Rays vs Twins Betting Preview: Rays Eye Fifth Straight Win vs Twins

Tampa Bay Looks to Keep Rolling Against AL Central-Leading Twins

The Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins are closing in on baseball playoff spots heading into a three-game series in Minnesota.

The last time the teams met, Tampa Bay swept a three-game series against visiting Minnesota and outscored the Twins 13-3 while being listed as the favorite in each of the games played in June. Keep that in mind when looking at the Rays vs Twins betting preview. Each of the three games went under the total. Tampa Bay also won the last meeting between the teams in 2022 with that game also finishing under the total.

Tyler Glasnow had 14 strikeouts the last time out, one shy of the Tampa Bay single-game record and he will figure prominently into today’s MLB best bets.

The home team has won five of the last six games between the teams. However, visiting Tampa Bay is priced at -126 in the series opener.

Tampa Bay (+1000) is fifth in the odds to win the World Series with Minnesota (+2200) is tied for ninth in the championship odds.

Probable Starting Pitchers

• Monday: Tyler Glasnow (Rays); Sonny Gray (Twins)
• Tuesday: Zack Littell (Rays); Joe Ryan (Twins)
• Wednesday: Taj Bradley (Rays); Dallas Keuchel (Twins)

Sigh of Relief for Rays

The Rays won the final three games against Seattle and scored 20 runs in those three contests as Tampa Bay continues to put pressure on first-place Baltimore Orioles. Still, when looking at the MLB division standings, Tampa Bay in three games behind the Orioles.

Despite losing some key pitchers to season-ending injuries, the pitching staff has been leading the way.

The bullpen allowed five hits and one run in 10.2 innings in the last three games. That could play a factor in the Rays vs Twins betting preview.

There were rather long odds that Game 2 starter Eflin would lead the Rays pitchers in games started to go with a team-high 14 wins at this point of the season.

Twins Looking to Win Another Series

Minnesota has the seventh-best record among American League teams and yet is closing in on the American League Central Division title.

The Twins have won each of the three series played in September even with the first two series coming on the road.

The Twins will be shorthanded going into this series with outfielders Joey Gallo. Michael Taylor and Byron Buxton joining Jose Miranda on the injured list with shortstop Jorge Polanco on the bereavement list. Keep that in mind when it comes to the Rays vs Twins betting preview.

Who’s Hot

• Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins OF: Castro is 10-for-20 with four extra-base hits, seven runs and two RBIs in his last six games.
• Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays P: Fairbanks has given up seven hits and one run with 23 strikeouts in 11.2 innings over his 12 games.
• Harold Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays DH: Ramirez is batting .300 with four runs, four extra-base hits and six RBIs in his last seven games.
• Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins P: Ryan is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15 innings in three starts since coming off the injured list.

Who’s Not

• Taj Bradley, Tampa Bay Rays P: Bradley is 0-3 with an ERA of 6.55 ERA in his last seven games. He allowed three home runs the last time out.
• Edouard Julien, Minnesota Twins IF: Julien is 3-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in eight games in September.
• Dallas Keuchel, Minnesota Twins P: Keuchel has allowed eight hits and seven runs with eight strikeouts in 8.1 innings in his last two games.
• Luke Raley, Tampa Bay Rays 1B: Raley is 3-for-17 with seven strikeouts and he has one extra-base hit in his last 11 games.

Rays vs Twins Injury Update

Infielder Isaac Parades is questionable while pitcher Jason Adam is out indefinitely for the Rays.

For Minnesota, third baseman Jose Miranda as well as pitchers Jorge Alcala, Chris Paddack and Brock Stewart could return later this month.

Rays vs Twins Betting Preview

The series could get off to a scintillating start with Tyler Glasnow, coming off a 14-strikeout performance, set to start for the Rays and Sonny Gray getting the ball for the Twins. Gray is priced at +8000 in the odds to win the American Cy Young Award. The offense could get going in the final two games of the series.

Five of Tampa Bay’s last seven games have finished over the total with the total set at eight for Monday’s series opener. for Minnesota, 12 of the last 18 contests landed over the total.

Tampa Bay is 12-6 in its last 18 road games while Minnesota’s 42 home wins are tied for the third most among American League teams.

Tampa Bay and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 in team ERA during the month of September.

The Rays have covered in 36 of their 69 road games in 2023 with Minnesota 34-37 against the spread at home.

Keep in mind that the teams are 132-78 this season when listed as the favorite compared to 28-41 as the underdogs.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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