Minnesota Twins vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Minnesota Twins Face Tampa Bay Rays in Decisive Game of Series at Tropicana Field

The Minnesota Twins (75-63) will face the Tampa Bay Rays (68-70) in the final game of their three-game series at Tropicana Field. The Twins will start Pablo López, while the Rays will counter with Taj Bradley. Both teams have won one game in the current series. The game is scheduled for 1:10 PM Eastern time. Minnesota is the betting favorite with a -125 opening line.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Twins -125 | Rays +115
• Spread: Twins -1.5 (+135) | Rays +1.5 (-155)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Minnesota will win straight-up is 56%.

Minnesota vs Tampa Bay Stats

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins had their modest two-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Rays with a 2-1 loss. Starter David Festa took his fifth loss of the year, pitching five innings and giving up two earned runs on five hits. Despite the loss, the relief corps held the Rays scoreless for three innings. First baseman Carlos Santana had two hits and drove in the lone run for the Twins with a home run in the second inning. The team has been struggling offensively, scoring two runs or less in four of their last six games. Outfielder Max Kepler is day-to-day with an injury, while Manuel Margot and Byron Buxton remain on the 10-day IL. The Twins are currently ranked 19th in power rankings, with the 8th best offense and 17th best defense, and have a record of 75-63 for the season.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays secured their first win of September by defeating the Minnesota Twins 2-1 at home on Tuesday. Starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs pitched a solid game, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings to earn his second win of the season. In his major league debut, catcher Logan Driscoll delivered the go-ahead run with a single in the fourth inning. Rays relievers held off the Twins for three innings, with left-handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger closing out the game to earn his fifth save of the season. Prior to this game, the Rays had struggled on the mound, allowing four or more runs in five consecutive games. Springs expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting improvements in his pitching and aiming to enhance his command in future outings. The team's power ranking is 21st, with an offense ranked 28th, scoring an average of 3.88 runs per game, and a defense ranked 14th, giving up an average of 4.36 runs per game. The team currently holds a record of 68-70. Additionally, second baseman Richie Palacios remains on the 10-day injured list with a knee injury. Minnesota had won two out of their last three matchups against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays Poised for Victory Against Minnesota Twins Based on Recent Performance

Lopez has faced challenges when pitching against the Rays, with only one win in seven starts and an ERA exceeding four. The Rays have dominated their matchups against the Twins, winning eight of their last ten games overall and four of five at Tropicana Field. Their pitchers have shown strength at home in 2024, ranking eighth in the league in home ERA, indicating they are likely to stifle the Twins' offensive output. Prior to this series, Minnesota struggled at the plate against the Rays, hitting just .202 with a .370 slugging percentage in their previous 10 matchups. Minnesota's pitching staff has also had difficulties on the road, conceding five or more runs in five of their last seven away games. The Rays' recent successful sweep of the Arizona Cardinals, scoring five or more runs in each game, further supports the likelihood of a Tampa Bay victory in the upcoming series finale on Thursday. Based on these statistics and trends, a Tampa Bay win seems probable.

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