Kansas City @ Minnesota preview

Kansas City at Minnesota

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2012 ) Minnesota 4, Kansas City 6

The Minnesota Twins attempt to extend their winning streak to four games Tuesday, when they begin a three-game series against the American League Central-rival Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Minnesota dropped the opener of their four-game set with Cleveland before reeling off three straight victories, including a 7-2 triumph Monday. Justin Morneau drove in a pair of runs, giving him 14 RBIs in his last 12 games, while Ryan Doumit hit his career-high 16th home run.

The Twins take on a Royals team that took two of three from the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field over the weekend. Kansas City had lost four of its previous five series, including a three-game home set against Minnesota at the beginning of the month during which the Twins won two of three. The Royals have struggled versus Minnesota this season, losing 10 of their 15 meetings.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Kansas City, Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Will Smith (4-7, 5.45 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (11-6, 3.35)

Smith has dropped three consecutive starts, including a loss to Minnesota on Sept. 1 in which he allowed three runs and nine hits over six innings. It was a far better outing for the 23-year-old rookie than his first career meeting with the Twins on June 4, when he yielded seven runs in 4 2/3 frames. Smith is 3-3 with a 4.97 ERA in seven road starts.

Diamond posted his first win in five starts last Tuesday despite allowing four runs in five innings at Chicago. The 26-year-old has yielded a total of nine runs over his last two outings after giving up 13 over his previous six starts. Diamond, who is 6-3 at home, fell to 1-1 lifetime against the Royals when he surrendered four runs over six innings at Kansas City on July 21.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals manager Ned Yost pushed RHP Luke Hochevar to Wednesday in order for Smith to make the start.

2. The Twins have posted at least 10 wins against Kansas City each of the last five seasons.

3. Kansas City LHP Francisley Bueno will be serving the second game of his two-game suspension for an incident in 2008 while with Atlanta.