Coming off a road trip that was far less successful than they hoped, the Twins have now turned their focus to one thing -- playing better at home.

Despite going just 2-4 over their six-game road trip to Toronto and Cleveland, the Twins are coming back on a high note after taking the final two against the Indians.

Minnesota heads back to the Metrodome for the start of an eight-game homestand, which features a pair of four-game sets against the Royals and Indians.

The key to the club's turnaround in the final two games of the series in Cleveland was a resurgence of its starting pitching. The two victories produced two quality starts, as Johan Santana and Matt Garza combined to allow just three earned runs over 13 innings. Neither starter earned the victory, as it took late comebacks by the club to attain the team win, but each did keep the club in the contest.

Scott Baker will have the task of continuing the trend. But the right-hander has never beaten the Royals, going 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts.

Pitching matchup
MIN: RHP Scott Baker (4-4, 5.30 ERA)
Baker took the loss in his last outing despite a relatively solid performance. He allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings. One of those earned runs can't be blamed on Baker, because center fielder Torii Hunter lost sight of a fly ball off the bat of Toronto's Aaron Hill, who eventually came around to score. Baker is 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts against Kansas City.

KC: RHP Gil Meche (7-7, 3.76 ERA)
Meche's final line didn't show it, but he pitched admirably against the Yankees on Wednesday night. He allowed five runs in 7 1/3 innings vs. the high-octane Yanks. Through seven innings, he permitted just three runs. However, because of Kansas City's depleted bullpen, Meche was sent back out for the eighth. On his 120th pitch, Meche threw a 3-2 cutter to Alex Rodriguez on the low-outside corner -- a perfect spot -- but A-Rod hit it over the wall for a two-run blast and his 499th career homer.

Player to watch
None of the Twins players have fared very well against Meche. Jason Bartlett has had some success in limited at-bats against the right-hander, going 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• FSN

On radio
• TRN

Up next
• Tuesday: Twins (Carlos Silva, 8-11, 4.76) vs. Royals (Jorge De La Rosa, 8-10, 5.35), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Twins (Boof Bonser, 5-7, 4.73) vs. Royals (Brian Bannister, 7-6, 3.42), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Twins (Johan Santana, 11-8, 2.92) vs. Royals (Odalis Perez, 6-9, 5.73), 12:10 p.m. CT