Free MLB Picks Today: Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins 6/7/23

Shawn Armstrong is lined up to make his first start of the season as the Tampa Bay Rays (44-19) take on the Minnesota Twins (31-30) at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.

The Rays took Tuesday’s series opener 7-0, their fourth straight victory overall. Zach Eflin threw 6.2 scoreless innings – striking out nine – for the win.

Luke Raley went 2 for 3 with a home run and a triple in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Jose Siri added a solo home run. Alex Kirilloff was 1 for 3 for the Twins.

ON THE MOUND

Pablo Lopez (3-3, 4.11 ERA) is in line for the start for Minnesota. The RHP ranks fourth in the AL in strikeouts (86). Lopez allowed six runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Guardians on Thursday.

He gave up eight hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision. Lopez is making his first appearance against the Rays this season. Lopez made one start against the Rays in 2022, a 4-0 road loss for the Marlins on May 24.

He surrendered four runs on nine hits over seven innings, striking out eight. Righty Armstrong (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for Tampa Bay, his first start of the season. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins.

Armstrong made one appearance against the Twins in 2022, throwing two innings in a 6-5 road defeat on June 11. He gave up two hits and walked one while striking out two.

In his last appearance on Sunday, Armstrong came on in relief on the road against the Red Sox. He threw two scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out three and walking one in the 6-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while slashing worse across the board (.209/.265/.354). Against righties like Armstrong this season, the Twins have a .720 OPS.

Joey Gallo is the team’s biggest extra-base threat against right-handers with a .509 slugging percentage in 146 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging only 5.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.8 for the season.

The Rays have a .794 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the second highest in MLB. With a 1.002 OPS over 159 at-bats, Yandy Diaz has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is 13-16 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 27-6 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.5. Minnesota is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Tropicana Field with an average scoreline of 5.2-5.0.