Baseball bettors look for value at Target Field on Thursday as host Minnesota battles the Kansas City Royals in baseball odds action.

Kansas City puts its faith in starter James Shields to earn a win and boost his personal mark of 5-7. Getting the ball for the Twins is Scott Diamond, who owns a 5-9 record on the season with a 5.26 ERA.



View Kansas City vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Those going with the Twins in this one found them listed as moneyline underdogs of +112 at Sportsbook for Monday's contest. The total was hovering near 8.5 at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings:
This game matches up the No. 14 (Twins) and the No. 3 (Royals) teams in their respective leagues, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to getting on base, the visiting Royals rank No. 7 in the American League at 8.7 hits per game. That compares with Minnesota’s No. 12 ranking in that category.

Minnesota owns the American League's No. 12 defense, allowing 4.5 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Kansas City's American League No. 2-rated defense.

Kansas City won its last outing, a 4-3 result against the Twins on July 31. Bettors who backed the Royals at -112 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (7) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Kansas City rolled to a 4-3 win against Minnesota on Wednesday, as Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals' bats led the team to victory at Target Field.




Kansas City Royals Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing NY Mets are 3-3
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 8-2

Minnesota Twins Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Kansas City are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

A few Royals at Twins trends to consider:
Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas City's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Minnesota's last 18 games
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games at home


Next up:
Kansas City at NY Mets, Friday, August 2
Minnesota home to Houston, Friday, August 2