The Minnesota Twins (29-23) visit the Tampa Bay Rays (26-26) on Monday for the first game of their 3-game series at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Twins vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rays won 4-3 last season
Minnesota had a 2-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a 2-1 loss in 10 innings against the Kansas City Royals while failing to cover as a -111 home favorite. The Twins scored their only run in the first inning on an RBI single from 1B Ty France. The team was held to just 3 hits against 4 Royals pitchers.
Tampa Bay has won 5 games in a row after obliterating the Toronto Blue Jays 13-0 on Sunday and covering as a -106 home favorite. C Ben Rortvedt had a team-high 3 RBIs while 8 Rays’ hitters had at least 1 RBI and the team had 15 hits.
Twins at Rays projected starters
RHP Chris Paddack vs. RHP Zack Littell
Paddack (2-4, 3.98 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 52 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K in a 5-1 home loss vs. Cleveland Guardians Wednesday
- Monday will be his first career appearance against the Rays
Littell (3-5, 1.15 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 59 1/3 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 in 59 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K in a 3-2 home win vs. Houston Astros Tuesday
- Career vs. Twins: 0-2, 4.50 ERA (18 IP, 9 ER), 1.39 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 5 appearances (3 starts)
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Twins at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Twins +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rays -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Twins -1.5 (+165) | Rays +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Twins at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Twins 3
BET RAYS (-125).
The Rays have been hot recently, winning 5 straoght games, all at home, and 7 of their last 10 contests. They have scored 8 or more runs in 2 of their last 4 games while holding opponents to 1 or fewer runs in each of their last 3 games.
The Twins have lost 2 of their last 4 games and 3 of their last 6 contests while scoring just 1 run in 2 of their last 4 games. They have allowed at least 4 runs in 4 of their last 6 outings.
PASS.
There is no value on the moneyline.
BET UNDER 9 (-115).
While the Rays are coming off an offensive explosion, they have hit the Under in 6 of their last 8 games. They have scored 3 or fewer runs in 5 of their last 7 games while allowing 2 or fewer runs in 4 of their last 5 contests.
The Twins have scored 3 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 4 games and have hit the Under in 7 of their last 9 contests.
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