We’re kicking off a limited Thursday MLB slate with some AL Central action, as the Minnesota Twins take on the Kansas City Royals. After disappointing 2025 seasons, can either of these clubs take a step forward?
First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET. The Royals are sturdy -156 moneyline favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, while a Twins upset is priced at +129. The game total is set at O/U nine runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Twins-Royals game.
Twins vs. Royals Preview
First things first, let’s learn a bit more about these starting pitchers.
Taj Bradley steps to the mound for the Twins. Their prize-get from last year’s deadline sale, Bradley had a rough 2025. Between the Rays and Twins, he posted a 5.05 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 27 starts. The 25-year-old has a live arm, hitting 96 mph on his four-seamer and 90 mph with his cutter. But he has a lot to figure out: too many walks, not enough whiffs, and more hard contact than you’d like to see.
But his first outing of the year brought some positive signs. Bradley struck out nine batters over 4.1 innings, scattering three hits, three walks, and one earned run in a 4-1 win over the Orioles. If the strikeout can be more of a weapon, he can get out of the jams he creates with much more ease. Let’s see if he can put out a second straight positive start.
Opposite him will be Royals left-hander Cole Ragans. He started his Royals career on fire, posting a clean 3.00 ERA over his first 44 starts for the team. He earned an All-Star nod and finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2024. Then came the injuries: a strained rotator cuff cost him most of the 2025 campaign after he struggled through 13 starts. He was healthy to start this season, but failed to get going in his first start. While he struck out five, Ragans got clobbered for four earned runs on six hits and four walks. It’s not what you want to see when questions about your comeback potential are in the air.
The lineups have serious questions. Both teams were below average in 2025 and are counting on internal development to carry them. Minnesota is hoping players like Luke Keaschall, Austin Martin, and Matt Wallner can supplement Byron Buxton’s production. A healthy year from Royce Lewis wouldn’t hurt, either. Kansas City has a strong top of the lineup between Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and superstar Bobby Witt Jr., but the rest of the order has been a question for some time. Who else can step up?
Now we know these teams a bit better. What is the best way to bet on this one?
Twins vs. Royals Pick, Best Bet
The Royals are certainly the better team. Cole Ragans has more name value than Taj Bradley. However, there are signs he is an entirely new pitcher. The addition of a splitter and an increase in overall stuff metrics indicate a breakout could be near. Unfortunately for Ragans, no such positive indicators are present. The potential disparity between these two is enough for me to ride with the Twins as road underdogs.
