Royals Begin Key Series Against Twins After Comeback Win

The Kansas City Royals have struggled to capitalize on their extended homestand, but they still have a chance to finish strong. With postseason hopes alive, the Royals (71-69) open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, looking to gain ground in the American League wild-card race.

Kansas City dropped two of three to both Detroit and the Los Angeles Angels to start the nine-game stretch, but avoided a sweep Thursday with a 4-3 comeback win over Los Angeles, powered by four solo home runs. Carlos Estevez locked down his career-high 37th save to seal the victory. “Let’s just turn the page and keep attacking,” Estevez said. “We know that we have to keep winning games.”

Despite just five wins in their past 12 contests and only 14 runs scored across the last six, the Royals believe Thursday’s victory can spark momentum. “It’s a new day, a new opportunity. We’re in a good stretch here, gonna be playing some good ball,” said Bobby Witt Jr., whose eighth-inning blast proved decisive. Witt has cooled after an 18-game hitting streak, going 2-for-13 in his last four, while Salvador Perez is also scuffling but managed his 297th career homer Thursday.

Right-hander Michael Wacha (8-11, 3.52 ERA) takes the mound for Kansas City. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Detroit last weekend, but had gone 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his previous eight starts. Against Minnesota this season, he has posted a 5.23 ERA in two outings, though he owns a 5-1 career record and 3.48 ERA across nine starts versus the Twins.

Minnesota (62-78) has split its 10 games with Kansas City this year but has little left to play for after being swept at home by the last-place Chicago White Sox, surrendering 33 runs in four games. Some optimism comes with the reported return of Pablo Lopez (5-3, 2.82 ERA), who is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday after rehabbing a strained shoulder. Lopez has dominated Kansas City in his career, going 5-1 with a 2.16 ERA in eight starts.

The Twins may be without catcher Ryan Jeffers, who exited Thursday with a head contusion. Manager Rocco Baldelli said the team would evaluate Jeffers on Friday before determining his availability. Meanwhile, Trevor Larnach could be a factor—though just 2-for-10 lifetime against Wacha, he’s hitting .342 with five RBIs over his last six games.