(My Sportsbook) - The Minnesota Twins continue their push towards the top of the AL Central this afternoon when they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

The Twins remained one game back of the Chicago White Sox in the division on Wednesday, as Kevin Slowey hurled seven solid innings, helping Minnesota to a 7-1 win.

Slowey (12-9) allowed just one run on four hits for the Twins, who have won the first two games in this set after losing five of six.

Boof Bonser and Craig Breslow finished things with an inning of scoreless relief apiece.

David DeJesus had the only RBI for the Royals, who have dropped three straight.

Kyle Davies (6-7) surrendered four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings en route to the loss.

Getting the call for the Twins today will be left-hander Francisco Liriano, who is 5-0 with a 1.44 earned run average in his seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A.

Liriano was again brilliant on Friday against the Detroit Tigers, as he held them to a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings, while striking out nine with a walk, upping his record to 5-3 on the season to go along with a 3.33 ERA.

The 24-year-old hurler defeated the Royals the last time he faced them and is 2-1 lifetime against them with a 4.72 ERA in four games, two of which have been starts.

Kansas City will counter with righty Brandon Duckworth, who is 2-1 with a 6.60 ERA. Duckworth, though, was tagged with the loss on Friday against Cleveland, as he allowed five runs and five hits in four innings. He also walked four batters in the setback.

Duckworth has faced the Twins four times (three starts) and is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA in those outings.

Minnesota has won 11 of its 14 meetings with the Royals this season, including four of the five matchups at the Metrodome.