Since leaving Minnesota last week, having been swept out of town by the Twins, the Royals have a 5-game winning streak they hope to push to six by returning the favor and finishing a 3-game sweep of the Twins. We hope not, but it will depend on pitching.

Yordano Ventura, a 22-year-old righty out of Samana, Samana, Dominican Republic, gets the start for Kansas City. Don't be surprised to see three digits on the radar gun today - Mr. Ventura touched 102 mph last year. In 5 starts between this year and last, he's posted a 2.22 ERA/4.16 FIP/.988 WHIP with 2.9 BB/9 and 9 SO/9.

Facing Ventura will be 27-year-old Phil Hughes, a righty out of Mission Viejo, CA, USA. Signed to a 3 year/$24 million dollar contract last offseason, Mr. Hughes is currently 0-1 through 3 starts with a 7.20 ERA/3.75 FIP/1.667 WHIP with 3.0 BB/9 and 10.2 SO/9. In 30 starts last year, he went 4-14 in 30 starts with a 5.19 ERA/4.50 FIP/1.455 WHIP with 2.6 BB/9 and 7.5 SO/9.

And apparently, Joe Mauer is very good at bunting too, but people still hate him.

Lineups:
1. B. Dozier, 2B
2. J. Mauer, 1B
3. T. Plouffe, 3B
4. C. Colabello, RF
5. J. Kubel, LF
6. J. Pinto, DH
7. K. Suzuki, C
8. A. Hicks, CF
9. E. Escobar, SS

1. N. Aoki, RF
2. O. Infante, 2B
3. E. Hosmer, 1B
4. S. Perez, C
5. A. Gordon, LF
6. B. Butler, DH
7. M. Moustakas, 3B
8. J. Maxwell, CF
9. A. Escobar, SS