Kansas City Royals Vs. Minnesota Twins Tonight at 8:10PM

While the Minnesota Twins started with a slow start this season they entered the All-Star break just 6 1/2 games back from the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central lead having won 9 out of 12 recent performances including three of four versus the Chicago White Sox and tonight they’ll attempt to keep that winning momentum alive when they return to the mound against the Kansas City Royals.

Speaking to the press about his 0-for-1 All-Star game performance Cuddyer said of the division:

“It’s just the nature of this division, everybody beats everybody up,” while adding, “When it’s all said and done, hopefully we are where we set out to be.”

The Minnesota Twins will have Francisco Liriano on the mound for tonight’s game, Liriano has a 5.06 ERA in 15 starts this season including a no-hitter on May 3 against the White Sox but couldn’t grab a decision in his last outing, a 12-5 loss against Tampa Bay last Wednesday in which he gave up five runs on six hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

The Twins have their work cut out for them with Kansas City losing 15 of their last 21 games including a 2-1 loss against the Tigers during Sunday’s series finale.

The Royals will send Bruce Chen to the mound on Thursday, he’s delivered a 3.26 ERA on the season with a 5-2 record in 10 starts including a one-run ball in a 4-1 victory over the White Sox last Wednesday

The Royals will be looking for revenge after the Twins swept the club from June 2-5 at Kauffman Stadium.