Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Minnesota Twins (11-8) will take on the Tampa Bay Rays (11-8) Friday for the first-game of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida and can be viewed on ESPN+.

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Score Prediction

Minnesota 5, Tampa Bay 3 

Best Bets 

• Twins ML (+105) at BetMGM

Updated on 04/20/2024

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Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Predictions

The Twins started the season with a record of 4-8, but now find themselves in first place of the AL Central after winning seven straight and sweeping their opponent in back-to-back series. A 7-1 win over the Tigers on Thursday makes it the fifth straight game that Minnesota has scored five runs or more. The pitching for the Twins has also improved as of late, holding opponents to two runs or less in five of their last seven games. The right-hander Dylan Bundy is scheduled to take the mound on Friday. Bundy is 3-0 in three games this season with an ERA of 0.59 and has allowed 10 hits, one earned run, and struck out 12 batters in 15.1 innings.  

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners. The Rays took two of three games including a 2-1 win on Thursday. After losing four straight early in the season, Tampa Bay managed to turn things around and have won seven of their last 10. The bats have been a bit slow for the Rays, but the pitching has been excellent, holding opponents to two runs or less in five of their last seven games. Right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber is expected to start on Friday. Kluber is 0-1 in three games this season with an ERA of 3.68 and has allowed 18 hits, six earned runs, and struck out 12 batters in 14.2 innings of work. 

There is quite a bit of value in the Twins at +115 with how well they have been playing. The Rays have also been playing well, but it's tough to bet against a Minnesota team that has scored 32 runs while allowing 11 over their past five games. Not to mention, Tampa Bay is 1-5 this season in game one of a series. Backing the Twins moneyline in this matchup.  

Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Odds

• Twins +105
• Rays -125
• Twins +1.5 (-200)
• Rays -1.5 (+165)
• Over 7.5 (-115)
• Under 7.5 (-105)

MLB Odds | Futures Odds | Expert Picks

Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Resources

• Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
• Matchup: AL Central vs. AL East
• Stadium: Tropicana Field
• Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
• TV-Time: ESPN+ - 7:10 p.m. ET

Minnesota Twins Betting Analysis

After a rocky start, the Twins have rejuvenated their season and are 11-8 SU, 8-11 ATS, and have an O/U record of 7-11-1. The total has gone over in four of Minnesota's last five games. Following this trend, the total has gone over in 16 of their last 20 when playing on the road against Tampa Bay. The Twins have seen past success against the Rays with a SU record of 8-4 in their last 12 meetings.  

The Twins have had their bats working as of late, scoring 32 runs over their past five games. As a team, Minnesota has a batting average of .225 (20th), on base percentage of .314 (13th), slugging percentage of .369 (16th), and have scored 75 runs (15th). The second baseman Luis Arraez leads the team with a batting average of .333 (19-57), one home run, and seven RBIs. Designated hitter Byron Buxton has been productive as well with a batting average of .289 (13-45), six home runs, and 11 RBIs.  

Minnesota’s pitching has been excellent lately, holding opponents to two runs or less in six of their last eight games. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .224 (10th), have an ERA of 3.11 (8th), and have given up 61 runs (5th). Right-handed pitcher Dylan Bundy is expected to start on Friday. Bundy is 3-0 in three games this season with an ERA of 0.59 and has allowed 10 hits, one earned run, and struck out 12 batters in 15.1 innings. Bundy last pitched against the Rays in 2019 and allowed 22 hits, 13 runs, and struck out 12 batters in 18.1 innings (four games). 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Analysis

After 19 games played the Tampa Bay Rays are 11-8 SU, 7-12 ATS, and have an O/U record of 7-12. The total has gone under in five of Tampa Bay’s last five games. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in 14 of their last 20 games against Minnesota. The Rays have been on a roll lately, winning six of their last eight games.  

The Rays have had solid offensive production this season. As a team they have a batting average of .245 (8th), on base percentage of .322 (9th), slugging percentage of .384 (12th), and have scored 80 runs (12th). The shortstop Wander Franco leads the Rays with a batting average of .307 (23-75), four home runs, and 12 RBIs. Catcher Francisco Mejia does not have many at-bats, but has still made an impact with a batting average of .348 (8-23), two home runs, and 10 RBIs.  

Tampa Bay has been pitching very well, holding opponents to four runs or less in 14 games this season. As a team the Rays are allowing opponents a batting average of .207 (4th), have an ERA of 3.09 (7th), and have given up 74 runs (12th). The right-hander Corey Kluber is scheduled to take the mound Friday. Kluber is 0-1 in three games this season with an ERA of 3.68 and has allowed 18 hits, six earned runs, and struck out 12 batters in 14.2 innings of work. Kluber last pitched against Minnesota in 2019 and allowed four hits, two earned runs, and struck out five batters in 7.0 innings. 

Key Players to Watch

• MIN: Carlos Correa - SS (Last Game: 3-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI)
• MIN: Luis Arraez - 1B (Last Game: 0-5)
• TMB: Wander Franco - SS (Last Game: 0-3, BB)
• TMB: Randy Arozarena - OF (Last Game: 0-1)

Probable Pitchers

• MIN: Dylan Bundy - RHP (3-0, 0.59 ERA, 12 K, 0.72 WHIP)
• TMB: Corey Kluber - RHP (0-1, 3.68 ERA, 12 K, 1.57 WHIP)

Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Conclusion

I like the value in the Twins moneyline here. Minnesota has won seven straight, scored five or more runs in five straight games, and have held opponents to two runs or less in five of their last seven. The Rays have relied on their pitching lately, which is not a bad thing, but I think they will struggle to score runs with Dylan Bundy on the mound for Minnesota. Backing the red-hot Twins here at +115.  

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