• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Twins zero in on securing a playoff berth

Sep 25, 2006 - 3:03 PM Kansas City 58-97) at Minnesota (92-63) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins have a magic number of two with seven home games remaining to reach the postseason for the fourth time in five years. The first four of those contests come against the team with the worst record in the major leagues.

With a little help, the Twins can secure a playoff berth with a victory in Monday's opener of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals.

Minnesota reduced its magic number for inclusion in the American League playoffs to two with Sunday's 6-3 triumph at Baltimore. The Twins can seal a postseason berth Monday with a victory here coupled with a loss by the Chicago White Sox, who are 5 1/2 games off the pace in the wild card standings.

With an AL-best 50 home victories this season, the Twins give the ball to rookie Boof Bonser (6-5, 4.36 ERA). After going 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in July and August, Bonser has sported a mark of 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts this month.

Bonser has been saddled with a 7.56 ERA in losing both meetings with the Royals, who have lost six consecutive games overall to reclaim the majors' worst record from Tampa Bay. Kansas City was outscored, 33-11, in a three-game series against Detroit, which holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central Division.

The Royals turn to Jorge De La Rosa (3-3, 5.32), who has posted a 9.95 ERA in losing both career starts against the Twins. Aside from those two outings, the lefthander has gone 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA since being traded to Kansas City from Milwaukee in July.

Minnesota can clinch a third consecutive season series victory against Kansas City with a win Monday. The Twins have won nine of the first 15 meetings with the teams in 2006.