The Minnesota Twins will look to cool off the Kansas City Royals, who are coming off of an unexpected three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, as the two teams square off in the first of a three-game series Friday night at Kauffmann Stadium.
The Twins will send right-hander Cole De Vries (3-5, 4.68 ERA) to the hill. De Vries is 1-3 in the month of August with a 6.28 ERA.
Left-hander Will Smith (4-6, 5.55 ERA) will toe the slab for the Royals. Smith has been battered a bit in his last two starts, posting an 8.31 ERA and allowing a 1.101 OPS to opposing hitters.
Minnesota Twins
- Darin Mastroianni CF
- Jamey Carroll 2B
- Josh Willingham DH
- Justin Morneau 1B
- Ryan Doumit C
- Chris Parmelee RF
- Trevor Plouffe 3B
- Matt Carson LF
- Pedro Florimon C
Kansas City Royals
- Lorenzo Cain CF
- Alcides Escobar SS
- Alex Gordon LF
- Billy Butler SS
- Salvador Perez C
- Mike Moustakas 3B
- Jeff Francoeur RF
- Eric Hosmer 1B
- Johnny Giavotella 2B
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT at Kauffmann Stadium.
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