The Twins' arrival to the City of Fountains couldn't come at a more interesting time in recent Royals history.
Kansas City is still seething from a weekend series against the A's during which batters were hit, infielders were taken out with sliders, warnings were issued and players ejected. Royals fans howled on local talk show stations about how their players got the raw end of the seal.
Kansas City rolled to the World Series last season, but they feel that they aren't receiving the respect they deserve.
The Royals have gotten into a spat with the opposing team in every series they have played this season - except the one against the Twins in Target Field. And the Royals have won every series they have played in this year - except the one in Target Field.
The Royals also are injured. Omar Infante is out. Greg Holland is out. Alex Rios, courtesy of a J.R. Graham fastball, is out. The hope is that Alcides Escobar can return to play after being taken out by a big Jed Lawrie slide over the weekend.
And there could be suspensions handed out following Sunday's encounters with the A's. Stay tuned.
Royals killer Kyle Gibson is on the mound tonight. Gibson is 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four starts against them. In his only start at Kauffman Stadium, Gibson threw seven shutout innings. And Gibson beat Edinson Volquez 3-1 last week at Target Field.
This is the first of a six-game road trip for the Twins. After three here in Kansas City, the Twins head over to Seattle to face the Mariners in a weekend series at Safeco Field.
