Minnesota Twins vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Twins Aim to Extend Winning Streak in Wednesday Night Showdown Against Rays

The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are set to continue their four-game series with a Wednesday night matchup in St. Petersburg. The Twins, currently second in the AL Central, are looking to close the gap in their division and maintain their position in the Wild Card race. They will have RHP Pablo Lopez on the mound. The Rays, fourth in the AL East, hope to stay in the Wild Card hunt with RHP Taj Bradley starting. The game is scheduled to start at 6:50 EST at Tropicana Field. Additionally, Ronny Henriquez will be starting for the Twins and Tyler Alexander for the Rays. The Twins are the betting favorite opening at -115, with the current line at Minnesota -108.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Twins -108 | Rays -104
• Spread: Twins -1.5 (+150) | Rays +1.5 (-175)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Minnesota will win straight-up is 52%.

Minnesota vs Tampa Bay Stats

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have shown improvement recently, winning two out of their last three games. Their offense has been struggling, scoring only 12 runs in the last five games. However, they still rank fifth in the league in runs scored and sixth in batting average. Trevor Larnach has been a standout player, hitting a three-run homer in Monday's game. The pitching staff has a 4.16 team ERA, ranking 10th in the league. Lopez has been a key player on the staff, with 13 wins and a strong performance in recent games. The bullpen has contributed 30 wins and 39 saves this season. Injuries could be a factor for the team going forward, as OF Max Kepler is dealing with a knee injury. The Twins are currently ranked 19th in power rankings, with a record of 75-63.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have been struggling in their recent games, going 2-6 in their last eight games and ranking 12th in the American League with a .231 team batting average. Despite their pitching being ranked eighth in the A.L. with a team ERA of 3.97, they have allowed a league-high 20 home runs in the last half month. Junior Caminero has been a standout player recently, going 2-for-4 with a walk, run, and RBI in Monday's game. The team's relievers have recorded 42 saves, with Kevin Kelly leading with 14 holds in 57 appearances. Overall, the Rays have a power ranking of 21 and are ranked #28 for offense and #14 for defense, with an overall record of 68-70. Minnesota has recently won 2 out of 3 matchups against Tampa Bay.

Twins Look to Maintain Road Success Against Struggling Rays

After an initial win by the Twins in this series, the teams have since split their first four meetings of the season, each game being decided by a narrow one-run margin. Minnesota has demonstrated proficiency as a road team this year with a record of 36-32 away from their home field. Lopez, with seven wins in 14 road starts this season, has been an effective pitcher, striking out 91 batters in 81 innings. In contrast, Tampa Bay has struggled at Tropicana Field with a 25-27 record. Bradley, coming off a recent loss at home, has faced three consecutive defeats in his past home starts. The Twins remain focused on securing a spot in the postseason and must continue to perform at their best. Given the circumstances, it is advisable to favor the Twins in this matchup.

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