Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/20/2024

Game Time: 1:10 pm ET, Thursday, June 20, 2024

Venue:  Target Field, Minneapolis, MN

Where to Watch:  BSSUN

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +105, Twins -125; Over/Under:  8 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +105, Twins -125; Over/Under:  8 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rays +105, Twins -125; Over/Under:  8 runs

Tampa Bay Rays:  34-39 (5th place, AL East)

Minnesota Twins:  41-32 (2nd place, AL Central)

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Tampa Bay Rays:  3-7 last 10

Minnesota Twins:  8-2 last 10

The Rays are entering this series off a win and lost their 3-game series against the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 34-39 record overall and have a road record of 15-16. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Twins on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. The Rays lost the series opener of this series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 27th in the MLB with a .663 OPS. Taj Bradley is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Zack Littell is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 2-5 with a 4.24 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 ER, 2 HR, and 1 BB with 2 Ks on 8 hits through 2 IP against the Atlanta Braves.

The Twins are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 4-game series against the Oakland Athletics 4-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-32 record overall and have a home record of 23-14. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Rays on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. The Twins won the 1st game of this series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 7th in the MLB with a .730 OPS. Joe Ryan is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Simeon Woods Richardson is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA this season. His team won 4 of their last 5 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 1 homer, and 4 BB with 4 strikeouts on 4 hits through 4 innings played against the Oakland Athletics.

The current betting odds have the Twins listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Twins have looked good in their games this season with their 41-32 record overall, and that record now has them in 2nd place of the AL Central, trailing behind the Cleveland Guardians. They have looked a lot better in their home games though, going 23-14 in their home games this season. Meanwhile, the Rays haven't looked good in their games this season with their 34-39 record overall which has them struggling in the AL East. They haven't looked in their road games either with their 15-16 road record. The Rays even had a chance to take the 1st game in this series but their bullpen blew a late lead and their pitching was really bad in general, considering how they had a big lead early on. The Twins have looked a lot better at home all year and they can take advantage of this pitching matchup to get another win and win this series. The Twins are going with Woods Richardson and he has been solid this season, going 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA. He did give up 4 earned runs in his last start, but the team has been playing well with him as they have won 4 of their last 5 games with him starting, and he will be looking to bounce back with a better performance at home. The Rays are going to have Littell in this game and he is 2-5 with a 4.24 ERA. He has struggled this season and he is coming off a start in which he gave up 6 earned runs in only 2 innings. The team has also lost their last 2 games with him starting, and the Twins offense has been getting hot now that they are back at home. The best way to place a bet here is on the Twins to win this game. 

Rays Twins Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Thursday, June 20, 2024 (1:10 pm ET start time) is Twins 8 Rays 3.

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Tampa Bay Rays: 34-39 (-13 units) on the moneyline in all games. 4-9 (-9.7 units) on the moneyline against AL Central opponents. 22-32 (-16.5 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. ZACK LITTELL is 6-1 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 to +150 and 10-5 UNDER in road games.

Minnesota Twins: 30-16 (+7 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 23-14 (+4 units) on the moneyline in home games. SIMEON WOODS RICHARDSON is 8-3 (+5.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 8-2 UNDER at home with a money line of -100 to -150. 24-16 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5. SIMEON WOODS RICHARDSON is 7-0 UNDER when the money line is +125 to -125.

Tampa Bay Rays:  J. Caballero (2B) Ques Wed - Calf. T. Walls (SS) Ques Wed - Illness. R. Lovelady (RP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. J. Waguespack (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. W. Franco (SS) Out indefinitely - Poss. Suspension. J. Springs (RP) Early Aug - Elbow. D. Rasmussen (RP) Mid Aug - Elbow. S. McClanahan (SP) out for season - Elbow.

Minnesota Twins:  Z. Weiss (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. J. Topa (RP) Out indefinitely - Knee. B. Stewart (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. D. Duarte (RP) out for season - Elbow. A. DeSclafani (SP) out for season - Elbow.

“Tough situation to put Phil in right there. When Pete comes in the game, you're banking he's going to be able to get through that inning one way or the other.” - Kevin Cash after his team’s loss against the Twins in their game on Tuesday.

“When the games are tight, just keep pitching well and make the plays, and then just find a way to score a run. Our lineup up and down is doing nice work.” - Rocco Baldelli after his team’s win against the Rays in their game on Tuesday.

Yandy Díaz (R) 1B

Brandon Lowe (L) 2B

Isaac Paredes (R) 3B

Josh Lowe (L) DH

Randy Arozarena (R) LF

José Caballero (R) SS

Jose Siri (R) CF

Ben Rortvedt (L) C

Jonny DeLuca (R) RF

Willi Castro (S) 2B

Trevor Larnach (L) DH

Royce Lewis (R) 3B

Max Kepler (L) RF

Carlos Correa (R) SS

Jose Miranda (R) 1B

Byron Buxton (R) CF

Ryan Jeffers (R) C

Austin Martin (R) LF

Batting Average:  Amed Rosario (.299)

Hits:  Yandy Díaz (74)

Home Runs:  Isaac Paredes (10)

RBI:  Isaac Paredes (38)

Stolen Bases:  José Caballero (22)

Wins:  Garrett Cleavinger (4)

Saves:  Pete Fairbanks (10)

ERA:  Edwin Uceta (0.00)

Batting Average:  Royce Lewis (.348)

Hits:  Willi Castro (66)

Home Runs:  Ryan Jeffers (12)

RBI:  Ryan Jeffers (37)

Stolen Bases:  Willi Castro (8)

Wins:  Pablo López (6)

Saves:  Jhoan Duran (11)

ERA:  Josh Staumont (0.00)

Managers:

Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (10th season)

Minnesota Twins: Rocco Baldelli (6th season)