The Tampa Bay Rays (48-40) and Minnesota Twins (42-46) play the second game of a 3-game set in Minneapolis Saturday. First pitch from Target Field is slated for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rays vs. Twins odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets. .
Season series: Tied 2-2
Tampa Bay lost Friday’s series opener 4-3. The contest marked the Rays’ third straight game decided by 1 run. They have gone 1-2 over that stretch and are 1-4 across their last 5 games.
The Twins won Friday’s game in walk-off fashion. LF Harrison Bader‘s second round-tripper of the game was a leadoff job in the home half of the ninth, and it completed a comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Minnesota has won 3 in a row at Target Field.
Rays at Twins projected starters
RHP Taj Bradley vs. RHP Travis Adams
Bradley (5-6, 4.79 ERA) is making his 18th start. He has logged a 1.30 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 through 92 IP.
- Last outing: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 5-1 loss at Baltimore Orioles Sunday
- Career vs. Twins: 0-2, 4.38 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 12 ER), 22 H, 7 BB, 26 K in 4 starts
- Has run wildly hot and cold in alternating starts over his last 6 outings; owns a 5.72 ERA over that stretch
Adams is a 25-year-old who would be making his MLB debut. He is expected to be called up from Triple-A to either start this game or serve as a bulk reliever behind an opener.
- In 19 Minor League games this season (including 5 starts), he has registered a 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, and 8.4 K/9 in 63 2/3 IP.
- Possibly filling the rotation spot of RHP Bailey Ober (hip) in the short or intermediate term
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!
Rays at Twins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Twins +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+125) | Twins +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Rays at Twins picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Twins 3
Tampa Bay is 5-3 over its last 8 games at Minnesota. All 3 of its losses in that stretch have been by 1 run.
The Rays have played .545 baseball so far. That win total — one held back by a 12-18 mark in 1-run games — is about 3 games shy based on 4.76 runs per game and 3.99 RPG allowed. Tampa owns an .843 OPS over its last 20 games and has the better position on the mound here.
Since June 12, the Twins are just 6-15. In series game 2s, they are 1-for-their-last-6.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists a better road-club value here. BACK THE RAYS (-122). Consider a partial-unit play due to the lack of quality pitching data on the Twins.
Both clubs have played more 1-run games than average. And the Minnesota side of the pitching equation is a question mark. PASS on trying to get the Rays across the finish line with a multi-run victory.
The Under 10 hit Friday, and the Under has prevailed in 3 straight Tampa-Minnesota meetings.
Bradley has been hurt by a .356 batting average on balls in play in high-leverage situations. He has pitched well on the road (3.95 ERA) and has a better history against Minnesota than what shows in his ERA history. Current Twins batters own an aggregate .671 OPS against him (per ESPN).
Peg the Twins bullpen as a point of betting value. Its 4.32 ERA has been untethered a bit due to a .319 BABIP.
FanDuel Sportsbook has a better value price here. TAKE THE UNDER 9.5 (-112).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
