The Minnesota Twins, dominating baseball in May, are set to conclude their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon as they pursue a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals at home in Minneapolis. To achieve this against one of the season’s top pitchers, the Twins will rely on Bailey Ober leading the effort on the mound.
Recent Wins Fuel Twins’ Momentum
Minnesota has surged recently, winning 16 of their last 18 games, including dramatic victories over the Royals in the first two games of the series. Both wins came on walk-off hits, with Brooks Lee delivering a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning on Saturday, sealing a 5-4 comeback win despite trailing by four runs late in the game. On Friday, after Kansas City held a 1-0 lead following the first inning, Ty France’s two-run homer in the ninth inning earned the Twins a 3-1 walk-off victory.
Royals Manager Reacts to Back-to-Back Losses
Following the Saturday loss, Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro expressed frustration over the consecutive walk-offs. He stated,
“Frustrating, yeah, I mean there’s no doubt,”
and added,
“We’re competing like crazy, and you want to come out on top of these games. … To get walked off both days in a row, it’s really a gut punch.”
Bailey Ober Set to Start for Twins
The Twins will turn to right-hander Bailey Ober, who holds a 4-1 record with a 3.68 ERA this season, as their starter on Sunday. Ober recently received a no-decision in his last outing against the Cleveland Guardians, pitching three innings and allowing one run before the game was suspended due to rain. Despite struggles against Kansas City in the past, where he is 0-4 in 11 starts with a 5.90 ERA, Ober showed promise on April 10 by allowing just one run into the seventh inning in a no-decision loss.
Royals Depend on Kris Bubic to Halt Twins’ Surge
The Royals will counter with Kris Bubic, who hopes to build on his strong 5-2 record and 1.47 ERA to stop the Twins’ momentum. At 27 years old, Bubic has faced challenges against Minnesota, posting a 1-5 record with a 5.27 ERA, and allowing a .333 batting average with a high slugging and on-base percentage across 10 appearances.
Strong Bullpen Performance Fuels Twins This Weekend
Minnesota’s bullpen has been instrumental in the series, allowing just two runs over 8 1/3 innings while striking out 10 batters. Most of the damage occurred in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game, where the Royals recorded four of their seven hits and both runs. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli reflected on the team’s resilience, noting,
“If you give yourself a chance by keeping it close, things can work out,”
and added,
“We’re confident offensively. Even if we’re not rolling, we still feel like we’re about to get rolling.”
Team Overcomes Absences and Injuries
The Twins have maintained their winning form despite missing star hitter Byron Buxton, who has been sidelined since May 15 after a concussion from a collision with teammate Carlos Correa. Correa has since returned to the lineup, contributing significantly by hitting a tying homer on Friday and scoring the winning run on Saturday after reaching base on a pinch-hit walk to lead off the ninth inning.
Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino Shows Hitting Improvement
Kansas City’s first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has seen an uptick in his batting average, rising 24 points since May 16 to .244. He is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak and has recorded five hits in eight at-bats during this series while contributing two runs and an RBI.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Final Game
Sunday’s contest will be crucial as the Twins strive to complete a series sweep, continuing their strong performance at home. With Bailey Ober pitching for Minnesota and Kris Bubic taking the mound for Kansas City, fans can expect a competitive battle. The result could further define the trajectory of both teams within the American League Central race, making this matchup an important test of pitching and resilience for both sides.