Tampa Bay Rays vs
Minnesota TwinsPredictions & Preview

Minnesota Twins to Face Tampa Bay Rays on Memorial Day Monday in Exciting Baseball Matchup, with Rays Favored Despite Strong Pitching from Twins' Chris Paddack

On Memorial Day Monday, the Minnesota Twins will face off against the Tampa Bay Rays in an exciting baseball matchup. Chris Paddack will be the starting pitcher for the Twins, looking to continue the strong season for Minnesota's rotation. Meanwhile, Zack Littell will take the mound for the Rays, aiming to overcome some recent struggles. The Rays are currently the betting favorite with a -120 opening line that has remained unchanged.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rays -120 | Twins +108
• Spread: Rays -1.5 (+165) | Twins +1.5 (-190)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 55%.

Tampa Bay vs Minnesota Stats

Tampa Bay Rays

The Minnesota Twins have turned their season around after a slow start and are currently tied for first with Cleveland at 29-23. Despite a lackluster offense ranking in the bottom third in major categories, the team is succeeding thanks to strong pitching. Minnesota ranks 3rd in ERA and 1st in WHIP. Monday's starter, Chris Paddack, has been reliable. Defensively, the Twins are average but their pitching helps cover any flaws. Going up against Tampa Bay, who has a power ranking of 4 and impressive defense, Minnesota will need to rely on run prevention to continue their success.

Minnesota Twins Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays are currently at .500 through 52 games, surprising many by holding the second spot in the AL East. With a five-game winning streak, they will rely on Zack Littell to continue their success on the mound. Despite a shaky start to the season, the Rays have turned things around with Littell and have excelled in stolen bases, leading all of baseball with 71. Their offense, led by Brandon Lowe and emerging talent Junior Caminero, ranks 20th in runs per game and 18th in batting average. On the pitching side, the Rays boast a respectable 3.69 ERA and solid defense with the third-fewest errors in the league. In contrast, the Minnesota Twins have a power ranking of 22 and are ranked 24th in offense and 11th in defense. Tampa Bay recently won 2 out of 3 games against the Twins.

Minnesota Twins Could Be Strong Contender Despite Being Underdog in Favoritism

The team that is currently being favored may not be the most suitable choice in this situation. Minnesota has demonstrated strong performance recently, boasting a 16-3 record in their last 19 games. Furthermore, Chris Paddack has been a reliable asset for the team, with a 3-1 record in his last four starts and an impressive 2.19 ERA during those outings. Despite Zack Littell's recent good form, it is important to note that active Twins hitters have historically performed well against him, hitting 22 for 73 (.301 AVG) with a .880 OPS. Considering these factors, it would be prudent to consider the Minnesota Twins as a strong contender in this scenario, especially when offered as an underdog.

Sources: [ 1 ]