Series preview: Twins at Kansas City

Last update: May 26, 2008 - 11:51 PM

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THREE-GAME SERIES AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM

Today, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Nick Blackburn (4-3, 3.55 ERA) vs. RHP Brian Bannister (4-6, 4.94)

Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Livan Hernandez (6-2, 4.22) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (5-2, 2.82)

Thursday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Kevin Slowey (1-4, 4.21 ERA) vs. RHP Luke Hochevar (3-4, 4.54)

TWINS UPDATE

Nick Punto (strained left hamstring) won't be ready to come off the disabled list for this series, Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. Punto played five innings and had six at-bats in an extended spring game Sunday, and the report said he was healthy but rusty. Punto's wife, Natalie, is due to give birth to the couple's first child Friday. Punto will continue his rehab in Florida this week, return to Minnesota for the birth and could be activated this weekend. ... Scott Baker (strained right groin) pitched five pain-free innings in an extended spring training game Monday, giving up one run on four hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. He will make another extended spring start Saturday.

ROYALS UPDATE

It's been an up-and-down season for the Royals. They have lost eight games in a row, but before this skid they went 6-1 in a stretch against Baltimore, Detroit and Florida. The Twins are 4-2 vs. KC this year, but these pitching matchups could be tough. Brian Bannister tossed a three-hit complete game against the Twins on April 13. Greinke is 2-3 with a 3.65 ERA for his career vs. Minnesota, and Hochevar, whom the Twins never have faced, signed a four-year, $5.3 million contract after getting picked No. 1 overall in the 2006 draft.

JOE CHRISTENSEN