The Tampa Bay Rays (48-40, 45-43 RL, 36-50-3 O/U) and the Minnesota Twins (42-46, 44-45 RL, 36-45-6 O/U) conclude a three-game series on Sunday afternoon and we have the prediction. The Rays are sending Drew Rasmussen to the rubber. The Twins will reply with Joe Ryan. The Twins posted a 4-3 win in the series opener on Friday.
Can Joe Ryan earn his ninth win of the season on Sunday? Continue reading for the Rays vs. Twins prediction. Nobody does it better when it comes to MLB Picks!
Tampa Bay Dips in Standings
Drew Rasmussen will be on the mound to conclude the series. Rasmussen had a rare bad outing earlier this week, squandering four runs in three innings against the Athletics, resulting in a no-decision in a game the Rays lost. The Rays' ace is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game. Rasmussen has conceded two or fewer runs in all but four outings and has delivered a 2.78 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP accompanied by a 7-5 record in 87.1 innings of work. Rasmussen has conceded 11 runs (seven earned) in 15.1 career innings against Minnesota.
The Tampa Bay Rays are in the midst of a daunting road trek. The squad has been inconsistent recently and has dipped into 3rd in the AL East, but stands in a wildcard spot. They dropped a road series against the Orioles last week and were dealt two defeats in three home meetings against the Athletics before this series. They conceded 15 runs in the series. The squad is only two games behind the Yankees. They are 20-15 on the road.
Yandy Diaz is having another strong year. The veteran first baseman has 50 RBIs and a solid .822 OPS. He has one RBI in four games against Minnesota this season. Jonathan Aranda has amassed just one RBI in his past five games. The veteran is one of the more underrated hitters. He is hitting a sparkling .316 with 45 RBIs and a strong .875 OPS. Danny Jansen has six RBIs in his past seven games. The 30-year-old catcher has 25 RBIs and a .660 OPS. Junior Caminero has been the Rays’ best hitter this season. The 21-year-old has five RBIs in his past 10 games and 21 bombs with 54 RBIs and an .825 OPS on the year.
Tampa Bay is averaging 4.76 runs per game, ranking them eighth. The pitching is solid, posting a 3.75 ERA, placing them 10th.
Ryan on the Mound for Minnesota
Joe Ryan is on the rubber on Sunday afternoon. Ryan was superb in his previous effort, conceding one run in seven innings against the Marlins, and secured the win. The veteran has been the Twins' ace. He has conceded three or fewer runs in five consecutive outings and is sporting a sharp 2.75 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP, accompanied by an 8-4 record in 98.1 innings on the season. Ryan has kept the Rays to just four runs with a 1-0 record in 16.2 career innings.
The Minnesota Twins have been a disappointment this season and are out of contention in the division. They are four games out of a wildcard spot. The group dropped a series against Detroit last week and was dealt a series defeat by the Marlins this week. They only managed three runs in the series while conceding eight runs. They rebounded with a win to begin this series. The Twins stand at 23-17 at home.
Ryan Jeffers has zero RBIs in his past five games. The veteran catcher is having a mediocre season, netting 29 RBIs and a .700 OPS. Brooks Lee has managed five RBIs in his past eight games. The 24-year-old third baseman has strong numbers, recording 34 RBIs and a 706 OPS. Ty France is having a subpar season. The 30-year-old has posted 42 RBIs but a weak .680 OPS. Byron Buxton did not play in the first series against the Rays. The star slugger has dominant numbers, bashing 19 home runs with 52 RBIs with a sparkling .880 OPS.
Minnesota is posting an average of 4.11 runs per game, rating them 22nd. The pitching is subpar, yielding a 4.15 ERA, positioning them 20th
Best Bets for Tampa Bay Rays vs. Minnesota Twins
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Tampa Bay Rays are struggling to win games this past week. They have dropped four of their past five games entering Saturday. The Minnesota Twins are not easy to beat at home, where they stand at five games above .500 on the season.
Furthermore, Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen just surrendered four runs in three innings against the Athletics. The Rays have lost in two of his past three outings. The Twins have a great chance with pitcher Joe Ryan on the mound. He has been their ace. The veteran has only conceded five runs in his past 25.1 innings of work. Ryan has kept the Rays to only four runs in 16.1 career innings. Minnesota has won in five of his past six home starts.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
I expect this one to go over, considering this lower number of eight. Tampa Bay has scored an average of 4.8 runs in its past ten games. The Twins have conceded 30 runs in their past six home games entering Saturday. Rasmussen is not pitching deep into games, pitching 5.1 or fewer innings in four straight outings.
In addition, Minnesota is dangerous at home, where they have scored 31 runs in their past six games entering Saturday evening. Rasmussen has struggled in his career against Minnesota, surrendering 11 runs in 15.1 career innings. The over has cashed in six of the Twins' past nine home games.
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