In search of their third consecutive victory, the Kansas City Royals will give the ball to right-handed starter Luke Hochevar (7-13, 5.36 ERA) on Wednesday in Game 2 against the Minnesota Twins.
The 28-year-old Hochevar has labored through an up-and-down season thus far in 2012, but is currently in the midst of a woeful stretch where he has not recorded a win since Jul. 31. The Twins gave Hochevar a disheartening loss by roughing him up for eight runs as recently as Sept. 1, but the former No. 1 overall pick has actually been a more effective pitcher away from home this season (4.82 away ERA vs. 5.94 home ERA) and may be in line for a bounce-back start.
Royals hitters will hope to get the better of Minnesota right-hander P.J. Walters (2-3, 6.03 ERA) on Wednesday after tallying 16 hits in Game 1, as the 27-year-old starter gears up for his ninth start of the season. Walters was shelled for six runs in his only post-All-Star break appearance, but is a bit of an unknown considering that he has yet to face the Royals in his career.
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