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The Tampa Bay Rays will attempt to salvage the three-game series as they finish up with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a Rays-Twins prediction and pick.
The Twins defeated the Rays 6-5 on Saturday. First, the Twins were trailing 3-0 in the third inning when Luis Arraez crushed a 96-mile-per-hour fastball into the seats in right field for a grand slam home run. It was his third home run in 2022 giving the Twins a 4-3 lead. Later, Jose Miranda clipped an RBI double to make it 5-3. The Twins held on for a 6-5 win.
Shane Baz had a rough 2022 debut, lasting only 2 1/3 innings while giving up five earned runs on three hits and three walks. Tampa Bay had to use five relievers to finish the game. Therefore, the Rays need a quality start today to avoid that from reoccurring. The Rays are 34-25 and in third place in the AL East while the Twins are 35-26 and in first place in the AL Central.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rays-Twins odds:
MLB odds: Rays-Twins Odds
Rays: -1.5 (+132) ML (-120)
Twins: +1.5 (-160) ML (+102)
Over: 8.5 (-122)
Under: 8.5 (+100)
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Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
The Rays will go with Jeffrey Springs on the mound. Springs is 2-2 with a 1.62 ERA. Likewise, he tossed six shutout innings in his last start, allowing six hits and striking out five. Springs has gotten better with each start. Likewise, he has 18 strikeouts over three starts. Springs does not walk many batters, which makes him difficult to face. He has been one of the top pitchers for the Rays this season and helped a rotation that ranks seventh in team ERA. Additionally, Springs has a good bullpen to back him up as they also rank seventh in team ERA. The pitching staff continues to carry the Rays. However, Springs and the rest of the pitching staff need help.
The Rays have produced inconsistent numbers on offense in 2022. However, when they do produce, they almost always win. The Rays are 20-10 when they supply more than eight hits. Therefore, they need to get the bat off the ball. It has not come easy for them in 2022. The Rays rank 24th in batting average, 25th in on-base percentage, 19th in runs scored, 17th in home runs, and 22nd in slugging percentage.
Manuel Margot went 2 for 5 last night, as did Randy Arozarena. Additionally, Yandy Diaz went 2 for 4. The three hitters produced six hits combined. However, the Rays struggled to bring runners home as they left six ducks on the pond. Tampa Bay must find a way to manufacture more runs and score.
The Rays will cover the spread if they get a good outing out of Springs. Also, they need the bats to come through in the clutch. The Rays must take an early lead and hold onto it.
Why The Twins Could Cover The Spread
The Twins will have Cole Sands on the hill. Sands is 0-2 with an 8.49 EEA. He got rocked in his previous start, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks through 3 2/3 innings. Sands must perform better today to keep his spot on the big-league roster as the Twins called him up from the minors. He has the support of an offense that is excelling in 2022.
The Twins are 25-2 when they score five or more runs. Likewise, they are fifth in the majors in batting average, third in on-base percentage, eighth in runs, eighth in home runs, and sixth in slugging percentage. Their rejuvenated offense has propelled them back to the top of the standings. Arraez went 3 for 5 with four RBIs in yesterday's game. Additionally, Jorge Polanco went 2 for 5 with one RBI. Arraez is batting an unreal .367 with 33 runs and 19 RBIs. He is a valuable asset at the top of the lineup and continues to shine through. Also, Byron Buxton has produced monster stats with 17 home runs and 30 RBIs.
The Twins will cover the spread if Sands can give them a quality start. Likewise, the Twins need their offense to continue rolling. Minnesota needs five runs to win this game as the Rays do not possess a powerful offense that can outslug Minnesota.
Final Rays-Twins Prediction & Pick
The Rays will try to avoid getting swept. They seem to be one of the best teams while looking horrifically bad at times. Springs is the better pitcher and has been pitching well lately. Expect the Rays to fight tooth-and-nail in this one and salvage a victory. Asking this offense to win by two might be a little much.
Final Rays-Twins Prediction & Pick: Rays ML (-120)
