Game 121 Open Thread - Kansas City Royals (66-54) vs. Minnesota Twins (54-65)

The Royals and Twins match up for the thirteenth time this year, with the two teams splitting the previous six contests. The Twins swept the Royals back in April here at Target Field, but of the eleven position players that appeared in that series in Minnesota, just four - Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer, and Kurt Suzuki - are on the active roster today.

Danny Duffy goes to the hill for the Royals tonight. He's faced Minnesota four times, although just twice as a starter. He's given up only two runs in 15 2/3 innings against the Twinkies, earning the win once, on June 30. I suppose we're all waiting for the other shoe to drop with Danny since he has drastically outperformed his FIP, but he's having a truly historic season in franchise history as far as his ERA. He doesn't quite qualify for the ERA title yet, but should he finish with enough innings, his current 2.57 ERA would be the sixth best in franchise history for a pitcher qualifying for the ERA title.

Ricky Nolasco makes his first start tonight since returning from the disabled list after a bout with "flexor pronator stiffness." Nolaso has had a disaster of a season with a 5.90 ERA since signing a four-year $49 million deal last winter, but he has beaten the Royals twice already this season, including an eight inning performance on July 1.

Josh Willingham faces his former teammates for the first time since being dealt to the Royals on August 11. In case you were wondering, Jason Adam gave up four runs on six hits over three innings in his debut with the AA New Britain Rock Cats this week.

LINE EM UP!

#Royals lineup vs. Nolasco: Aoki RF Infante 2B Perez C Butler 1B Gordon LF Willingham DH Moustakas 3B Escobar SS Dyson CF Duffy P

— David Lesky (@DBLesky) August 15, 2014