What observers say
“I just hope to see him healthy,” remarked a Royals beat writer, reflecting the anticipation surrounding Kris Bubic’s return to the mound. Bubic is making his first start of the season as the Kansas City Royals host the Minnesota Twins for their 2026 home opener at Kauffman Stadium.
Both teams enter the matchup with identical 1-2 records, making this game crucial for early-season momentum. The game is set to start at 3:10 PM US Central time, and fans are eager to see how the teams stack up against each other.
Simeon Woods Richardson will take the hill for the Twins, who finished last season with a disappointing 70-92 record. In contrast, the Royals ended the 2025 season with an 82-80 record, placing third in the AL Central. The Royals are banking on better health from their pitchers and improvement from former Top 100 prospects.
Woods Richardson had a 4.04 ERA last season, while Bubic boasted an impressive 2.55 ERA before his injury. His performance will be pivotal as the Royals look to build on their strong pitching staff, which ranked sixth in MLB with a team ERA of 3.73 last year.
Byron Buxton, a key player for the Twins, has a .500 batting average against Bubic in 10 career at-bats. “He’s already picked up a double and a triple so far in the 2026 season, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see Buxton pick up two bases on Monday,” noted analyst Peter Dewey. Buxton’s ability to contribute could be a game-changer for the Twins.
The Twins struggled on the road last season, finishing with a 32-49 record, and they will need to overcome that trend to find success in Kansas City. In their last two games against the Orioles, they managed to score a total of 10 runs, indicating a potential offensive resurgence.
As the Royals aim to improve on their previous season’s performance, they will look to their stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez to lead the charge. Vinnie Pasquantino’s contributions will also be crucial as the team seeks to capitalize on their home-field advantage.
With an over/under of 9.5 total runs for the game, fans can expect an exciting matchup. The Royals hope to start their season on a high note, while the Twins are eager to turn their fortunes around. Details remain unconfirmed.
