The Tampa Bay Rays (43-19), one of the best lineups in the league, are set to host the Minnesota Twins (31-29) at Tropicana Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series.
The Twins are kicking off a six-game road trip. They split their last series against the Guardians, dropping the finale 2-1 on Sunday at Target Field. Willi Castro was 1 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Rays are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a seven-game road trip (4-3). They won three of four against the Red Sox in their last series, taking the finale 4-1 on Monday at Fenway Park. Yandy Diaz went 2 for 4 with one run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Twins won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Target Field in June.
ON THE MOUND
Louie Varland (3-1, 3.51 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Minnesota. The RHP threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, an 8-2 road win over the Astros on Wednesday. He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out five and walking one.
RHP Zach Eflin (7-1, 3.30 ERA) will toe the rubber for Tampa Bay. In his last start on Wednesday, Eflin took a no-decision on the road against the Cubs.
He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out five and walking one in the 4-3 victory. The RHP is tied for third in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .233/.315/.403. Byron Buxton leads the team in OPS at .771. The center fielder is slashing .220/.325/.445 with 10 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 31 runs over 50 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Eflin this season, the Twins have a .725 OPS. Joey Gallo is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .871 OPS in 110 at-bats.
Tampa Bay is slashing .266/.342/.479 for the season and averaging 5.8 runs per game, second best in the league. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Diaz (.976). The third baseman has 12 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 40 runs scored with a slash line of .312/.405/.571.
Tampa Bay is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.230/.316/.339). The Rays have a .796 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in MLB. With a .996 OPS over 153 at-bats, Diaz also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 13-15 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 26-6 at home this season, averaging 5.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Minnesota is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Tropicana Field between the teams despite an average scoreline favoring Tampa Bay (5.7-5.5).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Guardians. The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
