THREE-GAME SERIES AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM

All games on 830-AM and 102.9-FM

Friday, 7:10 p.m., Apple TV+: RHP Zebby Matthews (1-2, 7.41 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Ragans (10-9, 3.46)

Saturday, 6:15 p.m., Fox: RHP Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.95) vs. RHP Alec Marsh (7-8, 4.70)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m., BSN: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-3, 3.95) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (11-7, 3.50)

Twins update: Minnesota (76-64) closes out the season series with the Royals after splitting a four-game series with the Rays in Tampa. … The Twins have a ½-game lead over the Royals for second place in the AL Central standings and for the second AL wild-card spot. The Twins, who have already clinched the season series with the Royals, are 7-3 against Kansas City this season — having won two of three in the season-opening series in Kansas City and five of seven at Target Field. In the most recent series, the Twins won two of three from the Royals on Aug. 12-14 at Target Field. ... OF Max Kepler (left patellar tendinitis), who did not play in the four-game series in Tampa, was placed on the 10-day injured list. ... The Twins, who were 40-41 on the road last season, are 37-34 on the road this season.

Kansas City update: The Royals (76-65) ended a seven-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. … The Royals hold a five-game lead over Detroit for the third and final AL wild-card spot. … SS Bobby Witt Jr., who leads MLB in average (.339), hits (190) and runs scored (117) also MLB with 108 hits and a .388 average in home games. OF Hunter Renfroe (right hamstring strain), sidelined since Aug. 24, began a rehab assignment Wednesday and could be activated from the injured list this weekend. ... 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, who suffered a fracture of his right thumb Aug. 29, will miss the rest of the regular season. … Ragans allowed just one run and five hits in seven innings in the Royals' 4-1 victory over the Twins in the series finale at Target Field on Aug. 14.