Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images/Sipa USA

Minnesota Twins vs Tampa Bay Rays: Can the Rays save the season?

The Minnesota Twins are visiting the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.

The Twins have a promising season

The Minnesota Twins are second in the AL Central with a 75-63 record, including 36-33 on the road. After two consecutive wins, the Twins lost last night in Tampa. Minnesota has a 4.15 ERA, a .233 batting average, a .295 on-base percentage, and 1.19 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Willi Castro leads the Twins with 124 hits and 79 runs so far in the season while Ryan Jeffers is on top with 20 home runs.

The Rays still hope for the playoffs

The Tampa Bay Rays are fourth in the AL East with a 68-70 record and 36-37 at home. The Rays have lost four of the last six games. Tampa Bay has a 3.96 ERA, a .238 batting average, a .304 on-base percentage, and 1.23 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Yandy Diaz leads the team with 137 and 48 runs, while Jose Siri leads with 17 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Rays are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games overall, 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against teams from the AL Central and 1-8 SU in their last 9 games played on Wednesday. Tampa Bay has played under the total run line in 4 of their last 5 home games against the Twins and 11 of their last 13 games against teams from the AL, while they have gone over in 4 of their last 6 games against Minnesota and 4 of their last 6 games overall. The Twins are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games overall, 3-9 SU in their last 12 games against the Rays, 14-6 SU in their last 20 games against teams from the AL and 4-10 SU in their last 14 games against teams from the AL East. Minnesota has played under the total run line in 4 of their last 6 games overall and has gone over in 5 of their last 6 games on the road.

Prediction and Conclusion

The Minnesota Twins are in a great situation with a 95% chance to make the playoffs while the Rays are barely floating on the surface. The Rays won 2-1 last night, after the Twins won the opener by 5-4. Both teams start pitchers who saw very limited time on the mound this season. The Rays will go with Cole Sulser, who is 0-0 for the season with a 5.40 ERA, 10 K, 8.1 IP, and 1.56 WHIP. Ronny Henriquez will be the starter for the Twins, who are 1-0 for the season with a 2.45 ERA, 10 K, 11 IP, and 1.18 WHIP. Unlike yesterday, this will be a more interesting game with more scoring, so we go with over 8.5 runs in total.