In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Twins prediction for this MLB game on Friday, April 24th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 13-11 this year after they lost two out of three against the Reds by scores of 1-6, 6-12, and 6-1. In game three, Tampa Bay scored the first four runs in the game and they picked up a relatively easy win. The Rays recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Caminero, who went 1-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Martinez allowed five hits and one earned run over 8.0 innings for the win, while Kelly closed out the game. Prior to that series, Tampa Bay lost two out of three against the Pirates, but did win all three against the White Sox before that.
This season, Tampa Bay has a 4.70 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and a .229 opponent batting average, while they have scored 116 runs with a .257 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with four home runs and 19 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz has added three home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Drew Rasmussen, who is 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP over 19.2 innings pitched this year.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Minnesota Twins are 12-13 this season after they lost two out of three against the Mets by scores of 5-3, 2-3, and 8-10. In game three, Minnesota trailed 7-2, but they tied the game in the eighth, before allowing three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the loss. The Twins recorded 12 hits in the game and they were led by Jeffers, who went 1-3 with one home run and four RBIs. Ryan allowed seven hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Morris picked up the loss. Prior to that series, Minnesota lost all three against the Reds, but did win two out of three against the Red Sox before that.
This season, Minnesota has a 4.13 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a .251 opponent batting average, while they have scored 127 runs with a .231 batting average and a .331 on base percentage. Josh Bell has led the Twins with three home runs and 16 RBIs, while Tristan Gray has added three home runs and 13 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is Taj Bradley, who is 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 27.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last eight games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have lost each of their last five games after playing the previous day.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last eight games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games against the Rays following a loss.
- The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Twins have lost the first inning in four of their last five road games.
- The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five road night games.
Why the Minnesota Twins will win
- The Rays have lost seven of their last eight games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The Twins have won four of their last five games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line each of their last six home games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Twins have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games as road underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Twins have won the first inning in each of their last four night games against American League opponents.
- The Twins have led after 5 innings in five of their last six road games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Twins have led after 3 innings in each of their last four road games against American League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Twins’ last four road games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Rays’ last six home games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last six games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the last seven games between the Twins and Rays at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in four of the Rays’ last eight home games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against AL opponents.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.340) this season.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
- Byron Buxton has hit at least one home run in four of the Twins’ last six games as underdogs.
- Byron Buxton has recorded a hit in each of the Twins’ last six games.
- Taj Bradley ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (1.63) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (176).
- The Rays rank T4th in the league for triples this season (4).
- The Twins rank T2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (16).
- The Twins rank T27th in the league for doubles this season (31).
Rays vs Twins Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup after losing a series to the lowly Mets and they have allowed 5+ runs in three of their last five games. The Twins are 5-7 on the road this year, while the Rays are 5-4 at home. Tampa Bay has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed six runs or more in four of their last five. Both of these pitchers have very good numbers, but Rasmussen has almost been untouchable. Take the Rays to win at home.