Los Angeles Dodgers

Twins' Santana looks to stay hot, take down Royals

Published Apr. 8, 2016 1:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Twins are still looking for their first win of the season following a three-game sweep in Baltimore, but while a road matchup against the world champion Kansas City Royals doesn't sound like the best medicine, recent history says otherwise.

The Twins dethroned the Royals five times in 10 trips to Kauffman Stadium last year, despite picking up just two wins in nine matchups against Kansas City at Target Field.

And on Friday they'll be counting on a former Royal to get the job done.

Ervin Santana's rain-soaked start against Baltimore on opening day was cut short, but he's been red-hot for the Twins since his return from a PED-related suspension last July.

Santana has a microscopic ERA of just 1.56 since Aug. 30 of last year, a figure that puts him on par with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw over that same span.

First baseman Joe Mauer ripped his first home run of the season on Thursday, and now leads the Twins with four hits on the season.

Mauer has been particularly effective against the Royals over the years, and trails only Detroit Tigers slugger Victor Martinez as the league's most prolific batter when facing Kansas City.

Statistics courtesy STATS Inc.