In this article, we will formulate a Twins vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, July 5th at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Minnesota Twins are 42-46 this season after they won game one by a score of 4-3 on Friday afternoon. Minnesota trailed 3-1 in the seventh inning, but they scored the last three runs in the game for the victory. The Twins recorded eight hits in the game, and they were led by Bader, who went 2-4 with two home runs and two RBIs in the win. Minnesota started Paddack, who allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Varland picked up the win in relief.
Prior to this series, the Twins lost two out of three against the Marlins and two out of three against the Tigers. Minnesota has lost four of its last six games, and they are currently second in the AL Central standings. The Minnesota pitching staff has a 4.14 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .248 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 363 runs with a .238 batting average and a .309 on-base percentage this season. Byron Buxton has led Minnesota with 19 home runs and 52 RBIs, while Trevor Larnach has added 12 home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Minnesota is TBD.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 48-40 this year after they lost game one to start this series on Friday. Tampa Bay was able to score three runs in the middle innings to take a 3-1 lead, but their bullpen couldn’t protect the lead, and they ended up with a tough loss. The Rays recorded eight hits in the game, and they were led by Lowe, Diaz, and Caminero, who all had one RBI in the loss. TB started Littell, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Uceta allowed two earned runs in relief.
Prior to this series, the Rays lost two out of three against the Athletics and two out of three against the Orioles. Tampa Bay has lost four of its last five games, and they are currently third in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.75 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 419 runs with a .258 batting average and a .323 on-base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 19 home runs and 50 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Taj Bradley, who is 5-6 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 92.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Twins will beat the Rays
- The Twins have won eight of their last nine games as underdogs against American League opponents following a home win.
- The Rays have lost seven of their last eight Saturday day games as road favorites against American League opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last six games at Target Field.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games as favorites.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last three day games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Ten of the Rays’ last 11 road games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Twins’ last five games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last seven day games between the Rays and Twins.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six games as road favorites.
Minnesota Twins Player Prop Facts
- Harrison Bader has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as a home underdog against AL East opponents.
- Ty France has recorded at least one hit in each of his 11 previous home appearances against the Rays after playing the previous day.
- Ryan Jeffers has recorded at least one Double in four of his last five appearances with the Twins as home underdogs.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in each of the Rays’ last two games as road favorites.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances.
Twins vs Rays Prediction
Minnesota picked up a dramatic win on Friday afternoon to start this series, so they will look to build on that momentum here. The Twins have struggled over the last few weeks, but they are 23-17 at home this year, while the Rays are 20-15 on the road. Tampa Bay continues to battle in the very tough AL East, and they will start Bradley, who has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his last five starts. I don’t know what Minnesota is planning to do on the mound, but we know Bradley has struggled, and I think Minnesota can sneak out another victory.