman Stadium and will kick off at 23:10.

The Kansas City Royals concluded last season with a record of 56-106, but they made significant efforts to bolster their team during the offseason. They made notable acquisitions, including starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, both of whom are expected to make substantial contributions this season. Additionally, power-hitting outfielder Hunter Renfroe has joined the team, adding strength to their lineup. Furthermore, they secured Bobby Witt Jr. with a long-term contract, further solidifying their roster.

Taking the mound for the Royals will be Cole Ragans, who posted a 5-2 record with an ERA of 2.64 for the team last season. Notably, the home team has emerged victorious in each of the last seven games between the Minnesota Twins and the Royals. Additionally, the Royals have covered the run line in their last six games as home underdogs against American League Central opponents. Moreover, they have won the first inning in four of their last five games as home underdogs.

The Minnesota Twins clinched the American League Central title last season, largely due to playing in the least competitive division in baseball. They were the sole team in the division to finish the season with a winning record.

Last season, Minnesota averaged 4.74 runs per game, with their batting average ranking 21st in the league at .243. Their .326 on-base percentage placed them 12th, while their .427 slugging percentage ranked seventh.

Heading into the new season, the Twins aim to defend their division title, but they anticipate tougher competition as other teams in the division have improved during the offseason. Although the Twins didn't make significant moves during the offseason, they lost key players in their rotation, including Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda, and brought in Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Topa, and Jay Jackson as replacements. Additionally, they signed Carlos Santana to fill the void left by Joey Gallo's departure, while also relying on their young talent to make substantial contributions this season.

Despite being on the road, the Minnesota Twins are poised to emerge victorious in this matchup. With Pablo Lopez leading the pitching lineup and boasting a superior roster compared to the Kansas City Royals, the Twins hold a clear advantage. Additionally, the Twins possess one of the top bullpens in baseball, which is expected to secure the win towards the end of the game. Anticipate a closely contested game, possibly ending with a scoreline of 3-1 or 4-2 in favor of the Twins, marking their season opener with a 1-0 start. Furthermore, I'm placing a wager on the Minnesota Twins to cover the run line.