Expect To Struggling Offenses To Continue Tonight

Twins vs. Royals, 7:40 ET

It hasn't been the best start of the season for me. I'm not saying it has been bad. I've only put out two plays for Outkick so far, but both were losers. The first one I had Paul Skenes starting against the Mets and Freddy Peralta. I took the Pirates 1st five innings. The Pirates started hot, getting two runs in the top half of the first. It was downhill from there as Skenes didn't even finish a full inning of work. The other game saw the Rays up a bunch before a disaster inning did them in against the Cardinals. Let's hope that I can dodge that type of luck this season, and hopefully tonight, as the Twins take on the Royals. 

The Twins are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this season. They have somewhat lived up to that billing so far, starting the year 1-3. I suppose the schedule makers didn't really do any favors by having them start the year with six games on the road. Even with the losses, none of them have been embarrassing. In the season opener, the Orioles won the game 2-1. In the next loss, it was an 8-6 loss. Two days ago, when they last played, they lost 3-1 to the Royals. Three losses, all by two runs or fewer. The lone victory was 4-1 over the Orioles. Obviously, it is early, but the team is not hitting very well with just a .200 average. They are averaging three runs per game, but the pitching staff isn't allowing much more. They have one of their best arms going tonight as Joe Ryan takes the hill. Ryan was very solid in his 2026 debut. He didn't factor into the decision, but he struck out seven hitters and allowed just one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings. He's been great against the Royals in his career, holding them to a .191 batting average over 110 innings. Last season, he allowed six earned runs over 14 innings. 

Aug 1, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Royals were my pick to win the American League Central, and after four games, we definitely don't have a great sample size. However, let me just say, it doesn't look like a great start. They are 2-2 for the year, but their offense has been abysmal. They are hitting under .200 at .192 and have scored just nine runs this year. In their first two games, they allowed six runs in both games. They only scored two runs in those games. In the past two games, both wins, they've held their opponent to just one run and scored a total of seven themselves. It seems like that will probably be the recipe for success for the Royals. I don't expect them to have a ton of high-scoring games themselves. They will likely need to win a lot of games where they score only three or four runs. Tonight, they send out Noah Cameron to make his season debut. Last year, he was 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He was slightly better at home than on the road, but it wasn't a significant difference. He was great against the Twins, holding them to 10 hits over 12.1 innings and just one solo homer. 

I will be honest, I don't know much about Cameron - I don't think I bet on or against him all of last season. Ryan is a guy that I like to back because he gives the Twins a chance to win anytime he takes the mound. This game, though, is probably one that makes sense to take the obvious play. Both starters have good histories against their opponent, and currently, the production from both leaves a lot to be desired. The weather should be fine, but won't help push this to an over. Let's back the under 8.5. 

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024