The Tampa Bay Rays (35-39) and Minnesota Twins (41-33) meet Thursday for the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from Target Field is set for 1:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Twins odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Tampa Bay came away with the 3-2 win over Minnesota in 10 innings Wednesday while covering as a +154 road underdog. The Rays have won 2 of their last 3 games while Wednesday’s loss broke a 6-game win streak for Minnesota, which won the Tuesday opener 7-6.
Rays at Twins projected starters
RHP Zack Littell vs. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
Littell (2-5, 4.24 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 76 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 2 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K in a 7-3 loss to the Braves in Atlanta Friday
- Career vs. Minnesota: 0-1, 3.00 ERA (9 IP, 3 ER), 7 H, 0 BB, 9 K across 1 start and 2 relief appearances
Woods Richardson (2-1, 3.29 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 54 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K in a 6-5 win over the Oakland A’s Friday
- First career start vs. Tampa Bay
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Twins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Twins -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-185) | Twins -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Rays at Twins picks and predictions
Prediction
Twins 6, Rays 5
Moneyline
LEAN TWINS (-135).
Minnesota is 6-1 in its last 7 games at home while the Rays are only 2-3 in their last 5 road games. The Twins are also 8-2 in their last 10 overall, much hotter than Tampa Bay who is 4-6 in its last 10 outings.
Be aware the Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 matchups vs. Minnesota.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I like the Rays to cover here as +1.5 (-185) underdogs, but the line is set too heavily for me to advise betting on. Bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7.5 (-120).
The Over has hit in 2 of Minnesota’s last 3 overall and is 6-4 in its last 10 games. For Tampa Bay, the Over is 4-1 in its last 5 road outings. The Over has also hit in 2 of the last 3 Rays-Twins meetings.
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