Thursday, 7:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Tyler Duffey (8-8, 5.71 ERA) vs. RHP Dillon Gee (4-6, 4.78)

Friday, 7:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Jose Berrios (2-3, 9.32) vs. RHP Edinson Volquez (9-10, 4.95)

Saturday, 6:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Hector Santiago (10-7, 4.80) vs. RHP Ian Kennedy (7-9, 3,78)

Sunday, 1:15 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Ervin Santana (5-9, 3.62) vs. LHP Danny Duffy (10-1, 2.73)

TWINS UPDATE

The last time the Twins were in Kansas City they were swept in a three-game series during the first week of the season on their way to an 9-0 start. Of the players who on the Twins roster at that time, six have been traded or placed on waivers, three have been sent to the minors and three are on the disabled list. … 1B Joe Mauer is batting .406 against the Royals this season, but 2B Brian Dozier has done a lot of damage of his own. Dozier is batting .370 against Kansas City with five home runs and six RBI in eight games against them. … 3B Miguel Sano is 3-for-27 against the Royals, but two of those hits have been home runs. … Santiago will make his fourth start since being traded from the Angels, and he is 0-3 with a 9.42 ERA with the Twins.

ROYALS UPDATE

The Royals began Wednesday 10 games out of first place and 7½ games back in the AL wild-card race, but they continue to hold out hope that they can get back into contention. After winning two out of three at Target Field last weekend, they swept three games at Detroit, winning Wednesday after getting no-hit for six innings. The Royals are 11-5 in August as they play some of their best baseball of the season. … Duffy has taken over as the stud of the rotation, going 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA this month. He is scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday. … Kennedy has pitched at least six innings in four consecutive starts. … RHP Chris Young was demoted to the bullpen on July 10. In nine outings since then, Young has posted a 2.87 ERA and will now be used in more high-leverage situations.

la velle e. neal iii