by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Jun 07, 2023
Game Time: 1:10 pm ET, Thursday, June 8, 2023
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Where to Watch: MLB Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Twins +140, Rays -165; Over/Under: NL runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Twins +140, Rays -165; Over/Under: NL runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Twins +140, Rays -165; Over/Under: NL runs
Season Record
Minnesota Twins: 31-30 (1st place, AL Central)
Tampa Bay Rays: 44-19 (1st place, AL East)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Twins: 5-5 last 10
Tampa Bay Rays: 6-4 last 10
Minnesota Twins vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Analysis
The Twins are entering this game on a 3 game losing streak but split their 4-game series against the Cleveland Guardians 2-2 in their last series. They enter this game with a 31-30 record overall and have a road record of 13-16. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Rays on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 21st in the MLB with a .713 OPS. Pablo López is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Bailey Ober is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 0 ER, 0 HR, and 0 BB with 3 Ks on 4 hits through 6 IP against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Rays are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak and won their 4-game series against the Boston Red Sox 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 44-19 record overall and have a home record of 27-6. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Twins on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .818 OPS. Shawn Armstrong is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Tyler Glasnow is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA this season. His team won their last game this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 earned run, 0 homers, and 3 BB with 6 strikeouts on 4 hits through 5.1 innings played against the Boston Red Sox.
Twins vs Rays Prediction
The current betting odds have the Rays listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rays are off to a great start this season with the best record in the MLB and the best offense too. They have been killing teams at home all year and the Twins haven't really been a good road team. The Twins are in 1st place in their division but they are also the only team above .500 in the AL Central. If the Twins were in the same division as the Rays, the Twins would be in last place with their record and they have been worse in road games this season. Now they have to face the best team in the league with the best home record and offense and it doesn't look good for the Twins. Glasnow is starting for the Rays and he hasn't pitched in many starts this year but he has been really good in his few starts and is coming off another great start. Ober is up for the Twins and he has also been really good this season as he does not give up many runs in his starts but the Rays still have the edge with that potent offense and their pitching has been a lot better overall too. The Rays are going to keep rolling in this series as they have been rolling at home all year. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rays to win this game.
Twins Rays Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Thursday, June 8, 2023 (1:10 pm ET start time) is Rays 5 Twins 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Minnesota Twins: 60-103 (-22.5 units) on the moneyline as an underdog of +100 or higher. 80-111 (-26.3 in road games. 27-18 OVER as an underdog of +150 or more. 68-37 OVER as a road underdog of +100 or higher.
Tampa Bay Rays: 44-19 (+20.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 27-6 (+18.9 units) on the moneyline in home games. 21-11 OVER in home games. 19-11 OVER as a home favorite of -110 or higher.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Twins: R. Lewis (SS) Ques Wed - Face. B. Buxton (DH) Out Indefinitely - Ribs. C. Sands (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. J. Gallo (1B) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. G. Celestino (CF) Late June - Thumb. N. Gordon (2B) Out indefinitely - Shin. K. Maeda (SP) Mid June - Tricep. J. Alcala (RP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. T. Mahle (SP) out for season - Elbow. C. Paddack (SP) Early Sept - Elbow.
Tampa Bay Rays: B. Lowe (2B) Out Indefinitely - Back. J. Fleming (SP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. D. Rasmussen (RP) Early Aug - Elbow. P. Fairbanks (RP) Out indefinitely - Hip. Z. Littell (RP) Mid June - Shoulder. G. Cleavinger (RP) out for season - Knee. J. Springs (RP) out for season - Elbow. S. Baz (SP) out for season - Elbow. A. Kittredge (RP) Late July - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“They threw a guy that's having one of the better seasons on the mound of anyone in the American League. That sinker and cutter, and curveball combo he has going the way he wants right now. He threw a ton of strikes. He looked like he was pounding the zone.” - Rocco Baldelli after his team’s loss against the Rays in their game on Tuesday.
“He’s just a really good pitcher that knows how to execute pitches at a level that’s really, really high.” - Kevin Cash on Zach Eflin after his team’s win against the Twins in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Twins
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Alex Kirilloff (L) 1B
Carlos Correa (R) SS
Donovan Solano (R) DH
Trevor Larnach (L) LF
Willi Castro (S) 3B
Max Kepler (L) RF
Christian Vazquez (R) C
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
Tampa Bay Rays
Yandy Diaz (R) 1B
Wander Franco (S) SS
Luke Raley (L) RF
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Taylor Walls (S) 3B
Christian Bethancourt (R) C
Vidal Brujan (S) 2B
Jose Siri (R) CF
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Twins
Batting Average: Matt Wallner (.368)
Hits: Byron Buxton (40)
Home Runs: Joey Gallo (11)
RBI: Trevor Larnach (27)
Stolen Bases: Willi Castro (11)
Wins: Joe Ryan (7)
Saves: Jhoan Duran (8)
ERA: Cole Sands (0.73)
Tampa Bay Rays
Batting Average: Yandy Diaz (.316)
Hits: Wander Franco (71)
Home Runs: Yandy Diaz (12)
RBI: Randy Arozarena (42)
Stolen Bases: Wander Franco (21)
Wins: Shane McClanahan (9)
Saves: Jason Adam (9)
ERA: Chase Anderson (0.00)
Managers:
Minnesota Twins: Rocco Baldelli (5th season)
Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Cash (9th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
