KANSAS CITY ROYALS -130 - This is a ?show me? type game for the red-hot Royals, as they are taking on the defending division champions. While I fully expect the Twins to eventually pass Kansas City in the standings en route to another division title, I do feel that the Royals will have the psychological advantage for this game. The Twins have to be emotionally bruised right now, as they were just blown away by the Yankees at home in an authoritative 4-game sweep in which Minnesota resembled deer in headlights. Now, all they have to do is face arguably the hottest pitcher in baseball in Hernandez, who enters this game with a miniscule 1.04 ERA and a remarkable ratio of 0.88 in 26 innings. Needless to say, all 4 of Hernandez?s have been Quality Starts, as he has yet to allow more than 2 earned runs in any outing. Rogers did toss 7 scoreless innings vs. the punchless Tigers in his last start, but he should find this Royals lineup much tougher. Kansas City is averaging 5.62 runs per game at home this season, and they are batting an excellent .288 as a team in this ball park. Rogers may be the crafty veteran among tonight?s starters, but I expect the Royals to scratch out more than enough runs to enable Hernandez to escape with another victory.
